Please Take Note: Wind Chill Advisory

[Matthew J Davis]

Dear Undergraduates,

I hope all is well, and that you are enjoying this three-day Valentine's Day/President's Day Weekend.

As you may be aware, this evening and tomorrow morning will be especially cold; the last time Boston experienced weather as cold was in 2004. If you are going to be outside between 10:00PM tonight and 10:00AM tomorrow morning, please be advised that the actual temperature will be below zero (0) degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius), and the wind chill effect will make it seem as if it is around negative-thirty (-30) degrees Fahrenheit (-34 degrees Celsius).

In such conditions, according to the National Weather Service<http://www.google.org/publicalerts/alert?aid=fccad7b6c1e194d8&hl=en&gl=US&source=web>, "A wind chill index below -30 can bring about frostbite in as little as 10 minutes. Outdoor exposure should be limited. If you are heading outdoors, dress in layers and keep your hands and head covered to protect against frostbite." While I am hopeful that students will not get frostbite, perhaps the key takeaway is that if you are not properly dressed tonight, you may not have an optimally pleasant evening.

Please also note that temperatures on the Charles River can be much colder than temperatures on land<http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/charles_river_basin>, and wind speeds are much higher. If you are walking across the Harvard Bridge, warm clothing should definitely be a consideration.

Accordingly, if you have plans this evening, whether that is going to the grocery store, heading to the symphony or partying hard, please be sure to completely cover your body with some form of insulating material (jacket, gloves, head cover, or other creative coverings).

Have a wonderful weekend, and have fun!

Sincerely,

Matthew Davis
Class of 2016
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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