The National Weather Service in St. Louis has issued an extreme cold warning for the region, cautioning residents about dangerously low wind chills that could lead to frostbite on exposed skin in less than half an hour. The warning is in place until noon today, with wind chills expected to dip as low as 22 below zero in parts of southwest Illinois and central, east central, and southeast Missouri. NWS advises residents to wear layers, including a hat, face mask, and gloves if they have to venture outside.
Aside from the extreme cold warning, a hazardous weather outlook was also released, indicating that the dangerous cold will persist through this morning. The outlook extends this warning for south-central and southwest Illinois tonight, with temperatures slated to drop to 0 to 5 degrees and wind chills of 10 to 15 below zero. St. Louis's forecast today promises sunny and cold conditions with a high near 16 and wind chill values as low as -20, according to the latest NWS update.
Looking ahead, no hazardous weather is expected for the rest of the week, post today's severe chill. From tonight through Sunday, the region will experience mostly clear skies and progressively warmer, though still chilly, temperatures. Winds could still gust as high as 20 mph, creating the potential for chilly conditions despite the absence of a storm system, reports the National Weather Service.
The bitter cold presents a range of safety concerns, prompting advisories about the risks associated with such temperatures. Residents are advised to take precautions to prevent water pipes from freezing by wrapping them, draining them, or allowing them to drip slowly.
