UNITED STATES — A narrowly focused but unusually intense Arctic airmass is sliding through the Northeast, producing one of the coldest localized temperature corridors of the winter along the I-95 stretch from Philadelphia through New York City and into southern Connecticut. Mesoscale temperature analysis shows this cold ribbon standing out sharply against surrounding regions, a setup that forecasters say is uncommon outside of specific winter patterns.
Rather than a broad blanket of cold air, this system is defined by its tight width, sharp gradients, and precise placement, making its impacts especially noticeable for major metro areas packed closely along the interstate corridor.
Why the I-95 Corridor Is the Coldest Spot Right Now
The temperature maps reveal a distinct purple-to-deep-blue band running from eastern Pennsylvania through northern New Jersey, New York City, and into New Haven, Connecticut. This indicates temperatures several degrees colder than areas just 30–50 miles away.
Meteorologically, this happens because the angle of approach of the Arctic air is nearly parallel to the coastline. Instead of flooding the entire region evenly, the cold air becomes funneled and trapped, maximizing its impact along a very specific zone…