By WMBD TV
BLOOMINGTON – The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued Cold Weather Advisories for the area through 3 pm on Tuesday.
While it’s not the coldest air we’ve ever experienced in Central Illinois (not by a long shot) it will be the coldest air we’ve seen so far this season. Peoria Public Schools and McLean County Unit District 5 have moved to E-Learning Days on Tuesday.
The coldest air of the season arrives tonight
Key Takeaways
- Wind chills between -15° and -25° expected tonight
- Frostbite can set in in as little as 30 minutes
Temperature and Wind Chill Forecast
Low temperatures are expected to fall between -4° and -10° across Central Illinois with wind chill values between -15° and -25°, the worst of which will come Tuesday morning. Even on Tuesday afternoon temperatures will only manage to climb into the lower to middle single digits with day time wind chills between -5° and -10°. Wind chills of this magnitude can lead to hypothermia and frostbite on exposed skin within 30 minutes.
We’ve all heard the saying “It wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t for the wind”. As we all know from living in the Midwest, there’s a difference between 0° with a calm wind and 0° with a 15 mph wind. The wind chill is an attempt calculate that difference. You see when the wind is blowing, the heat that our body radiates gets blown away from our body making it difficult for our bodies to regulate temperature. This can lead to hypothermia setting in, even when temperatures are not below zero.
Wind chill is not measured like air temperature. Instead it is a calculated number based on temperature and wind speed to find what the air might “feel like”. The equation isn’t perfect as it doesn’t factor in humidity and solar insolation, but it is still a useful tool as it still gives us a rough idea at what kind of exposure to the cold our bodies can handle.
Yes it gets cold, but it’s still life threatening
Bitter cold temperatures impacting Central Illinois in January is not an uncommon occurrence, but that doesn’t make it any less dangerous. A 2020 study from researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found that more people die as a result of cold temperatures in Illinois than hot temperatures. Researchers found that between 2011 and 2018 there were 1,935 cold-related deaths across Illinois compared to 70 heat-related deaths during the same time period.
These stats are a reminder that, even in climates where cold weather occurs, it is important to remain dressed for the elements. It’s seems that every year we are reporting on someone who had died from exposure to cold temperatures. Some were simply taking out the trash or checking the mail when they happened to slip and were unable to get back up and get indoors.
Be sure to bundle up and wear multiple layers. Cover up as much exposed skin including your nose, fingers, and ears to avoid frostbite. Check in on your elderly friends, family, and neighbors over the next few days.
Warmer and more seasonal weather will return to Central Illinois on Wednesday and remain with us through the upcoming weekend. Click here for a more detailed weather forecast.
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