The National Weather Service has placed Columbus and central Ohio under an extreme cold watch from 1 a.m. Monday to 10 a.m. Wednesday.
The NWS in Wilmington warns temperatures will be in the single digits for daytime highs and nighttime temperatures of 5 to 10 degrees below zero could plummet with the wind chill to as low as 15-25 degrees below zero.
So what exactly is an extreme cold watch?
In October 2024, the NWS stopped issuing wind chill watches, warnings and advisories. The NWS replaced them with extreme cold watches, extreme cold warnings and cold weather advisories.
Additionally, freeze watches and warnings were renamed hard freeze watches and warnings.
According to the NWS, an extreme cold watch is issued whenever “dangerously cold air, with or without wind, is possible.”
The difference between an extreme cold watch and an extreme cold warning is similar to the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. An extreme cold watch means dangerously cold conditions could be on the way, while an extreme cold warning means the conditions are present.
The NWS doesn’t have a set temperature at which extreme cold watches or warnings are issued. Local forecast offices are responsible for issuing the alerts, which generally are based on continued extreme cold temperatures over an extended period.
What should I do during an extreme cold watch?
The NWS recommends people plan to avoid going out during the coldest temperatures each day, safeguard pets and livestock, gather emergency supplies and make sure vehicles have at least half a tank of gas. In addition, homeowners should leave water dripping on inside waterlines against outside walls or open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to them to avoid potential ruptures that can occur in extreme cold.
The NWS website includes a suggested winter car survival kit with items like flashlights, jumper cables and water.
During an extreme cold warning, the NWS says people should avoid going outside. If you must go outside, dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and make sure at lease one other person knows where you’re going.
