The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning North Country residents or cold water and wind dangers this weekend, especially to those recreating on waterways.
The warm air temperatures this weekend in the upper 60s to lower
70s may cause people to underestimate the dangers of the cold water temperatures which are currently only in the upper 40s to lower 50s across Lake Champlain and area rivers, NWS says.
The cold water temperatures can quickly cause hypothermia to
anyone immersed in the water, the service says.
According to the US Coast Guard, when the water temperatures are below 50 degrees, the chance of immediate incapacitation due to cold shock is extremely high.
Anyone on small boats, canoes or kayaks should plan accordingly
if recreating this weekend and use extreme caution to avoid this
threat. Paddle smart from the start and always wear your life
jacket.
Strong winds are also expected through this afternoon with gusts
up to 28 mph from the south, NWS says. If boating on large bodies of water, these strong winds can increase the likelihood of overturning your boat, canoe or kayak due to increased wave heights.
A high temp near 68 is expected today with moderate winds and gusts expected, forecasters say. An overnight low around 49 is predicted.
The extended forecast through next Friday is as follows:
Sunday
A chance of showers before 9am, then scattered showers after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. West wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday Night
Scattered showers, mainly before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Northwest wind around 7 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 64. North wind 7 to 9 mph.
Monday Night
Clear, with a low around 41. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 53. South wind 3 to 6 mph.
Wednesday
A 30 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Southwest wind 9 to 13 mph.
Wednesday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind 11 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Northeast wind 6 to 9 mph.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Northeast wind 9 to 11 mph.
