SIDNEY, Neb. (NCN) — A blast of Arctic air is set to grip the Nebraska Panhandle region this week, bringing dangerous cold and accumulating snow as a polar vortex pushes bitter temperatures across the Rockies and northern Plains.

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold warning from 10 p.m. Monday through 11 a.m. Thursday for Scotts Bluff, Banner, Morrill, Kimball and Cheyenne counties, with wind chills expected to drop as low as minus 35 degrees. Garden, Deuel, Keith, Perkins, Chase and Sedgwick Counties are also included in the warning.

A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday, with an additional 2 to 5 inches of snowfall expected, for each county in the Nebraska Panhandle. Blowing snow could reduce visibility and create slick road conditions, with heavier snow bands and potential snow squalls making travel hazardous. Motorists are urged to drive with caution and allow extra time for commutes.

The polar vortex, which typically keeps frigid air near the North Pole, is being disrupted by Arctic weather forces, sending freezing temperatures deep into the U.S. and Europe. This latest blast of extreme cold comes after winter storms pummeled the eastern U.S. over the weekend, killing at least 10 people, including nine in Kentucky who died during flash flooding from heavy rains. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Sunday that at least 1,000 people stranded by floods had to be rescued. The National Weather Service has also warned of life-threatening cold across the northern Plains into Tuesday, with northeastern Montana expected to experience lows as extreme as minus 45 degrees.

Wind chills in the Nebraska Panhandle will be severe enough to cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes, according to forecasters. Residents are advised to limit time outdoors and dress in layers, including hats, face masks and gloves. Those with pets or livestock should take precautions to protect animals from prolonged exposure. Officials also encourage checking on elderly neighbors or those without adequate heating.

The impending winter weather has already led to numerous closures, postponements and cancellations across the region. View the updated list here.

The bitter cold will persist beyond Tuesday’s snowfall, with subzero wind chills continuing through Thursday morning.

Similar conditions are expected in northeastern Colorado, including Sterling and Akron, where wind chills could reach minus 25 degrees.

The National Weather Service urges residents to prepare by keeping emergency kits in vehicles, ensuring heating systems are functioning properly, and staying indoors as much as possible.