Dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills have caused offices, businesses, and services to be closed across the state. The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning in effect until noon Thursday. The NWS states near-historic cold and life-threatening wind chills are expected over eastern Iowa and western Illinois through Thursday morning. The cold temperatures with the wind are expected to cause wind chills in the range of 30-60 degrees below zero. In this weather, frostbite on exposed skin could happen in as little as five minutes.

Due to the weather, all Washington County offices are closed Wednesday and will reopen Thursday. Employees will be paid for the eight hours as though they worked.

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