Forecasters say this bitter cold won’t be going away anytime soon. At the NWS, meteorology experts add, it’ll be even colder next week.

Bitterly cold wind-chills are settling in today (Friday) and we need to avoid long stays in the outside temps. Hypothermia can happen in a hurry, so protect your skin.

Local officials also ask homeowners to allow your tap water to run at a trickle to avoid freezing up. Warming centers are suggested and in Kankakee County, River Valley Metro buses offer FREE rides – jump onboard to avoid the cold; let the buses serve as a warming center.

Conditions are not going to be improving anytime soon. Some light snow accumulation is possible Sunday. And the middle of next week the coldest weather so far this season is expected to arrive, Wednesday and Thursday could find wind chills as 30 below.

94.1 WGFA