MADISON, Wis. -- Bitterly cold temperatures on Monday prompted dozens of area schools to close or delay opening and proved Wisconsin winters can still pack a wallop.

TALKBACK: Missed Winter Weather?

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for most of the southern portion of the state until 10 a.m. on Tuesday. About 32 counties have been affected.

NWS officials said that temperatures across southeast and south-central Wisconsin were between -10 and -20 degrees. They said that coupled with west winds of 5 to 15 mph, observed wind chill readings were as low as -35 below in Waukesha and Racine.

They said that the worst conditions will persist through Tuesday morning with wind chill values between -25 and -34.

Bitter cold temperatures and winds of 5 to 15 mph at night, and 10 to 20 mph during the day will cause dangerously cold wind chills into Tuesday morning. Wind chills will frequently be between 20 and 34 degrees below zero.

NWS officials said that when it is this cold, motorists should make sure their vehicles' fuel tanks are at least half-full and the batteries are charged. They said not to touch metal surfaces with uncovered hands as skin might freeze on contact. They suggest wearing several layers of clothing and avoid having exposed flesh. Frostbite in these conditions can occur with exposed flesh in just 10 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, about 129 Madison area schools, including the Madison Metropolitan School District, closed or delayed because of the frigid temperatures.

For the latest school closing information, visit Channel 3000's School Closing section.

The same holds true for schools across Wisconsin as the deep freeze settles over the Badger State. Many school administrators said that they decided it was just too dangerous to send children outdoors. The state's largest district -- Milwaukee Public Schools -- is among those closed.

With temperatures in the double-digits below zero, the weather has an icy grip on the state, with daytime highs unlikely to break 0 degrees.

Several hundred customers in southeastern Wisconsin lost power on Monday morning, and subsequently their heat. We Energies spokesman Rick James said that power was restored in the Germantown area by mid-morning.

Meanwhile, AAA officials are reporting a spike in emergency road due to the extremely cold weather.

Spokeswoman Pam Moen said that it received more than 3,200 calls on Sunday -- nearly four times the number on the same date last year.

Moen said that it received more than 1,000 calls by mid-morning on Monsday, more than three times the number at the same time on this date last year.

She said that it's been a long time since temperatures have been this low in the state, and many vehicles are not starting.

Milwaukee Authorities Report Crimes Down In Cold Weather

Authorities throughout the metro Milwaukee area said that the bitter cold weather has put a freeze on crime and disabled vehicles.

Milwaukee Police Capt. Gregory Habeck said that there were only four armed robberies in a 24-hour period over the weekend -- lower than a typical weekend.

He said that there are simply fewer people out and about during the cold weather.

Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department public information officer Kim Brooks said that deputies will be on the look out for disabled vehicles. But she said that this weekend has been slow because more people are staying inside.

The sheriffs departments in Ozaukee, Racine, Washington and Waukesha counties are also saying that they've had a fewer-than-expected number of vehicle break downs this weekend.

Waukesha County Sheriff's Department Communications Shift Commander Tracy Lewis said that maybe enough people knew about the cold that they got their cars tuned up.

For the latest weather information, visit Channel 3000's Weather section.

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