By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

A bitter cold front has Ellis County in a winter weather advisory starting Monday at 3 p.m.

According to Meteorologist Kelly Sudgen from the National Weather Service in Dodge City, Ellis County is in for what he called  a “twofer.”

Sudgen said Ellis County is expected to receive 2 to 3  inches of snow, but the big concern is the bitter cold temperatures. City of Hays crews began treating streets for potential snowfall Monday morning.

Sudgen said due to a cold weather mass coming in from Canada, the high on Tuesday is expected to be in the single digits with a wind-chill factor of up -20 degrees.

Sudgen said travel should not be effected but did have some advice.

“Animals — make sure they are inside and especially with the wind-chill factor,” he said. “As far as humans, it only takes 20 to 30 minutes at -15 and -20 to get hypothermia or frostbite, so make sure to bundle up and we are plenty of layers.”

Sudgen said this cold weather mass is unusual. He said Ellis County averages around 40 degrees this time of year.

Lower-than-normal temperatures are expected through mid-week with Wednesday’s high at 18 degrees but with a negative 19 windchill factor in the morning.

Sudgen said conditions will improve New Years Day as the front moves south.

The US National Weather Service has more details HERE.