Brad Gilbert, Emergency Management Agency director for Wood County, has issued the following advisory:
EMA just completed a conference call with the NWS Cleveland office concerning the incoming polar/arctic air starting Tuesday night. The following is the latest information for planning purposes.
A Wind Chill WATCH is currently in effect. This will be changed to a Wind Chill WARNING (for Tuesday night through Friday morning) sometime overnight tonight as the storm system pulls away from the area. As it pulls away, a cold front will move through in the early hours of Tuesday and temperatures will drop the entire day. Winds will also be very gusty through the period which will create the dangerous wind chills. The wind chill should reach the -25 degree F around 7:00 p.m. Tuesday. Wind chills on Wednesday will average around -25 to -30 degrees F. The coldest period in this time frame will be in the overnight hours Wednesday night into Thursday morning when wind chills could approach -40 degrees F. Temperatures and wind chill values will begin to moderate on Friday. High temperatures by Sunday will be nearing the upper 40s.
Please note that these are dangerous conditions (Tuesday night through Friday morning). At these low wind chill values, flesh can freeze in less than 10 minutes if exposed. Please plan accordingly and use extra caution if you have to be outside for anything during this period. These conditions for this period of time will also start to impact infrastructure, so plan for potential loss of infrastructure and services.
FOR THOSE ALONG THE PORTAGE AND MAUMEE RIVERS:
A secondary concern is developing for ice jams. Ice jams are already being observed on the Maumee River from Rossford back through to almost the Waterville area. The incoming temperatures will lock a lot of ice jam ice in place and will allow for rapid freezing of open water. With temperatures returning to relatively warm values this weekend along with a chance of rain, ice jams and flooding may become an issue. Please report any ice jam situations directly to the NWS Cleveland office or the EMA office.
