Arctic Conditions Into Thursday Morning

The Effingham County Health Department and Effingham County Emergency Management urges residents to take precautions during this winter weather event. Temperatures may be well below zero with dangerous wind chills.

Our forecast indicates our low tonight will be eight degrees, with wind chills ranging from eight below to two above zero. Tuesday's high will be just 19 degrees with wind chills again from eight below to two above zero.

Tuesday night will be the start of the worst period of the cold temperatures. The Tuesday night low is expected to be six below zero with wind chills ranging from 13 below to 23 below zero. Our high Wednesday will be two degrees above zero with almost 30MPH winds. The Wednesday night low will be six below with wind gusts to 15MPH.

More information is available here in our weather section

The winds should continue to die down Thursday and our high should reach 20 degrees. The Friday, Saturday and Sunday highs are to reach the 30s, 40s and then 50s, respectively.

In the meantime, residents should avoid going outside if at all possible, and if not, limit their exposure time to severe cold. In order to reduce exposure and possible frostbite, cover all exposed parts of the body. Frostbite is a severe reaction to cold exposure of the skin and can occur in as little as 30 minutes. The symptoms of frostbite are numbness and white or pale appearance to the skin. Frostbite can permanently damage the skin. Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition brought on when the body temperature drops below 95 degrees. Residents are also encouraged to make sure pets have access to shelter from these extreme temperatures.

Effingham County residents who need emergency warming during this weather emergency may contact the Effingham County Sheriff’s office at 217-342-2101, and they will be put in contact with warming center resources.