For those across northern New England, air temperatures early in the morning were in the single digits and in some areas were dropping below zero, with wind chills creating temperatures as low as -35 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures were so low they were visible on infrared satellite.
Local news channels, including CBS Boston, warned people to stay indoors, as frostbite can occur within 30 minutes. Residents were also asked to check in on vulnerable family members, neighbors and pets, and to leave water taps running so pipes would not burst.
For those who live in areas surrounding the Great Lakes, lake effect snow alerts were in effect, resulting in a snow band reported to have stretched for 250 miles, from eastern Lake Ontario to western Massachusetts. Specified areas may see up to 2 feet of snow as a result.
The temperatures are a stark contrast to past readings, especially considering the region experienced its warmest December on record, with Maine and New Hampshire having their second warmest years on record. As global warming due to human-induced climate change continues without letup, the six-warmest years for the US since record-keeping began have all occurred since 2012.