Wind chills expected to plummet to -20 on Wednesday and Thursday, has caused secondary schools and most area universities to close their doors on Wednesday. Schools in Ross, Pickaway, Pike, Fayette and Highland counties are among those in southern Ohio that closed as of Tuesday evening.
National Weather Service officials say the expected wind chills, caused by a polar vortex that is dipping even into the deep southeast of the United States, will create health concerns for anyone remaining outside for any length of time. At -20 wind chill, people can get frost-bitten in a matter of minutes, if not adequately covered from the cold.
NWS has issued a Wind Chill Advisory for Ross County to the Ohio River, between 7am Wednesday to 1pm Thursday. Counties from Pickaway County to the north are under a Wind Chill Warning in the same time frame.