The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for the Lehigh Valley for Wednesday night because of a forecast for “dangerous wind chill values” of 15 to 20 degrees below zero.
The advisory will be in effect from 7 p.m. Wednesday until 9 a.m. Thursday, as some of the coldest air of the season pushes its way into the area.
According to a statement issued Wednesday by the NWS, the combination of temperatures from 3 to 16 above and winds from 15 to 25 mph–with gusts of up to 40 mph–“will result in frostbite and lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken.”
“If you must venture outdoors, make sure exposed skin is covered,” the statement warned.
The NWS also advised area residents to protect exposed heating pipes by using heating tape or by trickling water through them to prevent freezing.
