Weather experts warn Wisconsinites to prep for cold weekend

Wisconsinites should start preparing for a freezing cold weekend.

Going into Friday, high temperatures are expected to remain below zero across much of Wisconsin. Wind chills are expected to plummet to some of the coldest readings meteorologists have seen this winter. Temperatures may not rise above 20 degrees until the last couple days of January. 

Some areas will likely see wind chills of -30 to -40 degrees this weekend. 

The National Weather Service is warning of dangerous cold across much of the state beginning Thursday evening. Snow is also expected through Wednesday in the south central and southeast areas of the state.

Kevin Skow is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in La Crosse. He said the weather this January has been “kind of a whiplash.”

“We had some much warmer temperatures about a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re turning back to cold again,” Skow said. “Typically, this is our average climatological coldest time of the year, where some of our record values are down in the -20s and -30s for low temperatures.”

He said residents should keep a close eye on the forecast and look at possibly postponing any outdoor activities they have for Friday.

“The one saving grace with the cold is we don’t have much snow with this,” he said.

Kurt Kotenberg is with the National Weather Service in Green Bay. He said Wisconsinites should not underestimate the cold weather.

“These temperatures are extremely cold — some of the coldest air in the past 30 years is going to be on our doorstep here heading into Friday morning,”Kotenberg said.

Experts say you should not be outside longer than 15 to 30 minutes in this weather. 

If outdoors, according to the weather service, you should cover all skin because frostbite can happen quickly. 

“(Make sure your) propane tanks are filled to the extent possible, because the heating systems are going to get a big workout,”Kotenberg said.

Warming centers, shelters ready for those in need

Warming centers and shelters across Wisconsin provide resources for those without shelter.

Rebecca North is the president of the board of directors at Repairers of the Breach, a shelter in Milwaukee. Typically only open Monday through Saturday, she said they are staying open this Sunday because of the expected high demand. 

“There’s breakfast and lunch, and kind of mid afternoon, a snack when the nighttime program starts. There’s also later in the evening, a meal served to the people who are spending the night.”

The shelter provides coats, hats, scarfs and gloves. There are also private showers and telephone services in the building.

North says sometimes people arrive at the center with frostbitten hands. 

“I mean, these are life and death situations,” North said.