Temperatures drop down below zero

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The snow that fell last week isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Arctic air has moved in and that sent temperatures down below zero all across western Massachusetts Thursday morning.

It got down to 6 below at Westover in Chicopee and 10 below in Orange. 22News viewers also reported readings in the single digits and below zero.

You may have had trouble starting your car this morning, or you needed a little bit more time to warm it up.

There were even large pieces of ice floating down the Connecticut River.

And something we didn't see much of at all last year, ice has already formed on area lakes and ponds.

Most of the water was frozen over at Forest Park in Springfield.

“Every duck in the city, there's no other open water. Usually you can feed them at various places like Lake Lorraine, Five Mile Pond and what not but everything is frozen solid,” said Bob Marchese of Ludlow.

Even though lakes and ponds are freezing over the ice is still not safe. It's important to check with your local fire department or parks department to find out if the ice is safe to go out on.

Despite the arctic chill, calm winds and lots of sunshine helped to make it feel a  bit more tolerable.

One woman told 22News that this is her favorite kind of weather.

“Ironically enough, winter is my favorite season, only when it's cold and it's paired with snow but once the snow melts away you can keep the bitter cold,” said Haley Mack of Springfield.

It's looking like there is more cold weather on the way.