Hopefully by now, NIU students have successfully thawed out after the extreme cold that hit the DeKalb area Tuesday.

The National Weather Service reported Tuesday’s low temperature at 13 degrees below zero at 6 a.m. The wind chill factor made it feel like 32 to 40 degrees below zero.

The extended forecast for the next five days calls for slightly warming temperatures, with highs ranging from 15 to 20 degrees and lows in the single digits.

A cold front reaching from Central Illinois to Central Texas rolled into DeKalb Monday and collided with a high pressure system, causing frigid temperatures and dangerous wind chills.

The cold weather didn’t cause too many problems with necessary utilities around NIU, other than making life a bit tough for the students going to class.

Tony Coyle, assistant chief plant operating engineer at NIU’s heating plant, said there were no problems with getting NIU heat.

The Huskie Busline reported normal problems with starting up the buses in the cold weather but Jack Kozumplik, charter manager, said all buses got out on their scheduled time.

Although Rosemary Lane, University Health Service director said there were no reports of students with symptoms of frostbite or hypothermia, everyone should be aware of what the cold weather can do and what to do if you have symptoms.

Symptoms of frostbite range from skin turning a white or grayish-yellow color to a sudden tingling or numbness of the skin.

If this occurs, gently wrap the affected area in clothing or press against a warmer part of the body. Never rub the affected area. Try to find shelter as soon as possible and quickly place the affected area in warm fluid or warm clothes. Never try to warm up with a fire or with extremely hot fluids because there is a chance of burning the skin. Soak until circulation starts again and then slowly exercise the area. Finally, wrap the area in sterile gauze and wait for it to fully heal.

Hypothermia involves a sudden drop of total body temperature that requires immediate attention. Symptoms include discoloring of the skin and sudden numbness of parts of the body. Try to seek shelter as soon as possible and immediately wrap the area in some kind of warm clothing or blankets.

The best advice for everyone right now is to bundle up, stay outside no longer than needed and keep a smile on your face. Spring is only 88 days away.