At 7:30 a.m., we are at 8 degrees. The temperature has actually dropped over the last two hours.

The cold is painful and dangerous for children, the elderly, people without shelter, pets and you.

We still have a wind chill warning until 9 a.m., with hope that the winds will die down somewhat and the sun will bring a little relief. The winds will blow from the north at 5-10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph, leading to wind chill values as low as 5 below 0.

The intense cold has created a high demand for electricity. Power disruptions are possible. People who rely on electricity for medical equipment should have an alternate source available.

The cold will last into Friday, meaning your pipes and plants will be exposed to freezing temperatures over a long period. If you can stand the cold, make sure your outdoor pipes are insulated and protected.

After last night, many vulnerable neighbors may need help staying warm. Be sure to check on them today. Tonight’s low will be in the teens again.

And we’re still in danger of wildfires in the extremely dry, windy conditions, at least through Saturday.

Today will be sunny, but we will reach a high of only 24 degrees. That means you must protect yourself throughout the day. Tonight, we drop to 17 or lower, with south southwest winds of 6-10 mph.

Friday will be sunny again, but with a cold high of 39, and more wind from the southwest, around 8 mph. We’re back into the teens, 16, for Friday night, with winds from the northwest at around 6 mph.

We don’t get any reprieve Saturday, either, with a high of 35 and north wind at 3-5 mph. It will be sunny again. Saturday night, down we go to 19 degrees.

Sunday, the high will climb to 41, but a 40 percent chance of rain moves in Sunday night, with a low of 33. Another forecast  predicts a 40 percent chance of snow and a low of 30, with up to an inch of accumulation. We’ll have to hold on and see what happens.

The new week includes a chance of rain through Wednesday. Monday, rain is likely, with clouds and a high of 45. The chance of rain is 60 percent. Monday night, the chance drops to 50 percent, with a low of 35.

The 50 percent chance of rain drags into Tuesday, with a high near 45. The chance falls to 40 percent Tuesday night, with another low of 35.

And Wednesday brings a 40 percent chance of rain with slightly warmer temperatures, a high of 47.