| RELATED INFO |
| * History of weather-related closures at Purdue |
| * National Weather Service winter weather information |
| * Weather Channel wind chill information |
| * Red Cross winter storm information |
January 15, 2009
ALERT: National Weather Service issues wind chill advisory
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a wind chill WARNING which is in effect until 1 p.m. EST Friday (Jan. 16). A wind chill warning means the combination of very cold air and strong winds will create dangerously low wind chill values. This will result in frost bite and lead to hypothermia or death if precautions are not taken.Bitter cold air ushered in on gusty winds Wednesday night is expected to remain into Friday. Wind chills of 20 below zero to 30 below zero are expected to occur.
Purdue officials are monitoring the weather and urge all students, faculty and staff to do so as well. Carol Shelby, Purdue's senior director for environmental health and public safety, said updates, including potential decisions about classes, would be posted on the university's home page.
Everyone should dress appropriately for these conditions and review their winter preparation procedures. The following Web site provides winter weather preparation information: Ready.gov: https://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/winter.html
The site offers several tips for dealing with winter weather, including the following suggestions for cold temperatures:
* Several layers of lightweight, warm clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy layer.
* Wear a hat to prevent body heat loss from your head.
* Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
* Mittens that fit snugly at the wrist are better than gloves.
* Try to stay dry and out of the wind as much as possible.
Underground walkways also are available at various campus locations. Those walkways connect the Northwestern Street parking garage to the Materials and Electrical Engineering Building; University Street parking garage to the Steven C. Beering Hall of Liberal Arts and Education; and Purdue Memorial Union, the Krannert Building, Young Hall and the Marsteller Street, Wood Street and Grant Street parking garages. Enclosed bridges from the Krannert Building to Rawls Hall and from Discovery Park's Birk Nanotechnology Center to the Bindley Bioscience Center also are available.
The last time Purdue suspended classes because of severe cold was in January 1994. On Feb. 14, 2007, the university declared a 24-hour snow recess during which classes were suspended and only essential personnel were asked to report to work.
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