On Friday, Feb. 3, a new national record was set for the lowest windchill recorded in New Hampshire. The feat was set on the summit of Mount Washington, where the minus 46-degree temperature felt as low as minus 108 degrees due to the 127 mile-per-hour wind gusts, according to CNN. The severe weather was felt all throughout the northeast, but nowhere was it more prominent than New Hampshire.
Temperatures in Keene were recorded to be as low as minus 11 degrees, which felt even colder due to the strong winds. Citizens were strongly encouraged to stay inside, and only leave if it was absolutely necessary. Those who were unable to stay inside were advised to layer up and leave as little skin exposed to the wind as possible. Experts from resources such as Acuweather, warned that skin exposed to the wind could end up with frostbite in minutes.
First-year student Logan M. has had experience with cold weather in the past. “I’m from New England and I was in Boy Scouts, so I’ve dealt with below-zero temperatures before”. Despite his previous excursions in cold weather, Logan’s family still had empathy for the situation. “They said it probably sucked,” he said with a laugh, noting that his family hadn’t had experience with cold weather to this degree.
Junior T’kay Broderick wasn’t afraid of the impending cold. She mentioned that she did not plan ahead for the cold, deciding instead to figure it out as it occurred. Going forward, Broderick said that she will be taking more precautions, “but it might take some time…I’ll definitely be getting a jacket with a hoodie,” she proclaimed. Broderick’s family could not relate to the cold New Hampshire weather, as she mentioned that “most of my family is in Jamaica.” Broderick joked that “they can’t compare. The coldest it gets for them is like 70.”
By the end of the weekend of Feb. 4, the severe weather eased up as the wind lessened throughout the day. Despite Punxsutawney Phil’s proclamation of six more weeks of winter, weather officials have said that the worst of the cold is over now . Keene citizens can now expect more of the common February weather according to the National Weather Service. As the wind begins to ease up and the sun comes out more and more, students can begin wearing less puffer jackets and more sweatshirts.
Zach Murphy can be contacted
at zmurphy@kscequinox.com
