Columbia, Jefferson City schools among districts to close Wednesday

COLUMBIA (AP) — Some Missouri schools are calling off classes for Wednesday because of plummeting temperatures.

The extreme cold and record-breaking temperatures are crawling into a swath of states spanning from North Dakota to Missouri and into Ohio after a powerful snowstorm pounded the region earlier this week. Much of Missouri is under a wind chill warning or advisory, with wind chills expected to drop as low as minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit Wednesday. The National Weather Service said the cold could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

Schools calling off classes include Columbia, Jefferson City and Boonville R-I.

Pets also are at risk. Animal control officers in Jefferson City will be conducting increased patrols looking for pets left outside in the cold.