By AKANE OTANI
Ithacans awoke Monday to snow-free streets and a (relatively) balmy 40 degrees. When the sun goes down, though, “dangerously cold” gusts will bring wind chill values plummeting to -30 degrees, the National Weather Service warned Monday.
“The wind chill will be cold enough to cause frostbite in about 15 minutes or less,” the NWS said in its forecast. “This is life-threatening cold for those not in shelter.”
The bad news: it will only get colder Tuesday, which the NWS says will be “brisk” with a daytime high of around 5 degrees. West winds, including gusts with speeds of up to 35 mph, will drag the wind chill value down to a low of -34 degrees.
For those who “must” go outside, the NWS advises wearing several layers of clothing, donning a hat and covering all exposed flesh to ward off frostbite.
The NWS’ wind chill warning extends from Monday to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Here’s what the weather has Ithacans saying online: