East Coast's Extreme Cold Is Finally Coming to an End — But Other Hazards Remain

People living on the East Coast might as well have been living in Antarctica for the past week. A long blast of Arctic air sent temperatures tumbling into single digits, with wind chills making some temperatures feel well below zero.

For those who suffered through the frigid, post-apocalyptic hell, there is now a light at the end of the wind tunnel — and a warm(er) light, at that.

Per New York City's PIX11, temperatures are crawling back up into double digits — and they're there to stay. By Wednesday, temperature highs will be in the high 30s to low 40s, and lows ranging from the low 30s to high 20s. No more Arctic tundra!

Despite the warmer (but still not warm) weather, it's not all sunshine and rainbows yet. Per PIX11, the National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory, warning of freezing rain. Of course, freezing rain creates slippery roads and sidewalks, and can also lead to power outages.

The warmer weather also brings another slippery hazard: melting snow. In addition to creating slippery outdoor surfaces, melting snow and ice can cause a whole bunch of other problems. "Melting snow and ice can fall from buildings and structures without warning," NYC Emergency Management tweeted from its official account. The salty melted water can also seep underground and damage electric wires. It can even trigger manhole fires.

While it might be warmer, it's still cold enough that another snowstorm could be on the horizon. "Following weeks of severe cold, as much of the Northeast and Midwest have been experiencing, a pattern change almost always leads to storms packing wintry precipitation," wrote AccuWeather.

18 people were found dead outside in New York City during the extreme cold spell, reports The New York Times. In addition, The New York Timesreports that seven people were found dead inside their homes.