Dangerous cold, hours of below-zero temps poised to move into area

Don't be fooled by those nearly 40-degree temperatures that teased their way across Greencastle and Putnam County on Monday.

Some of the harshest air the area has seen in 25 years is expected to arrive Tuesday night into Wednesday morning with wind chills expected in the -30 to -45 range. The National Weather Service (NWS) says record lows are possible Wednesday and Thursday with the bitter cold finally easing by Friday morning.

A wind chill advisory has been issued for central Indiana, including Putnam County, from 10 p.m. Tuesday through 1 p.m. Thursday.

Only 16 days have ever been recorded in which Indianapolis has failed to reach zero degrees for a high. The last time that happened was Jan. 18, 1994 with a high of only -4, the day before the coldest temperature ever recorded in Indianapolis occurred (-27 the following morning) and the coldest temperature ever recorded in Indiana occurred with -36 at Whiteland.

Wednesday may be day No. 17, the NWS says.

Real temperature-wise, Putnam County and central Indiana are expected to endure below-zero temperatures for nearly 48 hours during the dangerous cold snap.

Wind chills, meanwhile, were forecast to go below zero late Monday night and remain below zero until about noon on Thursday, staying below zero for about 56 straight hours.

With dangerously cold arctic air moving into central Indiana this week, the Weather Service notes that temperatures will get cold enough for frostbite to occur within 10 to 30 minutes of exposure. Wind chills will be colder, sometimes much colder, than the air temperatures. Remember, no matter what the temperatures end up as, they will be dangerously cold, the Weather Service warns.

Meanwhile, Putnamville State Police Public Information Officer Matt Ames advises Hoosiers to plan ahead before the cold temperatures arrive later this week by:

* Keeping your gas tank full.

* Staying informed of road conditions.

* Checking your tire pressure.

* Checking your fluids.

* Packing an emergency kit.

* Make sure cellphone is fully charged.