(UPDATE: Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer announced this morning that the city will be opening up Center Lake Pavilion from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Monday and Tuesday for residents needing shelter from the cold. Temperatures are expected to plummet to a high of -10 on Monday (windchill at -14) and -3 on Tuesday with a windchill of -6.)
The National Weather Service has also issued a new Winter Storm Watch to go into effect from late early Sunday morning night through early Monday morning. The winter weather forecast also includes subzero temperatures for early next week.
The Winter Storm Watch will take effect at 1 a.m. Sunday and expire at 1 a.m. Monday. Light snow is expected to begin late Saturday night and may become heavy at times into Sunday evening. Accumulations of 6 inches to 12 inches are possible. Gusty northwest winds will cause blowing and drifting snow.
The watch is for Kosciusko and surrounding counties such as Marshall, Fulton, Elkhart and Whitley. According to the NWS, subzero temperatures are expected into next week.
According to the NWS, wind chill temperatures between 10 below and 20 below zero can be expected. South winds of 15 mph to 25 mph are possible late this afternoon and tonight and will create blowing and drifting snow, especially in rural and open areas.
Extremely cold air will follow the snow early next week. The NWS says actual air temperatures will fall to between 10 below and 20 degrees below zero from late Sunday night through Wednesday morning. Dangerous wind chills between 35 degrees below zero and 45 degrees below zero can be expected during this period.
Extremely cold temperatures, such as those that are forecast, are dangerous to people, animals and property. If you must be outside during extremely cold temperatures, dress appropriately for the conditions. Cover as much skin as possible to minimize exposure, and take frequent breaks indoors to warm up.