Many ski areas plan to suspend lift operations

Many ski areas plan to suspend lift operations Friday — and possibly Saturday — as frigid weather brings wind chills as high as minus 40. Jay Peak, Smugglers Notch, Pico, and Bolton are among those resorts hitting the pause button today. Jay officials say the mountain will likely be on a limited schedule Saturday but that the final schedule won’t be determined until that morning.

Brutally cold weather is expected to hit the region today, causing life-threatening conditions through the first part of the weekend. The National Weather Service has issued Wind Chill Watches for most of our region from early today through tomorrow afternoon, with wind chills reaching as low as 45 below zero. With wind chills potentially reaching more than 40 below zero, authorities are urging extreme safety over the next 48 hours.  While meteorologists and state officials are urging Vermonters to stay inside, not everyone can. The Vermont State Police will be providing ‘freeze patrols’ on the Interstates. Troopers traveling the length of the Interstates — both 89 and 91 — throughout the entirety of the night, to ensure that there are not any stranded motorists, rendering assistance as quickly as possible.