Extreme cold is causing school districts across Wisconsin to cancel classes on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold warning from midnight through noon on Tuesday for many parts of the state. Officials said that the frigid weather could bring wind chills of 25 below zero to 34 below zero in parts of southern Wisconsin. They said that wind chills as low as 35 below zero can cause frostbite on exposed skin in 10 minutes.

As a result, many districts announced Monday plans to call off school for the day. Among the districts that will be closed on Tuesday include:

Milwaukee
Madison
Green Bay
Wausau
Kenosha
Racine
La Crosse
Stevens Point
Sheboygan
Janesville
Sun Prairie
Verona
Stoughton
Middleton-Cross Plains School District
Oconomowoc
Waukesha
Wauwatosa
Whitefish Bay
South Milwaukee
Wisconsin Rapids
Ashwaubenon
Manitowoc
Whitewater
Amery
Hayward
Chippewa Falls
Black River Falls
Tomah
Platteville
Fort Atkinson
Waupun

Some Wisconsin school districts had previously planned to be closed Tuesday for staff professional development. Students in the Eau Claire Area School District already had Tuesday off for a staff work day scheduled for the first three days of this week. Students will return to class in that district on Thursday. Likewise, students in the Oshkosh Area School District, Fond du Lac School District and Neenah Joint School District, among others, already had Tuesday off because of a staff development day and are slated to return on Wednesday.

Most districts are also shuttering most school-related activities on Tuesday. In Milwaukee, the closure includes all schools, central services and after-school activities. In Madison, all after-school activities, early childhood, 4K programs, athletic events, practices and school co-curricular activities have been canceled. In addition, all MSCR programs and activities will be called off. The Appleton Area School District is also cancelling all before and after-school care, as well as all after-school activities, including sports practices, games, performances and meetings.

In the Racine Unified School District, the day will be made up on Monday, Feb. 17, in place of the winter break day.

Officials in the Sheboygan Area School District said Monday that after-school and evening activities will be held as scheduled as “Extreme Cold Warning is expected to be lifted mid-day. This includes sports practices, games and Rec Department fitness classes starting after 3 p.m.”

Officials with the St. Croix Central District Schools said classes will be held Tuesday, but will start two hours late. They said that there will not be 4K classes and Kids CARE will also open two hours late. They said all after-school activities will happen as scheduled.

NWS officials advised people to dress in layers, including a hat, face mask and gloves if they go outside.

Stay tuned to Civic Media for continuing coverage.

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