Wind chill advisory issued for local area

The first big freeze of the season has descended on the Western Panhandle of the state.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for the area. Wind chills are expected to fall to as low as -35 degrees overnight.

An advisory is issued when the wind chill is low enough to pose a threat to human health and life if adequate protection isn't taken against hypothermia and frostbite, according to the weather service.

"Because of an arctic air mass that will continue to build in the area (Monday), frigid temperatures will move into the area by the evening," according to a release issued by the weather service. "Air temperatures are expected to drop below zero, creating dangerous wind chill values. Travelers and residents are urged to dress in layers if they must venture outdoors at night."

By 1 p.m. Monday afternoon, the temperature in Sidney had fallen to 9 degrees. It was expected to dip to -8 by midnight. With winds gusting as hard as 20 mph on Monday night and into Tuesday, it provides a dangerous recipe for local residents.

The wind chill is the temperature the body feels when the air temperature is combined with the wind speed. With wind chills in the -20 to -35 range, body parts – especially fingers, toes, nose and ear lobes – are susceptible to frostbite in as little as 30 minutes, the weather service warns.

And if the cold temperatures and wind weren't enough, the snow that started early Monday morning is expected to continue. Accumulation is expected to be in the 1- to 3-inch range by the time its stops on Tuesday.