Dangerous wind chills expected this weekend
Executive order loosens rules to get more propane deliveries out
Dangerous wind chills between minus 15 and minus 25 degrees are expected in Milwaukee on Saturday, according to a wind chill advisory from the National Weather Service in Sullivan.
Such wind chills will cause frostbite to exposed skin in 30 minutes, and anyone planning to be outdoors should dress in multiple layers and wear a hat and gloves, the advisory warns.
Hypothermia will be another danger posed by the frigid conditions that are expected to lash east-central, south-central and southeastern Wisconsin with wind gusts from the northwest of up to 30 mph, the weather service said.
The advisory will be in effect from midnight Friday until noon Saturday, with the coldest wind chills expected from 5 to 10 a.m.
But single and double-digit wind chills will persist through at least Monday, and the actual air temperature will drop to about minus 4 by Sunday night, the weather service said.
Milwaukee police said Friday that plunging temperatures this week have been accompanied by an uptick in stolen vehicles.
In the past week the department has received 118 reports of stolen vehicles, WTMJ-TV (Channel 4) reported.
"A cold car is better than no car!" police tweeted this week.
Police warned motorists to lock their vehicles at all times, and to never leave vehicles running while unattended.
Motorists also should never leave vehicle keys in ignitions, should always remove all valuables from their vehicles and always be aware of their surroundings, police said.
Police asked residents to report suspicious vehicles and victims of a vehicle-related crime to immediately call 911 if it's an emergency, or (414) 933-4444.
Also Friday, Gov. Scott Walker signed an executive order designed to increase access to propane for people who rely on it to heat their homes.
The order declared a state of emergency in response to propane outages and wait times. Walker said the problem is caused by below-normal temperatures across the Midwest and a shortage of drivers.
The order exempts drivers in the process of obtaining or transporting propane from certain federal and state requirements limiting how long they can be on the road.
It also forbids motor carriers from requiring or allowing an ill or fatigued driver to work. And any driver on duty for more than 70 hours during eight consecutive days must be given at least 34 hours off.
A high temperature of 5 degrees is expected in Milwaukee Saturday, with a low of about 1 expected Saturday night, but the brisk northwest winds will make it feel much colder, the weather service said.
A 30% chance of snow showers after midnight Saturday will increase to 40% Sunday, with mostly cloudy skies, a high temperature near 12 degrees and northwest winds of 10 to 15 mph.
A low of minus 4 is expected Sunday night, with a west wind of about 10 mph. New Year's Day is expected to be sunny, with a high near 5 and northwest winds of 10 to 15 mph, according to the weather service forecast.