MARSHFIELD – With wind chills expected to dip as low as 45 degrees below zero Thursday night into Friday morning and the National Weather Service issuing extreme cold warnings and watches for central Wisconsin through Saturday morning, several area schools are already announcing closures or shifting to virtual learning and some weekend events and activities have been canceled.
This blog will be updated throughout the dangerous cold snap with additional information on closures as well as tips on how local residents can stay safe during this extreme weather event.
City of Marshfield announces additional closures
Due to forecasted severe cold weather, the City of Marshfield announced Thursday night that several additional city facilities will be closed to the public on Jan. 23 including the Parks & Recreation Office, Marshfield Community Center (Second Street), Wildwood Zoo and the Everett Roehl Marshfield Public Library. Wildwood Zoo will also be closed Jan. 24.
The city announced Thursday afternoon that Marshfield City Hall would also be closed Jan. 23 due to the extreme cold. Residents are encouraged to use online services available at cityofmarshfieldwi.gov when possible.
These closures are being implemented as a precautionary measure to protect the safety and well-being of residents, visitors, staff and animals during the extreme weather conditions, according to a news release from the city.
― Jamie Rokus, Marshfield News-Herald
Marshfield-area businesses close due to cold
― Jamie Rokus, Marshfield News-Herald
Marshfield City Hall to close on Jan. 23 due to cold
Marshfield City Hall will be closed to the public Jan. 23 because of the expected dangerously low temperatures. This is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of city employees and the public, according to a city news release.
Essential city services will continue to operate, according to the news release. Residents are encouraged to use online services on the city’s website, cityofmarshfiedwi.gov, for payments, forms and general information.
People planning to visit other city buildings on Jan. 23 are encouraged to use caution and call ahead before traveling, as operations and access may vary depending on weather conditions.
― Karen Madden, Marshfield News-Herald
List of warming locations available in Wood County
The Wood County Sheriff’s Department announced a list of warming locations and their operating hours across Wood County.
Local school districts announce closures and virtual learning
As forecasts predict extreme cold temperatures for the end of this week, some local school districts have announced plans to close Friday, Jan. 23 or switch to virtual learning. The following school districts in the Marshfield area have announced changes to Friday classes and activities:
― Caitlin Shuda and Jamie Rokus, Marshfield News-Herald
Central WI sees cold fronts like this once every 5-10 years
Dangerously cold wind chills are expected to be as low as 35-45 degrees below zero from late Thursday night through Saturday morning across central Wisconsin, according to Timm Uhlmann, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Green Bay.
Uhlmann said a strong push of northwestern air flow from Canada and the arctic is bringing cold air down to central Wisconsin. The faster and stronger the push, the further south those cold temperatures will extend, he said.
Uhlmann said central Wisconsin sees cold fronts to this degree once about every 5-10 years.
These dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes, and pets should be inside as much as possible. The National Weather Service recommends dressing in layers, including hats, face masks and gloves for anyone who must go outside.
― Caitlin Shuda, Marshfield News-Herald
This article originally appeared on Marshfield News-Herald: What you need to know as extreme cold snap arrives in Marshfield
Reporting by Jamie Rokus, Caitlin Shuda, Karen Madden and Erik Pfantz, Marshfield News-Herald / Marshfield News-Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
