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Officials Urge Preparation as Extreme Cold Approaches Louisville Area; JCPS Closed on Monday

Go herefor Monday's updates.Update 7:12 p.m.: More Schools ClosedBullitt County Public Schools and New Albany-Floyd County Schoolsaren't opening on Monday because of the weather, either.That brings the list to:Jefferson County Public Schools, Jefferson County Catholic schools, Oldham County Schools, Greater Clark County SchoolsClarksville Community Schools and Nelson County Schools. UofL is staying closed Monday, too. Below is a Tweet from Jefferson Community & Technical College: 

If we're missing a large school district in the area, let us know here.Update 6:30 p.m.: TimingIn its updated briefing, the National Weather Service says Louisville should start getting a rain/snow mix sometime around 8 p.m. Sunday and all snow at midnight. Updated totals map below:

Update 5:50 p.m.: University of Louisville ClosesUofL has canceled classes and closed offices on Monday because of the impending weather situation.Update 5 p.m.: More Closed SchoolsA few more school closing in Kentucky and Indiana:

Update 4:45 p.m.: 'People Should Be Prepared'A dispatch from WFPL's Gabe Bullard and Erin Keane:As extreme cold settles into the region, Louisville Metro Government, homeless shelters and businesses are preparing for the dangers associated with low temperatures and frozen precipitation.A single-digit high temperature is expected Monday (as of 4 p.m., the predicted high is 3 degrees Fahrenheit), with accompanying snow. Low temperatures will be below zero."You'll see a 15-20 degree temperature change overnight. Next thing you know we'll be at zero by morning," says John Gordon with the National Weather Service. "We're concerned about a flash freeze [on the roads]."Gordon says the high winds will help dry the roads, but will contribute to a windchill of about 25 below.The wind is also making it difficult to properly treat roads ahead of a potential flash freeze of water on streets. Crews are treating roads now.Jefferson County Public Schools and Catholic schools will be closed Monday. Many area businesses have also closed. All city buildings will be open, but Mayor Greg Fischer isn't necessarily encouraging everyone to continue as normal in the cold."We ask all the people to consult with their managers. It's up to their discretion, obviously," he says. "Exercise common sense."While temperatures will rise after Monday, the rest of the week won't bring much relief. High temperatures are below freezing until Wednesday, and a wintry mix is in the forecast for Thursday.City and weather officials encourage anyone with pets to bring them inside before the temperature begins dropping more quickly. Residents are also encouraged to check on their neighbors, and exercise caution using other sources for heat in the event of a power outage. The Louisville Water Company has encouraged residents to run a small stream of water to prevent pipes from freezing.“From all indications, this storm will bring sustained cold weather that the city hasn’t seen in many years,” Mayor Greg Fischer said in a news release. “People should be prepared to protect themselves, their families, friends and neighbors.”Homeless shelters will not turn away anyone seeking a warm place to stay. The city says crews from Wayside, Seven Counties Services and the Veteran's Administration are looking for homeless who are still outside. Update 3:40 p.m.: Jefferson County Catholic Schools Closed, tooThe Archdiocese of Louisville is closing its schools in Jefferson County on Monday, too.Update 3 p.m.: JCPS Closed MondayJefferson County Public Schools will be closed on Monday because of the weather forecast, the school district announced Sunday afternoon.Earlier: The Louisville area is forecast to get very, very cold starting Sunday as an Arctic cold front hits the region, the National Weather Service said.On top of that: snow.Temperatures were in the upper 4os Sunday afternoon, but the weather service expects that to change rapidly; wind chill values on Monday morning may reach 20- to 30-degrees below zero. Afternoon rain is forecast to convert into snow, leaving 2 to 5 inches in Southern Indiana and 1 to 2 inches south of the Ohio River, including Louisville.The rain-t0-snow switch is expected at about 7 p.m. Sunday—about the time the temperature falls drastically.The weather service said "This will result in a rapid freeze of moisture on exposed surfaces. This combined with the falling snow will lead to very hazardous road conditions across the region tonight. Winds will also increase this evening which combined with the cold air will make wind chill values fall below 20-below and 30-below zero during the morning hours Monday."Louisville and surround areas will be under a Wind Chill Warning from 1 a.m. Monday to 1 p.m. Tuesday. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 3 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday.Mayor Greg Fischer has called a news conference for 3 p.m. to discuss the city's plans. We'll update after that. And we'll keep an eye on forecasts, school closings and such, updating here.

Joseph Lord is the online managing editor for WFPL.