Gov. Activates Connecticut’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol Beginning at 5 pm on Christmas Day

CT Cold weather protocol in effect from 5:00 pm, Thursday, Dec. 25, through 10:00 am Sunday, Dec 28

December 24, 2025 (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is activating Connecticut’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol beginning at 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 25, 2025, and remaining in effect until 10:00 am on Sunday, December 28, 2025, due to a blast of arctic conditions that will impact the state during this period, including wind chills during the overnight hours that are expected to drop into the single digits and near zero in some areas.

The protocol is designed to protect the most vulnerable populations from severe cold, which can be life-threatening with prolonged exposure. When activated, state agencies and municipalities coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to ensure anyone in need can access shelter, including transportation from the outdoors.

Anyone in need of shelter or a warming center is urged to visit 211ct.org or call 2-1-1 to find available locations. Transportation can be provided if necessary.

Please bring your pets inside; they are susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite, just like we are. If it's too cold for you, it's too cold for them.

Public Act 22-59 Tethering and Adequate Shelter law states: when either a weather advisory or warning is issued by the National Weather Service, or outdoor environmental conditions, including, but not limited to, extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, snow or hail, pose an adverse risk to the health or safety of a dog based on such dog’s breed, size, age, thickness of coat or physical condition, no person shall (1) tether such dog outdoors to a stationary object or mobile device, including, but not limited to, a trolley or pulley, unless such tethering is for a duration of not more than 15 minutes, or (2) fail to provide such dog adequate shelter for a duration of more than fifteen minutes, unless such person is in the presence of such dog and outdoors during such advisory or warning or exposed to such outdoor environmental conditions.

If you see something, say something. Contact your local Animal Control Officer and local authorities, providing them with as much detail as possible.