Break out the thermal long johns, double up on the socks and, casting humiliation aside, pull on that fur hat with the ear flaps.

Baby, it's cold outside.Temperatures across the region this morning ranged from -3 at the Allentown International Airport to -7 degrees at Mount Pocono, said National Weather Service meteorologist Kristin Kline."Temperatures are starting off right around zero," she said.According to longtime local weather observer Ron Yurchak, it was -2 degrees in Tamaqua. In Lehighton, an employee of the Central Carbon Municipal Authority said the thermometer read -2.6 degrees.Most area school districts delayed classes for two hours to spare students exposure to the sub-zero temperatures.Carbon County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Nalesnik said the frigid temperatures have not prompted the opening of any shelters, although his agency would be able to quickly set one up if need be. Nalesnik said as long as people have electric power, shelters are typically not needed. Nalesnik steers isolated cases of people whose heating systems have failed to appropriate agencies that can help them."If the numbers build, then we would open a shelter," he said.The good news is that temperatures are expected to climb to about 19 degrees today. The bad news is that clouds will be rolling in, in advance of a snowstorm forecast for midweek.The National Weather Service is forecasting a 30 percent chance of snow, starting after 1 a.m. Tuesday. with a low of 15 degrees overnight. On Tuesday, temperatures are expected to hover at around 35 degrees, with a 20 percent chance of snow. Wednesday, Old Man Winter is expected to deliver a sucker-punch of snow, sleet and freezing rain, followed by snow Wednesday night and a chance of snow on Thursday. How much snow will accumulate remains to be seen, although AccuWeather on Monday morning was forecasting between two and three inches.Temperatures are expected to be around 31 degrees on Wednesday, dipping to 23 degrees at night and rising to about 32 degrees on Thursday.The extremely low temperatures have heating companies scurrying to keep oil tanks, coal bins and gas tanks full.Steve Ohl, of R.F. Ohl Heating Oil and Propane, said people are experiencing higher-than-average number of system breakdowns "because heating systems are running constantly. The phones are going crazy, people are panicked because their oil tanks are down to a quarter."He urged people to monitor their fuel tanks and to call to give their suppliers time to deliver. Tanks should be refilled when they are at 30 percent for propane and a quarter tank for oil. Ohl also suggested people talk to their suppliers about automatic delivery.The state Department of Transportation urges drivers to be ready for winter driving conditions by making sure their vehicles - windshield wipers, batteries and tires - are in good condition. Be sure to check antifreeze and oil levels, and make sure headlights are working. Allow extra time to reach your destination in bad weather and check road conditions.PennDOT also urges drivers to carry emergency kits with extra blankets, water, nonperishable food, flashlights, flares, first aid supplies, a small shovel, cell phone and car charger.While it's cold, Yurchak said he's seen colder."About 15 year ago, it was 10 or 12 below. That's about the coldest I've ever recorded," he said.The region has, indeed, endured comparable cold snaps. On Jan. 17, 2009, a temperature of -14 was recorded at Mount Pocono. On Feb. 5, 1996, temperatures in Allentown plunged to -6 degrees, and dipped even further the next day, with -8 degrees recorded on Feb. 6, 1996, Kline said.