The harsh cold wave has put a drain on energy use and poses health problems for those outdoors, experts say.
Temperatures have remained below freezing without a break since Jan. 13. Meteorologist Kip Hogan of the National Weather Service said the cold weather is coming from an area of low pressure from northeast Canada.
"As a result of that, we've been getting a dry northwest flow, bringing cold arctic air," Hogan said. "There hasn't been a real break yet because another front comes in reinforcing the other one. It just keeps on coming."
There is some hope that after one more frigid night, the mercury should start rising to temperatures more normal for January - somewhere in the mid- to lower 30s, Hogan said.
"Finally, the pattern changes on Sunday," he said. "Things will actually start improving. But don't count on a big-time warm up, just generally fair weather. A westerly flow will cause a break for a few days at least, making it a little bit warmer and more bearable." Although it may feel like the coldest winter yet, Hogan said it isn't extraordinary.
"It's only unusual considering the last several years, but, in the past, low temperatures like these have not been unheard of," he said. "We've just had warmer winter weather for some years now, but without any real long stretches lasting as long as this." Record low or not, residents are going to see the effects of the cold spell on their utility bills.
Three days ago, on Jan. 22, New England hit a new record for winter electricity usage of 21,597 megawatts, according to preliminary data from ISO New England Inc., a corporation that grids electrical usage for Connecticut Light & Power.
And for those who are outdoors, Dr. Robert Femia, the medical director of emergency medicine at Greenwich Hospital, recommended dressing in layers and using common sense.
"There are a lot of things that can happen to you in the cold," Femia said. "The most common is frost nip - a tingling feeling and numbness. That is a warning sign to go inside and get warm." Andrew Bainbridge, 28, has been braving the cold each day while waiting for Metro-North Railroad trains.
"It's freezing out on the platform, but I make sure I stay bundled up," said Bainbridge, who commutes from Milford to Greenwich.
Although temperatures will rise into the lower 30s by tomorrow and into the mid-30s by Tuesday, Femia still urges people to stay covered up to avoid cold weather-related injuries.