Green Bay, Wisconsin – Dangerous Arctic cold held firm across much of Wisconsin early Saturday, with life-threatening wind chills forcing residents indoors as temperatures plunged well before sunrise.
According to the National Weather Service in Green Bay, an Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect until 9 a.m. CST Saturday for large portions of north-central, central, and northeast Wisconsin. Wind chills have dropped as low as 40 below zero in counties including Marathon, Portage, Wood, Vilas, Oneida, Lincoln, and Forest, while areas farther east, including Brown, Outagamie, Winnebago, Door, and Manitowoc counties, have seen wind chills near 35 below.
Communities such as Wausau, Stevens Point, Rhinelander, Eagle River, Wisconsin Rapids, Appleton, Oshkosh, Green Bay, Manitowoc, and Sturgeon Bay are all impacted during the early morning hours. Officials warn frostbite can develop on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes, making even short trips outdoors hazardous. Rural roads, school bus stops, and outdoor job sites are especially vulnerable during the coldest part of the morning.
Emergency managers urge residents to dress in multiple layers, fully cover exposed skin, and limit time outdoors until conditions improve. Pets should remain indoors, and homeowners are advised to protect plumbing by allowing faucets to drip or insulating exposed pipes to prevent freezing.
Temperatures are expected to slowly recover later this morning as winds ease, but officials caution that cold conditions may persist across the region. Residents are encouraged to monitor updates, as additional cold-related advisories could be issued if dangerous wind chills redevelop.
