Brockton area to be hit by 'arctic blast,' below-zero temps this weekend

Christopher Butler, The Enterprise
·4 min read

BROCKTON — Residents of New England are set to be hit by an "arctic blast" this weekend, experiencing not only some of the coldest temperatures of this winter so far, but, in Brockton, some of the coldest temperatures the city has seen in the month of February.

The blast is expected to begin Friday, with temperatures in Brockton hitting a high of 27 degrees during the day, and dipping as low as minus 7 degrees Friday night, potentially breaking the record for the lowest temperature in Brockton on Feb. 4, according to the National Weather Service.

The cold will continue through the weekend, with a high of 12 degrees and a low of 9 degrees on Saturday, with wind gusts blowing more than 30 mph.

The blast is expected to die down by Sunday, with temperatures in the day reaching 42 degrees and a low of 30 degrees. Heavy winds, however, are still expected Sunday before calming down to 17 mph by Sunday night.

By Monday, temperatures will stay between the mid 40s and low 20s.

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Will the weekend break bone-chilling records in Brockton?

According to data recorded by the National Weather Service (NWS), the coldest temperature recorded in Brockton since 1894 was a bone-chilling minus 19 degrees on Feb. 9, 1934. Just a few months prior, on Dec. 29, 1933, Brockton witnessed the coldest "high" temperature of minus 4 degrees.

Although this weekend won't be breaking record colds in Brockton's history, it is a freezing outlier compared to a typical February and could shatter the record for Feb. 4.

Prior to this weekend, the coldest temperature recorded on Feb. 4 was minus 3 degrees in 1989. Friday's expected low of minus 7 could surpass the previous record if the cold carries over into Saturday.

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The coldest "high" temperature recorded on the same day measured at 15 degrees in 1996.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in Brockton during early February typically range from high 30s to low 20s.

The NWS does not directly measure temperatures in Brockton, but does track and record the data it receives from its local partners. NWS measures the weather in Providence, Boston and Worcester.

Predicted temps at a glance

Friday: High of 27 degrees, low of minus 7 degrees

Saturday: High of 12 degrees, low of 9 degrees

Sunday: High of 42 degrees, low of 30 degrees

Staying safe and warm

A long walk to sled at D.W. Field Park's tower hill in Brockton after a blizzard on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. (Photo: Marc Vasconcellos/The Enterprise)
A long walk to sled at D.W. Field Park's tower hill in Brockton after a blizzard on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. (Photo: Marc Vasconcellos/The Enterprise)

After experiencing record-breaking heat in July and August, Brockton will now face the extreme cold of February.

“Many people are spending more time at home these days. As home has become our school and workplace, we may be using and taxing our heating appliances more than ever," said State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey in a statement.

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According to a recent statement from Brockton Fire Department Chief Brain Nardelli, "In 2019, Massachusetts fire departments responded to 1,381 heating related fires that caused one death, 19 injuries, 17 firefighter injuries, one civilian death and $5.5 million in property damage."

“No one thinks fire will happen to them, but having working smoke alarms on every level of your home will make sure you have time to escape if one does occur," he said.

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Jazmine Bradsher, Brockton's director of social services, said there are roughly 50 to 60 people in Brockton currently experiencing chronic homelessness. A spokesperson for Mayor Robert Sullivan said that the city is making plans with Father Bill's & MainSpring homeless shelter, as well as Brockton's emergency management team, to provide heating units to those experiencing homelessness, and a designated warming area in the city.

The National Weather Service is advising residents to make preparations for a snap of extreme cold this weekend.
The National Weather Service is advising residents to make preparations for a snap of extreme cold this weekend.

Ways to stay safe this winter

  • Make sure there are working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home and outside each bedroom.

  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly and change batteries twice a year, when you change the clocks.

  • Create a home escape plan and hold home fire drills to practice the plan.

  • Practice home fire safety and set a good example for the children

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton cold weather: Artic blast to bring below zeros temperatures