RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina has plunged into the deep freeze.
Some of the coldest air in years settled across the state Tuesday morning.
Temperatures early Tuesday ranged from 8 degrees below zero in Boone to 20 degrees on Cape Hatteras. Wind chills ranged from 36 below zero in Boone to 6 at Cape Hatteras and Lumberton.
Forecasters said the high temperatures across much of the state would not get above freezing Tuesday.
The North Carolina Zoo was closed Tuesday because of the excessive cold. Appalachian State University in Boone was also closed.. A number of school systems across the state delayed classes, while some others were closed for the day.
The bitter chill won’t last too long. Forecasters expect temperatures to return to normal or above normal levels by the weekend.