Extreme Cold Moves In Starting Today

Photo from NWS Milwaukee

Dangerous, life-threatening cold is moving
into the region for the next 72 hour period. The National Weather Service has
issued a Wind Chill Advisory for the day today – as air temperatures are expected
to be in the single digits below zero with wind chills between 20 to 35 below
zero. The extreme cold really settles in tonight and lasts all the way through
Wednesday, as the weather service has placed a Wind Chill Warning into effect
starting at 6 pm tonight and lasting until Noon on Thursday. Lows tonight and
Wednesday night will be in the 20s below zero, with highs Wednesday only
reaching the teens below zero. Wind chills during that period will be as cold
as 55 below zero in some spots. Highs will be around seven below zero for Thursday,
before finally climbing into the plus-teens by Friday.

County Communications and Emergency
Management Director Bobbi Hicken says this type of cold can be deadly if you
aren’t prepared. “This is going to be brutal and life-threatening. If you are
out in this weather and you get stranded and you’re not wearing proper clothing
for it, it can be deadly, and people need to take this very seriously,” Hicken said.
“These are very dangerous temperatures that people and animals do not belong
out in. If you do not have to travel, if you do not have to go out in this cold
weather, you really should not,” she said. Hicken says it’s a good idea to
reschedule or change your plans to ensure you are safe and to avoid any chance
of your car breaking down or you getting in a life-threatening situation.