Dangerous Winter Weather Hits Cleveland Area

Wind chill temperatures will hit -15 in the Cleveland area Tuesday, the National Weather Service said. The dangerous cold could pose a major risk for anyone who has to be outdoors.

"The cold wind chills will cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes to exposed skin. Expect wind chills to range from 10 to 20 below zero," the NWS said. The extreme cold has prompted the National Weather Service to issued a Wind Chill Warning, an upgrade from its previous advisory for the region.

The warning expires Wednesday at noon. The NWS said Tuesday night will see temperatures plummet to between -10 and -20 degrees, with wind chill. Winds will start to taper off Wednesday night, when temperatures could reach -6 degrees.

Temperatures may not get much warmer throughout the week. After temperatures rise slightly on Wednesday, things will start to get extremely cold again. The NWS is currently forecasting a Friday high of 8 degrees.

If winds pick up, Northeast Ohio could again find itself under a wind chill advisory or warning.

Anyone that is planning to venture outside this week is asked to wear hats, gloves and other winter attire to protect themselves against the frigid cold. Residents should also plan to limit their time outside.

Anyone that only uses their car sparingly, but must park it outside, should take the time to occasionally start their vehicle and keep the engine warm and running for a few minutes.

The following areas are under a wind chill warning:

• Lucas
• Wood
• Ottawa
• Sandusky
• Erie
• Lorain
• Cuyahoga
• Lake
• Geauga
• Ashtabula Inland
• Hancock
• Seneca
• Huron
• Medina
• Summit
• Portage
• Trumbull
• Wyandot
• Crawford
• Richland
• Ashland
• Wayne
• Stark
• Mahoning
• Marion
• Morrow
• Holmes
• Knox
• Ashtabula Lakeshore
• Northern Erie

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