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Extreme Cold Spell En Route To Northern Ohio

A Cleveland couple navigates the windy, cold streets near the downtown area (pic by Brian Bull)
A Cleveland couple navigates the windy, cold streets near the downtown area (pic by Brian Bull)

Overnight lows will be in the negative double digits for much of northeast Ohio, as arctic air spills down across the region from western Canada.

Meteorologist Martin Mullen of the National Weather Service’s Cleveland bureau says this definitely looks like one of the coolest air masses seen in quite a while.

“We had a little stretch back in 2009 where we did get down to about -13 here in Cleveland area about the middle of the month," says Mullen. "But this looks like it could be even colder than that. We could see at least wind chills for sure –down in the -20, -30 range.”

Mullen says -20 is the coldest point reached in Cleveland, back in 1994. He says it’s possible temps could reach that dangerous level overnight.

“Just make sure that you’re prepared for this cold. If you do have to venture out Monday night into Tuesday, and Tuesday night, make sure you bundle up. Wear plenty of layers, but really think about it, if you need to go out, because these wind chill temperatures could be really dangerous.”

Exposed skin can suffer painful and damaging frostbite within minutes when the wind chills bring temps down to -20 degrees or colder.

Emergency kits – including blankets and flares – are recommended for motorists, and people with pets are advised to keep them inside.

After the cold spell, regional highs are expected to reach the teens on Wednesday, then climb into the 30s by the weekend.