Stanley-Boyd Schools opted for a virtual day Friday, Jan. 23, after the National Weather Service put out an extreme cold warning through midnight Friday, followed by a cold weather warning into Saturday.
The hazardous weather outlook as reported from the National Weather Service Twin Cities office predicted windchills as low as 45 degrees below zero in the Chippewa Valley, able to cause frostbite in as little as 10 minutes.
“Wind chills forecast for the -40s is extreme weather and the decision had to be made,” Stanley-Boyd Superintendent Jeff Koenig said of the decision. With four options available (have school as normal, delay the start or release early, move to virtual learning, or close completely), totality of circumstances led to the decision to hold a virtual day, rather than close completely.
The digital temperature display at the school entrance Friday morning backed up the National Weather Service forecast, showing a temperature of 25 below after 8 a.m. A mercury based thermometer across town hovered at 10 below out of the wind and in the sun an hour later.
Windchill meanwhile increases with wind speed, strong winds causing the actual temperature to drop in comparison to the thermometer temperature, while straining vehicle batteries and furnaces in the area.
For those still choosing to go out and about in cold weather, the National Weather Service offers the following tips and item checklist to better prepare:
The way to avoid frostbite and hypothermia is to plan for extreme cold before it arrives. Don’t get caught unprepared.
• Check the Forecast at weather.gov or your favorite weather app, station, etc.: Make checking the forecast part of your regular routine so you’ll know when to expect cold weather.
• Adjust Your Schedule: If possible, avoid being outside during the coldest part of the day, typically the early morning. Try to find a warm spot for your children while waiting for the school bus outside.
• Protect Your Pets, Livestock and other Property: If you have pets or farm animals, make sure they are not overly exposed to extreme cold and have plenty of food and water that has not frozen.Take precautions to ensure your water pipes do not freeze. Know the temperature thresholds of your plants and crops.
• Fill up the tank: Make sure your car or vehicle has at least a half a tank of gas during extreme cold so that you can stay warm if you become stranded.
• Dress for the outdoors even if you don’t think you’ll be out much.
• Update Your Winter Car Survival Kit: Make sure your car survival kit has the following:
• Jumper cables: flares or reflective triangle are great extras
• Flashlights: Replace the batteries before the winter season starts and pack extras
• First Aid Kit: Carry essential medications with you in a purse or bag
• Baby gear: Diapers and any special formula or food
• Medical supplies: Materials for any special medical needs.
• Food: Non-perishable food such as canned food and a can opener, dry cereal and protein rich foods like nuts and energy bars
• Water: At least 1 gallon of water per person a day for at least 3 days
• Basic toolkit: Pliers, wrench, screwdriver
• Pet supplies: Food and water
• Radio: Battery or hand cranked
• Cat litter or sand: For better tire traction
• Shovel: To dig out snow
• Ice scraper: Have one in the car even if you usually park in a garage
•Clothes: Dress for the weather in warm clothes, gloves, hat, sturdy boots, jacket and an extra change cold weather of clothes
• Warmers: For body, hands and feet
• Blankets or sleeping bags: If you get stranded you’ll be glad to have it.
• Charged Cell Phone: And keep a spare charger in your car