Extreme cold closes schools and COVID testing sites

On Monday, the New Hampshire Department of Health announced that the state’s COVID-19 would close due to extreme cold weather. The sites include Claremont, Manchester, Newington and Nashua. The announcement mirrors several other northeastern states closing schools due to subzero temperatures.

According to weather experts, the Northeast can expect temperatures reaching minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. These extremely low temperatures have prompted authorities to order temporary school closures while the situation is monitored.

Related: Climate change pushes US weather to extremes

The Boston public school system announced the closure of all schools starting on Tuesday. As the largest school system in Massachusetts, its announcement means that thousands of students will be out of school. Reports indicate that the highest temperature in the city will be 12 degrees F, with wind chill making it feel like minus 8 degrees F.

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According to a National Weather Service forecast, New York City will also experience subzero temperatures. Meanwhile, Massachusetts could experience temperatures as low as minus 15 degrees F in some areas. This extreme cold could endanger school-going children, hence the school closures.

Other regions expected to experience extreme cold include New England, where forecasts say temperatures could reach minus 40 degrees F in some areas. New Hampshire and Vermont may also experience sub-zero temperatures.

Experts also say that these extremely low temperatures can cause frostbite. Frostbite can occur in as little as 30 minutes. As people struggle to stay warm, heating costs are rising. Central Maine Power has urged customers to weather-strip windows and open curtains to let in heat from the sun outside. In areas such as Boston, community centers have opened to provide those in need with a place to get warm. 

According to a forecast from the National Weather Service, temperatures are expected to rise to more comfortable levels going into Thursday.

Via HuffPost

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