Wisconsinites are set to receive a reminder of what the term “Bitter” means when dealing with winter weather, as a direct route from the Arctic to the Midwest has been opened in the atmosphere. With the passage of a cold front late Friday, no barriers exist between the Northwest Territories of Canada and the Arctic Ocean, and the coldest weather of the season so far is on the way. As a result, the National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory beginning at 3 a.m. Sunday until 9 p.m. Monday covering southern Wisconsin except for Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha Counties where the advisory begins at 9 p.m. Sunday.
In general, Sheboygan County temperatures will linger in the upper teens to low 20s during daylight hours on Saturday, while brisk winds push windchills to near zero. By daybreak on Sunday, actual temperatures will likely be below zero while windchill readings could hit 22 degrees below. Those wind chill readings may not relent by more than a few degrees before plunging to near 30 below in the pre-dawn hours on Monday as actual temperatures approach 10 below. In case that doesn’t sink in, a repeat that may outperform even that awaits overnight into Tuesday when the core of the cold allows wind chills to reach into the low 30s below according to some forecast models.
The most dangerous periods to be outdoors without proper protection will be between midnight and 9 a.m. both Monday and Tuesday. Improper clothing could result in hypothermia, and frostbite can occur in minutes without protection. Exposure to the outdoors by pets should be limited to only what’s necessary, and paws should be covered if possible outdoors, and then checked for trouble once inside. Buildings with pipes in under-insulated outside walls and attics can freeze, and so keeping a trickle of water running may be needed to prevent burst pipes.
If traveling, keep a vehicle’s fuel tank at least half full. Maintain tire pressure, which drops in cold weather. Pack extra blankets and a safety kit, and let family or friends know of your plans.
As of now, forecasts indicate dry weather with the exception of some flurries late Tuesday, and relief from the extreme cold is expected Wednesday through the rest of the week with highs recovering to the 20s and lows staying around 10 above.
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