You may want to dig out the wool socks and thermal underwear over the next few days.

A blast of bitter cold temperatures is moving into southern New Brunswick starting Monday.

Temperatures on Monday night are expected to reach a low of around -18°C in our area.

However, gusty winds will make that temperature feel closer to -30 overnight Monday and early Tuesday, giving a risk of frostbite.

It will be even colder on Tuesday night with lows ranging from -21°C to -25°C across southern New Brunswick.

Daytime highs will also be much colder than normal, reaching -10°C on Tuesday and -14°C on Wednesday.

However, the bitter cold is expected to be short-lived, with a return to more seasonal temperatures expected starting Thursday.

Colder temperatures mean more people will likely be turning up their thermostats in order to stay warm.

NB Power said its teams are working around the clock to ensure the power grid stays strong during the period of high demand expected.

“From monitoring energy loads to implementing proactive measures like activating demand response programs, coordinating with our neighbouring utilities and making sure our generation fleet is ready to handle higher production needs, we’re here to keep the lights on,” the utility said in a social media post.

Meanwhile, Saint John Energy is encouraging customers to reduce energy use during “critical times” between 8 and 10 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday as it anticipates a peak in electricity demand.

Officials say peaks like this are very costly, not just financially but also environmentally as generation plants that rely on fossil fuels have to be brought online to help meet that demand.

There are things you can do to help reduce electricity demand such as lowering the temperature of your thermostat, delaying turning the dishwasher on, taking a shorter shower, or showering before or after the peak.