Bone chilling cold hits western Mass.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Western Massachusetts woke up very cold this morning, with high temperatures Wednesday expected to be the coldest of this winter so far.

Here's how cold overnight lows dropped at some of our local reporting spots:

Chicopee: 5º

North Adams: 2º

Orange: 3º

Pittsfield: -2º

Westfield: 6º

While temperatures HAVE been colder overnight on previous nights this winter, high temperatures in the teens on Wednesday will be the coldest we've seen ALL season. In fact, if high temperatures in Chicopee stay below 17 degrees, today (Wednesday) will be the coldest day of our last two winters.

Temperatures tonight are expected to be colder, dropping below zero in many locations.

A Wind Chill Advisory has been issued for parts of western Massachusetts for tonight.

The Wind Chill Advisory for most of the Pioneer Valley (except central/eastern Hampden County) is in effect from 7PM until 10AM Thursday

A Wind Chill Advisory is issued when the wind chill index will reach -15 to -24 degrees for at least three hours.

Exposing skin to these wind chills could result in frostbite or worse within half an hour.

The wind chill is the temperature it "feels" like on exposed skin when you combine cold temperatures with windy conditions.

Wearing layers and covering up as much exposed skin as possible is your best bet to protecting yourself from permanent damage from the cold.

Thursday won't be much warmer with highs close to 20 degrees and overnight lows again dropping below or close to zero on Friday morning.

We'll stay cold through the weekend, but a slow warming trend is on the way.

Take a look at temperatures that could get ABOVE freezing with our 22News Storm team Forecast: Click Here

For a check of current temperatures and wind chill readings: Click Here