{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.731e7411df13b1f50f01988db2c5d450df3820ae.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Special Weather Statement issued May 16 at 4:46PM EDT by NWS Burlington VT","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-05-16","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.731e7411df13b1f50f01988db2c5d450df3820ae.001.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Burlington VT"},"word_count":295,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Special Weather Statement: Special Weather Statement issued May 16 at 4:46PM EDT by NWS Burlington VT\n\n**Severity:** Moderate\n**Certainty:** Observed\n**Urgency:** Expected\n**Areas:** Northern St. Lawrence; Northern Franklin; Eastern Clinton; Southeastern St. Lawrence; Southern Franklin; Western Clinton; Western Essex; Eastern Essex; Southwestern St. Lawrence; Grand Isle; Western Franklin; Orleans; Essex; Western Chittenden; Lamoille; Caledonia; Washington; Western Addison; Orange; Western Rutland; Eastern Franklin; Eastern Chittenden; Eastern Addison; Eastern Rutland; Western Windsor; Eastern Windsor\n**Issued by:** NWS Burlington VT\n**Sent:** 2026-05-16T16:46:00-04:00\n**Effective:** 2026-05-16T16:46:00-04:00\n**Expires:** 2026-05-17T05:00:00-04:00\n\n## Description\n...Please check with state and local authorities regarding\nguidelines for allowed activities...\n\n* The warm air temperatures this weekend in the mid 70s to low 80s\nmay cause people to underestimate the dangers of the cold water\ntemperatures, which are currently only in the mid 40s to mid 50s\nacross Lake Champlain and the smaller lakes and rivers.\n\n* The cold water temperatures can quickly cause hypothermia to\nanyone immersed in the water. According to the US Coast Guard,\nwhen the water temperatures are below 50 degrees, the chance of\nimmediate incapacitation due to cold shock is extremely high.\nAnyone on small boats, canoes or kayaks should plan accordingly\nif recreating this weekend and use extreme caution to avoid this\nthreat. Paddle smart from the start and always wear your life\njacket!\n\n* South winds this evening 10-15 knots will become southwest\novernight, then northwest by midday Sunday. If boating on large\nbodies of water, these winds can increase the likelihood of\noverturning your boat, canoe or kayak due to increased wave\nheights.\n\n* Due to recent rain, area rivers continue to run fast with swift\nwater currents. The swift water can easily overturn a kayak or\ncanoe into the frigid river waters. Once in the cold water, the\nstrong currents will make it difficult to reach safety."}