MA Buckles Down As Coldest Air In Years Puts State In Deep Freeze

The coldest air of the season has Massachusetts in its frozen grip, with high temperatures struggling to get out of single digits and wind chills sitting dangerously below zero.

In Boston, forecasters are saying temperatures will get as high as 11 degrees, with wind chills getting as low as minus-8. Wednesday morning will be even colder — potentially the coldest in three years — with Boston looking at 7-degree temperatures.

There will be a wind chill advisory for parts of the central and western parts of the state, with wind chills as low as minus-23 possible. The National Weather Service said the "arctic blast" originated in Utqiaġvik, Alaska.

It's so cold that many of the state's largest school districts, including its biggest in Boston, are canceling class for at least Tuesday.

"Temperatures are expected to be quite cold with a wind chill, so just to prioritize the safety of our students, and especially given the staffing issues that we’re seeing in schools and with our school bus drivers as well, we want to make sure there’s no risk of students being either out in the cold on the way to school, or having issues in school because of the ventilation that’s needed with the pandemic," Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said Monday.

The MBTA is asking commuters to allow for extra time as the bitter cold coupled with snow and ice left over from Friday's storm could hamper operations.

Many COVID-19 testing sites will also shut down, adding to the wait for people who have found it difficult to be tested amid massive wait times.

If there's good news, it's that the extreme cold won't last very long. It will eventually thaw out into the 30s Wednesday, but winds will keep it far from mild.

The cold is more than a nuisance — it's a danger. Frostbite at some of the more extreme wind chills can occur within 30 minutes. Emergency officials are urging people to stay inside and layer up if they need to venture outdoors.

"Dangerous temps today," State Police tweeted Tuesday morning. "Motorists should make sure they have adequate gas, charged phone & blankets/extra jackets in case they break down & have to wait for help. Also-it’s against law to keep pets tethered outdoors in these conditions. Pls don’t leave them in a parked car either."

The cold is already making for a harsh environment for some. In Boston, emergency crews were working in the brutal cold to get a handle on a water main break that flooded milk street.