Left, one view of this year’s Bayfield Sea & Ice Caves in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore at Meyer’s Beach. Blistering temps each winter create the icicle art in northern Wisconsin. (Contributed photo)

By Patrick Lynn

The polar vortex is here to stay- at least for another week.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory in effects from 9 PM Tuesday through noon on Wednesday, with wind chill values reaching the -30 mark throughout the night. And it doesn’t get much better from there. A mass of arctic air is once again bringing Wisconsin- and a significant portion of the eastern 2/3 of the country- subzero temperatures through at least Sunday.

Temperatures are expected to be about 20 degrees below normal for this time of year, according to the NWS. Highs in the Stevens Point Area aren’t expected to climb out of the single digits.

The only good things about the next week’s forecast are lots of sunshine and very little snow.

Wednesday

Patchy blowing snow in the afternoon, mostly sunny and a high near 8 and low of -11. Wind chill values between -15 and -30.

Thursday

Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near 0 and northwest winds 7-10 mph. Lows around -22.

Friday

Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 7. Friday night mostly cloudy with a low around -11.

Saturday– Opening Day at Belt’s Soft Serve

Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near 5 and a low of -8.

Sunday

Partly sunny, with a high near 12 and a low around -2.