The New England area is getting ready for frigid temperatures as some states introduced the closures of colleges and COVID-19 testing websites forward of the acute chilly.

The world will see an "arctic blast" with temperatures beneath freezing and chilly wind chills on Tuesday, in line with the Nationwide Climate Service.

Officers for Boston's public college district introduced on Monday the closure of all colleges for Tuesday due to the frigid temperatures.

Forecasts in Boston present the excessive will solely attain round 12 levels Fahrenheit (minus 11 C), with temperatures feeling closers to minus 8 (minus 22 C) due to the wind chills, in line with the Nationwide Climate Service forecast.

"We need to be sure there is not any danger of scholars being both out within the chilly on the way in which to highschool or having points at school due to the air flow that is wanted with the pandemic," mentioned Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

New Hampshire determined to shut 4 state COVID-19 testing websites in Claremont, Manchester, Nashua, and Newington because of the dangerously chilly climate anticipated within the space, in line with the New Hampshire Division of Well being and Human Providers.

The Nationwide Climate Service web site warned individuals who select to enterprise out into the chilly to decorate in heat layers as uncovered pores and skin can result in hypothermia or frostbite. When open air attempt to discover shelter away from the wind however ideally keep indoors as a lot as doable.

Weather Closes COVID-19 Testing Sites
New England states announce the closure of COVID-19 testing websites and colleges forward of frigid temperatures. Above, individuals enter a COVID-19 testing web site on February 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. A big winter storm dropped heavy snow throughout the area. David Ryder/Getty Photos

Temperatures that low can lead to frostbite to uncovered pores and skin in as little as half-hour.

It might really feel as little as minus 15 (minus 26 C) in some areas of Massachusetts, in line with the climate service.

Forecasters mentioned wind chill might method minus 40 levels Fahrenheit (minus 40 C) in some elements of western Maine. Central Maine Energy, the biggest utility within the state, mentioned it expects to see an increase in electrical energy utilization on Tuesday due to the usage of electrical area heaters and fireplaces.

The utility mentioned it's encouraging clients to climate strip home windows and open drapes to let in warmth from the solar and permit daylight to cut back reliance on electrical energy in the course of the chilly spell.

"We regularly see elevated electrical energy utilization with chilly temperatures like what is predicted this week," mentioned CMP vice chairman of customer support Linda Ball.

Low temperatures beneath zero, not together with the wind chill, are additionally anticipated in Burlington, Vermont, and Harmony, New Hampshire. Southern New England is unlikely to be spared, as forecasters mentioned Windfall, Rhode Island, ought to count on a wind chill worth of as little as minus one diploma Fahrenheit (minus 17 C).

The Related Press contributed to this report.