Weather Alert Day: Bitterly cold air, wind chills 0 to -15 degrees

The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert Day for this morning due to bitterly cold air and dangerous wind chills through mid morning.

After another surge of arctic air moved in yesterday, temperatures are expected to drop to near 10 with wind chills already dropping below zero for this morning. Although the winds will have decreased through the night, a breeze up to 10 mph will continue as low temperatures fall to 0 to 10 degrees across Mid-Missouri.

The light breeze combined with the single digit lows will produce wind chills as low as 15 below near HWY 36 to 5 below zero in the Ozarks. Wind chills are expected to be below zero until mid-morning (~10 AM) for areas north of HWY 50. Temperatures will only rise into the mid 20s Friday afternoon as clouds move back in.

To avoid hypothermia or frostbite in this bitterly cold air, it’s best to cover yourself completely with no exposed skin if you will be outdoors for any extended period of time. A hat is important since at least half of your body heat is lost if your head is not covered. Also, dress layered. Trapped air between loose fitting clothing helps to insulate. And, stay dry. Wet clothing results in much faster heat loss from your body.

Watch ABC 17 news for updates on these bitterly cold temperatures and check back here for updates.

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