Brrrrrrrr-ace yourself!

It’s been a week of brutal cold, getting deeper by the day — and here comes more.

Threatening frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes, potential wind chills down to 45 below zero have prompted an extreme cold warning from the National Weather Service-Green Bay, which covers the entire Northwoods. As of press time, that warning was in effect until 1 p.m. today, though it could be extended, as an extreme cold watch was in place through noon Saturday.

Kids in the School District of Rhinelander won’t need to face the dangerous chill to go to school today — although that’s thanks to a lucky quirk of the school calendar, with today already a no-school day at the end of the semester.

While these extreme conditions may feel like the most bitter cold to ever grip the area, past years are sitting chilly in the record books.

As of press time, the NWS Green Bay office forecasted a low of minus-25 this morning with the mercury only reaching minus-10 today. The thermometer is expected to bottom out at minus-27 tonight.

The temperature may not be record-shattering — the coldest high temperature recorded on this day in both Minocqua and Rhinelander was minus-16, while the record low is minus-36.

Still, our current deep freeze is the coldest the area has been in a good decade.

Should the high fail to reach single digits below zero today, it would be the coldest high temp recorded since 2014 for both Minocqua (Jan. 7, -18°) and Rhinelander (Jan. 6, -17°), according to the National Weather Service’s climate database.

On Wednesday, the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry sent out a press release stating it will be closed during its regular business hours today, and during shopping hours Saturday, due to the extreme cold. The next scheduled shopping hours will be Monday, Jan. 16 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Additionally, the Hodag Dome announced it will be closed to the public today, though the scheduled softball tournament it will hold Saturday and Sunday will continue as scheduled.

If you must go outside, the National Weather Service recommends dressing in layers, including a hat, face mask, and gloves. Pets should be kept indoors as much as possible.

Electric and natural gas provider Wisconsin Public Service also has some timely tips to help keep winter’s worst chill at bay. Here they are:

“Let the sun in:  Open curtains or blinds when the sun is out to help warm your home. Close them at night to help retain heat and cut down on drafts.

“Prevent carbon monoxide dangers: Make sure carbon monoxide detectors are working properly and learn the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

“Oven safety: Never use a stove or oven to heat your home. Not only is it inefficient, it could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

“Keep your meters clear: Safely brush away snow and ice from your home’s natural gas meter and vents. The extra weight can stress or crack meter piping, causing a natural gas leak. It also can clog appliance vents, trapping carbon monoxide indoors.

“Space heater safety: Only use newer models with safety features like automatic shut-off. Keep space heaters at least 6 feet away from flammable materials like drapes or blankets. Plug heaters directly into the wall, not into extension cords or power strips. Place the heater on a flat surface away from children and pets.

“Safe sleeping: Turn off electric blankets when they are not being used. Keep pets away from electric blankets, as their teeth and claws can puncture wire insulation and cause damage.

“Heat your home efficiently: A few simple steps — such as sealing gaps around windows and doors, adjusting your thermostat and changing furnace filters — can keep homes cozy and energy bills down.”

In the meantime, there’s some warmth to be found in the forecast: This brutal cold is expected to give way to actual double-digit temperatures come Monday, and gradually climb in the coming days into the 20s. Compared to these brutal days of -20 and below, we’ll take it! 

Ardith Carlton may be reached at [email protected].