MA Weather Outlook: Frigid Temps Projected For This Week

MASSACHUSETTS — If you thought Tuesday was cold enough, just wait for it. Bitter cold temperatures are heading for New England, and they're not going anywhere. Yep, on the heels of the Christmas snow dump, these low temps will be with us through the weekend. Weather forecasters are using the word "arctic" to describe the temps this week if that gives you any idea of what we're working with.

The Boston area will see highs around 21 degrees Wednesday and in the teens Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Worcester will see a high of around 16 on Tuesday and will dip close to single digits Thursday.

The folks in North Adams have the worst of it with a high of 14 degrees for Wednesday and 6 degrees Thursday. It looks like the Cape and Islands are the warmest spots in the state Wednesday and Thursday (not counting the wind).

If those are the highs, the bad news is really for the lows. Wind chill factors will drop "real-feel" temperatures below zero in some areas. Check out the map below, which is covered in a lot of blue for "burrrr."

Forecasters from Weather.com are talking about a possible snow storm this weekend thanks to another coastal storm. But we'll get to that later.

Still, it could be worse? On this day seven years ago more than a foot of snow fell in the Berkshires and along eastern Mass., but in the years since? Not much.

The takeaway? Bundle up this week. Wear layers, hats, mittens and scarves to avoid hypothermia and frost bite. Check out this chart from the weather service showing how long it takes to get frostbite with exposed skin in various conditions.

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch