WINTER

Slick roads, frigid temps, school closings: What Louisville should know

The polar vortex is here and many in Louisville stayed home — including several school districts — due to the dangerously cold wind chills, which dropped as low as 17 below zero in Louisville, according to the National Weather Service. 

Watch out for slick roads and stay inside. It's going to be a cold one. 

Here's what to know about today's weather:

Wednesday weather forecast 

Bundle up, Louisville, especially this morning, says National Weather Service Meteorologist Ron Steve. 

Wind chills will be between minus 15 and minus 20 degrees until about noon Wednesday, Steve said. 

"You think it’s cold now?" he said. "It’s going to get cold ... We have some colder air on the way in, and it's going to get windier.”

While winds will die down as the day goes on, temperatures will remain in the single digits through late Thursday morning. 

"It’s still going to be ridiculously cold out there,” Steve said. 

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Overnight, 2.3 inches of snow fell at the Louisville airport, though most spots in Jefferson County saw between 1 and 2 inches. 

There will be a few snow flurries this morning, but Steve said he doesn't expect more accumulation.  

A wind chill advisory is in effect until 5 p.m. Wednesday in Louisville and until 7 p.m. for Southern Indiana, according to the National Weather Service. 

The arctic winds can lead to frostbite within 30 minutes, Steve warned. 

Will the post office be open?

Susan Wright, spokeswoman for the United States Postal Service, said letter carriers are out delivering mail on Wednesday in Jefferson County. 

"Our letter carriers will be delivering today," Wright said. "We emphasize to our employees they should use caution if they feel any numbness on their hands or feet, and to immediately follow protocol by taking rest periods in a warm dry place.  We also suggest carriers should return to the office if they feel weather conditions endanger their health."

USPS was not delivering mail in several states Wednesday due to the cold.

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Road conditions 

Most major interstates around Louisville were largely clear of snow Wednesday morning, but secondary surface streets in neighborhoods from Hikes Point to Portland remained slick with snow and ice through noon. Some portions of larger traffic arteries remained snowy and unplowed, including western sections of Broadway near Shawnee Park.

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MetroSafe dispatchers reported the slick, snowy, roads have led to a few fender benders but no injury crashes. There was also an uptick in stranded motorists calls. 

Officials encourage motorists to take their time on the roads this morning, as not all streets are free from snow and the extremely cold temperatures make salt less effective. 

Here's a look at the wind chill forecast for Louisville:

Wednesday

8 a.m.: -14 degrees

11 a.m.: -17 degrees

2 p.m.: -9 degrees

5 to 11 p.m.:  -6 to -5 degrees

Thursday

8 a.m.: -1 degrees

2 p.m.: 15 degrees

11 p.m.: 19 degrees

How Louisville is coping with the cold

The homeless camps on Jefferson Street, under the Interstate 65 overpass, were relatively quiet early Wednesday morning. 

While the sidewalks are typically dotted with men and women in sleeping bags, empty blankets and loose belongings were left unattended.

Many of them went to the nearby Wayside Christian Mission on Jefferson Street, where layered-up Louisvillians stood in line for a hot meal and a soothing sleep in a warm building.

“Last night we saw more people than ever,” said Aaron Jones, an employee with Wayside Christian Mission. “Thankfully, we have overflow space. If someone needs space, we’re going to make space for them.”

Downtown, there wasn't a lot of pedestrian traffic and roads remained clear. But overnight flurries and fresh powder coated a lot of neighborhood roads outside of downtown such as Phoenix Hill, Nulu, Shawnee and Old Louisville.

The cold weather also led to precautions and responses to help keep animals safe.

Between early Tuesday and early Wednesday afternoon, Louisville Metro Animal Services received about 100 calls requesting checks on animals left outside. 

Spokeswoman Teeya Barnes said the department has adjusted staffing to more heavily monitor incoming calls. She encouraged those who spot a stray animal to bring them inside, if safe to do so, as workers can't immediately respond to all locations. 

The Louisville Zoo closed its doors Wednesday and brought many of its animals inside to keep warm. Those more likely to enjoy the cold, including the zoo's sole polar bear, Qannik, sea lions and seals, all still have access to the outdoor part of their enclosure.

School closings list

  • Archdiocese of Louisville  - CLOSED
  • Bullitt County Public Schools - CLOSED
  • Clarksville Community Schools - CLOSED (Makeup day Feb. 18)
  • Greater Clark County (Indiana) - CLOSED (Athletic team practices may occur between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday at the coach's discretion)
  • Jefferson County Public Schools - CLOSED (Makeup day will be March 28)  
  • New Albany Floyd County Schools - CLOSED
  • Oldham County Schools - CLOSED (School enrichment centers will open at 8 a.m. The makeup day will be May 30.)
  • Shelby County Public Schools - CLOSED (Operate as a SnoGo Day)
  • Spencer County Schools - CLOSED (Bear Care child care program will be open)

College campuses closed 

  • University of Louisville 
  • University of Kentucky 
  • Bellarmine University 
  • Jefferson Community and Technical College
  • Spalding University
  • Sullivan University
  • Kentucky State University
  • Western Kentucky University 
  • Morehead State University
  • Eastern Kentucky University 
  • Indiana University
  • Indiana Tech

What is wind chill? 

Wind chill is a number that takes into consideration wind speed and the actual air temperature.

There's a mathematical formula for determining wind chill. Effective in 2001, the formula for winds in mph and Fahrenheit temperatures is: Wind chill temperature = 35.74 + 0.6215T - 35.75V (**0.16) + 0.4275TV(**0.16).

A simpler method of determining the wind chill temperature is by referencing the NWS Wind Chill Chart.

The wind chill is how cold it actually feels on your skin when the wind is factored in, explained Meteorologist Ashley Novak of the National Weather Service office in Wilmington, Ohio.

What is the polar vortex?

The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of Earth’s poles, according to the National Weather Service. Many times during winter in the northern hemisphere, the polar vortex will expand, causing large outbreaks of Arctic air in the United States. 

While many regions in the United States are getting hit harder than Louisville, the cold temperatures we are feeling are caused directly by the polar vortex.

"The extremely cold temperatures we will feel are as a result of the polar vortex," NWS Louisville meteorologist Evan Webb said.

The National Weather Service said there is no reason to be alarmed when you hear about the polar vortex, but you should be prepared for colder temperatures.

How to prevent and treat frostbite

Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said warm, dry clothing can help prevent frostbite. Wear a scarf or knit mask that covers the face and mouth; mittens or gloves; water-resistant boots; a hat; a water-resistant coat; and several layers of loose-fitting clothing.

According to the Mayo Clinic, here is when to see a doctor for frostbite:

  • If you experience signs and symptoms of superficial or deep frostbite
  • Increased pain, swelling, redness or discharge in the area that was frostbitten
  • Fever
  • New, unexplained symptoms

Frostbite occurs in several stages, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Frostnip, a mild form of frostbite, occurs when continued exposure to cold leads to numbness in the affected area. Superficial frostbite "appears as reddened skin that turns white or pale."

"Your skin may begin to feel warm — a sign of serious skin involvement. If you treat frostbite with rewarming at this stage, the surface of your skin may appear mottled. And you may notice stinging, burning and swelling. A fluid-filled blister may appear 12 to 36 hours after rewarming the skin," the Mayo clinic said. 

If skin turns white or bluish gray and you experience numbness, that is a sign of deep frostbite. Deep frostbite can cause tissues to turn black and hard as the tissue dies.

Cincinnati Enquirer contributed reporting.