Wind Chill Warning and Bitter Cold

We have seen way more snow than we are used to in our area this week.  Now, as arctic high pressure moves in, we are going to see some record-breaking cold temperatures.  The table below compares the current records with our forecasted temperatures for the next 36 hours.  These very cold temperatures are going to combine with strong winds to produce dangerously cold wind chill values tonight and tomorrow. 

	Record	Forecast
Tonight’s Low	2° in 1958	-10°
Tomorrow’s High	23° in 1936	8°
Tomorrow Night’s Low	-3° in 1885	-8°

A Wind Chill Warning is in effect until 11:00am CST tomorrow. Wind chill readings of -20 to -30° are likely overnight, and readings of -10 to -20° are likely during the day tomorrow.  The graphic below shows forecasted wind chills at 6:00 tomorrow morning.  Wind chill values this low will result in frost bite and lead to hypothermia or death if precautions are not taken.  Please bring any pets inside.  If you must go out, dress in layers and cover as much exposed skin as possible.  A Wind Chill Advisory will go into effect when the warning expires and remain in effect from 11:00am CST tomorrow until 6:00am CST on Friday.

Forecast wind chill values valid at 6:00am CST courtesy of NWS Louisville

These bitter cold temperatures also mean that this snow will not have much of a chance to melt and will be with us for a while longer.  Looking ahead, we also have a chance of multiple different types of precipitation this weekend.  Snow is expected Friday afternoon/evening which will then change over to snow mixed with sleet and freezing rain late Friday night.  Minor snow and ice accumulations will be possible.  That system will then switch to all rain on Saturday.  Minor flooding will be possible.  We will have more details on the type and timing of that system as we draw closer to the weekend.  For now, just try to stay warm!

Forecast:

Tonight:  Decreasing clouds, lows near -10°, winds out of the west at around 6-12 mph, and wind chills as low as -20 to -30°.

Tomorrow:  Mostly sunny skies, highs near 8°, winds out of the WNW at around 7-10 mph, and wind chills as low as -10 to -20°.

Tomorrow Night:  Increasing clouds, lows near -8°, light winds out of the northwest, and wind chills as low as -10 to -20°.

Thanks for reading, and stay warm!

-Arden Gregory