SIDNEY, Neb. - An Extreme Cold Warning expanded across western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming as dangerously low temperatures continue to threaten the region.

The warning is in effect from 11 p.m. Sunday to 2 p.m. Monday, now covering Dawes, Box Butte, Garden, Morrill, Northern Sheridan, Sioux, Cheyenne, Kimball, Banner and Scottsbluff counties in Nebraska, along with Converse, Niobrara, Central Carbon and the Laramie Valley in Wyoming. A cold weather advisory goes into effect at 2 p.m. Monday and lasts until 11 a.m. Tuesday.

The National Weather Service warns of temperatures plunging to as low as 41 below zero, with wind chills making it feel even colder. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur within minutes under these conditions. Residents are urged to avoid outdoor activities or take precautions, including dressing in layers with hats, gloves, and face coverings.

Sunday night, cloudy skies gradually become partly cloudy, with a low around -6. Wind chill values between -15 and -25. North wind 5 to 15 mph. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, skies will be sunny, but cold temps settle in with a high near 2. Wind chill values between -20 and -30. Blustery, with a north-northwest wind of 15 to 25 mph, gusting as high as 35 mph. Mostly clear skies Monday night, with a low around -8. Wind chill values between -20 and -25. West-southwest wind around 10 mph. Temperatures rebound on Tuesday with increasing clouds and a high near 38. West wind around 15 mph.

Several schools have announced closures and delays due to the extreme weather Monday:

  • Alliance Public Schools: Late start Monday at 10 a.m.
  • Bridgeport Public Schools: 10 a.m. late start Monday
  • Chadron Public Schools: Closed Monday – No school, practices, or activities.
  • Chase County Public Schools: 10 a.m. late start Monday
  • Crawford Public Schools: Closed Monday – No practices or activities.
  • Garden County Public Schools: Late start Monday at 10 a.m. No morning preschool nor breakfast.
  • Hay Springs Public Schools: Closed Monday. Late start Tuesday at 10 a.m.
  • Hemingford Public Schools: Closed Monday. Late start Tuesday at 10 a.m.; buses will run accordingly.
  • Kimball Public Schools: Late start Monday at 10 a.m.; PreK will run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Buses will run accordingly. Late start Tuesday at 10 a.m. as well.
  • Leyton Public Schools: Late start Monday at 10 a.m. 
  • Perkins County Schools: 10 a.m. late start on Monday and Tuesday
  • Potter-Dix Public Schools: Late start Monday at 10 a.m. Busses and vans will run accordingly.
  • Sidney Public Schools: Two-hour late start Monday
  • South Platte Public Schools: 10 a.m. late start Monday