The coldest air of this winter season is upon us. Most of the schools and activities across the region are called off for the next couple of days.
We have a link to the WJFW TV page with the school cancelations at the top of this page. Listen to WXPR for other cancelations.
At Oneida County Emergency Management, spokesperson Dawn Robinson says don't travel unless it's absolutely necessary. She says people should have prepared for the extreme cold ahead of time, but make sure your heaters are ok and you should have enough supplies on hand to weather the cold snap.
She says simply be careful if you do go outdoors...
"..If you do have to travel, make sure you look at where you're going to travel. Make sure you have a full tank of gas. Let someone know you're travel route. Let them know when you expect to get there and let them know you have arrived. Make sure you have your emergency kit in your vehicle...'
That emergency kit includes blankets and warm drinks, and food like granola bars. She says animals must be protected.
Governor Tony Evers has declared a State of Emergency for the entire state of Wisconsin in response to the ongoing winter storm and the dangerous wind chills that will blanket the state the rest of the week. Temperatures will fall well below and will not rise back above until Friday. The life-threatening cold air will cover the state overnight with lows of -15 to -25 with wind chills from -35 to -50.
The Governor's Executive Order directs all state agencies to assist if there are any emergency response and recovery efforts associated with the snowstorm and cold. State offices remain open to the public and to all state employees.
The extreme cold is upon us...but relief is in sight.
Ken Krall spoke with WJFW TV Chief Meteorologist Geoff Weller about a quickly changing weather outlook....
"...This is the Polar Vortex over us right now, centered over parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. As that moves off, it's not uncommon to have a reverse effect to have some warm air flood in behind it and that is what is going to happen with this system as well.(Krall)_'basically back to normal by this weekend or slightly above'...Normal temperatures now are 22 for a high and 5 for a low. Keeping that in perspective, temperatures tonight will be around -25. We'll get up around 30(above) Saturday and Sunday and some rain or snow showers arrive Sunday and Monday. Rain farther south but more likely snow across the Northwoods Sunday and Monday..."
WJFW TV Chief Meteorologist Geoff Weller with Ken Krall.
