Long Island’s Coldest Streak in Modern History

Welcome to this deep dive into one of the most remarkable weather events Long Island has seen in decades: the prolonged sub-freezing temperature streak of late January into early February 2026. At Long Island MacArthur Airport (Islip)  the primary official climate station for Long Island with records dating back to September 1963 temperatures remained at or below the freezing mark (32°F) for highs for an impressive 13 consecutive days, from January 24 through February 5, 2026.

This wasn’t just another cold snap. It marked the second-longest streak of consecutive days with high temperatures ≤32°F at Islip since reliable records began in 1963. The streak officially ended on February 2, 2026, when the temperature climbed to 33°F around 12:13 p.m., according to the National Weather Service office in New York.

Why This Streak Stands Out in Modern History

•  Duration: 13 straight days of highs never getting above freezing which was a rare and punishing stretch that outlasted even nearby New York City (Central Park ended its run at 9 days on February 2 with a high of 34°F).

•  Historical Ranking at Islip:

1.  14 days — The all-time record, set in 1979 during one of the Northeast’s most brutal cold waves.

2.  13 days — The 2026 event (tied for second place). January 24, 2026 to February 5, 2026.

3.  13 days — The previous second-place mark, from the 2017–2018 polar vortex outbreak (ended January 13, 2018).

This places the 2026 cold snap firmly in the top tier of modern records for the region — one of the longest sustained periods of sub-freezing highs in the last 60+ years at this key Long Island station.

The event was part of a broader Arctic air outbreak that gripped the Northeast, producing:

•  Record-low temperatures for specific dates (e.g., 0°F on January 31 at Islip, beating the previous mark).

•  Dangerous wind chills dipping into the negative teens and twenties.

•  Frozen bays, rivers, and coastal waters.

•  One of the coldest overall Januarys and early Februarys in recent memory.