Bitter cold coming

SANDUSKY — Wednesday's and Thursday's chilly weather offered a preview of what's to come in the local area. On Friday, Ross Ellet, a meteorologist with 13abc in Toledo, highlighted "two big waves of cold showing up on the weather maps." Ellet pointed out how: • Monday, Jan. 19 and Tuesday, Jan. 20 "will be the peak of the first blast." Temperatures could dip to a low of 9 degrees on Monday and minus 2 degrees on Tuesday. It's even possible, he said, for gusts to reach 40 mph, making the wind chill, by Monday morning, dropping to as low as: — Minus 19 degrees in the Port Clinton/Ottawa County area — Minus 20 degrees in the Fremont/Sandusky County and Sandusky/Erie County areas — Minus 21 degrees in the Norwalk/Huron County area "Additional snow showers are likely near an arctic front, and additional lake-effect snow is expected north of U.S. 6 on Monday. Snow totals around 1 inch," he said. • Sunday, Jan. 25 and Monday, Jan. 26 "is likely to be the second blast." Temperatures could dip to a low of 8 degrees on Jan. 25 and minus 3 degrees on Jan. 26. "Cold air still looks like it will hold over Ohio, so snow is favored. We just don't have a good understanding of how a storm or storms will interact with this pattern. Currently, the computer models are modest with snow totals (though the pattern suggests there is room for this to increase." Fight against frostbite Ellet also reminded people to look out for signs of frostbite and hypothermia before entering what he called the "dangerous cold" periods. "The early signs of frostbite start as red and painful skin, but, oftentimes, those that get frostnip or full frostbite are unaware that they have it because their skin goes numb. The intense pain develops as the skin begins to thaw," said Ellet, stressing how people should cover all exposed skin when outside in this weather. He continued: "If skin begins to go numb or you notice grayish-yellow skin, you need to immediately get out of the cold. The CDC says hypothermia comes with a variety of symptoms, such as exhaustion, drowsiness, slurred speech, confusion, shaking and memory loss. If a person's temperature drops below 95 degrees, they need medical attention immediately." Humans aren't the only ones susceptible to frostbite. Animals are, too. In the past, during other cold bouts of weather, Ellet stressed how people need to bring in outdoor pets. And other indoor pets, like dogs and cats, should only go outside for the minimum amount required for bathroom purposes.