Framingham Preps For Extreme Cold: Warming Areas, Forecast

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Mayor Charlie Sisitsky has convened the city’s Emergency Management staff to address public safety concerns with regard to the frigid temperatures during the upcoming weekend.

Friday will start off bitterly cold with temperatures in the mid-teens or lower across most of the state. At 10 a.m., rare wind chill warnings will go into effect across the entire state with winds pushing temperatures down to -30 between Worcester and Boston — ditto for the South Shore and Cape Cod.

The worst of the arctic air will hit areas like Fitchburg and North Adams with wind chills at -40 possible, according to the National Weather Service.

High wind gusts could reach 50 mph in Provincetown and Gloucester. Gusts will only be slightly weaker from Boston to all points west at between 35 and 45 mph, according to forecasts.

"In addition to the dangerously cold wind chills, strong winds will accompany the arctic air mass. Northwest wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph are expected Friday into Friday night. Any power outages would be a concern given the dangerous cold," the National Weather Service said.

Framingham’s libraries will be open normal weekend hours, and people in need of a place to get warm may go to either library:

• Main Library, 49 Lexington St., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Christa McAuliffe Branch, 746 Water Street, Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The City’s Emergency Management staff has partnered with SMOC- South Middlesex Opportunity Council. SMOC will have extra staff, cots and meals available this weekend at their 3 Merchant Rd. Facility.

Additionally, during routine patrols, Framingham police and fire officials will be on watch and conduct outreach to people in need by offering transportation to the SMOC facility, officials said.