UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — With bitterly cold wind chills reaching much of central and northeast Pennsylvania today (Feb. 3) into tomorrow (Feb. 4), the Penn State community is advised to take precautions to stay warm and safe heading into the weekend. 

The National Weather Service has issued wind chill advisories in several counties throughout the region. Gusty winds and plunging temperatures could lead to wind chills reaching 15 to 20 degrees below zero through late Saturday morning. Milder conditions are expected to return late Saturday and Sunday. 

Due to the possibility of frostbite on exposed skin and the dangers of hypothermia, faculty, staff and students are urged to stay indoors when possible, and dress appropriately in layers and wear a hat and gloves at all times when outdoors, being sure to avoid any unnecessary skin exposure. Additional information on how to stay safe during extreme cold weather can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.   

The Office of Physical Plant is preparing for the extreme cold by having additional personnel on hand to address any building-related emergencies, such as broken water lines, caused by the frigid temperatures. Faculty, staff and students are asked to immediately report any building-related problems to the OPP Work Reception Center, which is staffed 24/7 and can dispatch response crews, by calling 814-865-4731. 

Employees are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety and use their own best judgment when considering traveling to or from campus. Faculty and staff should also review “Handling Weather Day Absences” (Human Resources Guideline 10) online, for information.  

Individuals can stay informed about the status of activities at University Park by using Penn State’s PSUAlert system, Twitter, the Penn State News website and WPSU TV and radio.