Temperatures in New Jersey were the coldest they have been in three years on Tuesday. 

In order to keep people safe, warming centers were opened to help the homeless and those who don't have heat.

St. Lucy's Shelter in Jersey City welcomed people to warm up inside through 3 p.m.

In New Brunswick, about a dozen people sought refuge from the cold overnight at Unity Square Community Center in New Brunswick.

The place turned into a warming center Monday from 7 p.m. through 7 a.m. after the city issued a code blue. That’s when warming centers open to help those who are homeless as temperatures dip below freezing.

“This is definitely a blessing to be able to have some place to stay in the cold at night instead of on the streets, because this is a very harsh environment,” says Cedric Johnson, of New Brunswick.

In downtown New Brunswick, not many people braved the bone-chilling cold. Rutgers students attended classes virtually.

Some people say you had to be prepared for Mother Nature before you went out the door today.

"I went out to my car 15 minutes earlier to warm it up and get rid of whatever residual ice that was there. And as you can see, I’m all bundled up nice and toasty, ready to head back to my office with a nice cup of java,” says Randall Fedone, of New Brunswick.

Warming centers will be open in Hudson County from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. now through Jan. 19. For a list of warming centers open across New Jersey, click HERE.