'Extremely Dangerous' Wind Chills Coming To Ohio

"Extremely dangerous" wind chills are expected to blow into Ohio on Wednesday. Wind chill temperatures could drop to -40 degrees, a life-threatening level of cold, according to the National Weather Service.

"From Tuesday evening to Thursday afternoon, winds 10 to 20 mph across the area with gusts to 30 mph will allow for wind chills of 25 to 35 degrees below zero, with some spots in northwest Ohio perhaps getting as as cold as 40 degrees below zero. This will allow for life-threatening cold conditions," the agency warned.

The plunge in temperatures will start Tuesday night. Temperatures are expected to drop quickly from the low 20s to below zero overnight. Temperatures will then remain below zero through Thursday, the NWS said.

For the first time since January 1994, temperatures may not rise above 0 degrees throughout an entire day (Wednesday).

"Low temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday morning will be the coldest temperatures the region has felt since February 2015 and could break daily records by several degrees," the National Weather Service said.

The cold could cause frostbite on exposed skin in less than 10 minutes.

The wind chill advisory was issued for Cuyahoga, Summit, Geauga, Lake, Medina, Portage, Trumbull, Wayne, Stark, Mahoning, Ashtabula and Erie counties.

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Staying Safe in the Cold

Residents should limit the amount of time they spend outdoors on Wednesday and Thursday. The extreme cold is not a joke and could cause life-threatening injuries to anyone exposed to the temperatures for too long.

If there's a power outage, residents should check on neighbors that might be vulnerable to the cold.

The Cleveland Water Department is also warning customers that extreme cold could wreak havoc on indoor plumbing, freezing pipes and disrupting water flow. To prevent this from happening, the department issued several tips to keep pipes warm enough to stop a freeze.

• Keep a small stream of water flowing from faucets. Running even a small amount of water through pipes will help prevent freezing, Cleveland Water said.
• Windows and doors near exposed plumbing should be closed or sealed shut. Cold winds coming through those opening can quickly freeze exposed pipes.
• Kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors should be opened, to allow warm air to flow around the piping.
• If you have a specific room with plumbing that is prone to freezing, considering setting up a portable heater in that area. Never leave the heater unattended.
• If you plan on being away from home for a long stretch, leave the heat at your home running, and set to at least 55 degrees. Or, turn off the main valve and drain the outside faucets, Cleveland Water said.

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