‘It’s going to be very cold’ this week: Here’s how cold and how weather could affect travel

A combination of dangerous wind chills, strong wind gusts and snowfall will make holiday travel hazardous later this week.

“If you don’t have to be out Thursday, don’t. It’s just one of those days to avoid traveling if you can,” National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Baerg said.

The weather service has also issued a wind chill watch for Thursday and Friday.

Temperatures are expected to drop Wednesday overnight. Wind chill values as low as minus 40 are expected Thursday. The high temp for Thursday is 5 with a low of minus 7 in the evening, according to a NWS detailed forecast.

“Here in the Wichita area we will have wind chills going below zero by 6 a.m. Thursday morning, and then below minus 25 after 9 a.m.,” Baerg said.

“Thursday morning through midday Friday, we’re going to be in that minus 25 to 40 range, so it’s going to very cold,” Baerg added.

There’s a greater chance for snow after midnight on Wednesday. It’s unclear how much snow will accumulate due to strong wind gusts.

“It’s going to be tough to measure anyways because we’re going to be dealing with wind gusts up to 50 mph, maybe even stronger,” Baerg said.

If you do travel during this time, the Kansas Adjutant General’s Department suggests that you tell someone your plans, make sure you have a full tank of gas and keep your cell phone charged. You should carry a car emergency kit with jumper cables, flares, ice scraper, phone charger, blanket, map and cat litter or sand for traction. You can find more information about home and car emergency kits at ready.gov/kit.

If you become stranded, call the Kansas Highway Patrol by dialing *47 or *582. In the meantime, stay in the car and keep fresh air circulating.

Humankind Ministries emergency winter shelters in Wichita will operate around the clock this winter, an email from the organization said.

“Clients are not required to leave the facilities in the daytime,” the email said.

Shelter check in times are at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Anyone wanting to check in outside of those times may do so with help from law enforcement.

More information on housing is available from the Wichita Police Department’s HOT team. Those needing help can also dial 211.

Friday’s high and low are expected to be 6 and minus 1, respectively, with a wind chill feel between minus 5 and minus 20.

Christmas Eve will see temps and wind chills above freezing with a high of 15 during the day dipping to 6 at night. Christmas Day will be mostly sunny with a high near 28 and wind chills between 20 to 25, Baerg said.