The 'Coldest Air In A Generation' Slams The Upper Midwest

From The Weather Channel

If you're in the path of this "polar vortex," we don't have to remind you how cold it is. But for many Americans, the weather hitting the UPPER MIDWEST of the country is hard to imagine.

CNN reports, "Officials warned of almost instant frostbite as temperatures in the region plunged below zero WEDNESDAY. Some state offices are closed and postal workers won't deliver mail in 10 states. Thousands of flights have been canceled along with dozens of train services -- most of them in and out of CHICAGO. About 212 million people -- or 72% of the continental US population -- will see temperatures drop below freezing over the next few days. And more than 83 million Americans -- about 25% of the US population -- will suffer subzero temperatures at some point between WEDNESDAY and MONDAY. With at least five deaths linked to the extreme conditions this week, authorities are urging people to bundle up, stay inside and check up on the elderly and vulnerable in what experts are describing as 'the coldest air in a generation'."

CUMULUS News/Talk WLS-A/CHICAGO PD PETER BOLGER shared,  "First of all, the safety of our team members is most important. For those that had long commutes, we arranged for overnight hotel accomodations across the street from our studios in the NBC Tower. For those that chose to drive in, we arranged to have indoor parking available to them. WLS-A News Director JOHN DEMPSEY and his team have been providing updates at least twice an hour for WLS, keeping listeners up to date with closings, mass transit issues, and where to find a place to stay warm. They've also been providing custom reports for our FM stations. Of course, thery're still staying on top of the other big stories, a Mayoral race with 14 candidates and a city alderman charged with attempted extortion. That news never stops in CHICAGO! Props also to our partners at THE WEATHER CHANNEL. They're on with us twice per hour, keeping CHICAGO up to date with the watches and the warnings, and have gone live for extended coverage with hosts MANCOW (who picked the perfect week to give away a trip to MEXICO!) and JOHN HOWELL who, in his new PMD show, has been covering all of the angles since last FRIDAY. Looking forward to the weekend when temps are expected to be in the 40s!"

iHEARTMEDIA/CHICAGO SVP/Programming JAMES HOWARD shared with ALL ACCESS, "All our brands are chipping in, especially to help our homeless population here in CHICAGO before the cold temps arrived today. Now that it’s truly dangerous to be outside, we are doing what radio does best, being the companion for CHICAGO and thanking those who have no choice but to brave the conditions to helps others. These are the days that radio connects the most, and I couldn’t be more proud of our iHEARTRADIO/CHICAGO team." 

iHEARTMEDIA MARKETS GROUP Brand Mgr./PD-WESTERN GREAT LAKES REGION CHAD ABBOTT expressed a pretty positive spin. "To be honest guys there really isn’t much that changes between 5 degrees and -25 below. Outside of schools and a few business being closed that we announce/share socially its pretty much business as usual. Many listeners are probably staying home today with schools closed so our content is set to be entertaining to get them to listen longer since more of the listening will be done at home likely than the normal commuter listenership." 

ENTERCOM News-Talk WCCO-A/MINNEAPOLIS PD JOHN HANSON told ALL ACCESS, "Aside from carrying out the frequent weather updates on air and online that have been part of our station’s rich history of keeping the public informed in dangerous weather conditions, we’ve really maximized the use of our afternoon drive personality and meteorologist, PAUL DOUGLAS. He’s been one of the most trusted weather voices in our region for four decades, so we’ve used him on the morning show and in every newscast around the clock, telling people what to expect, outlining just how dangerous it is, and how take precautions. We’ve also had a little fun digging into the archives, playing audio from all-time record lows being reached in MINNESOTA."

HUBBARD BROADCASTING Hot AC KSTP (KS95)/MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL OM/PD LEIGHTON PECK shares, "Well it’s MINNESOTA, so it’s just part of life here. Today many businesses decided to close because of the temps as I write this are 26 below with a wind chill of under 57 below. Our morning show is here, live, entertaining whoever is listening. Ha!

"We’re keeping our listeners up to date with weather information from our sister television station meteorologists letting everyone know what they need to do to be as safe as possible if they absolutely need to venture out. Today to take our minds off the cold we’re giving away a trip to the GRAMMY’s in L.A. so it helps you think of something other than the weather. But basically, for those that need to, including us, we’re working, living our lives. Just another day in paradise ;) bundle up and head out!"

iHEARTMEDIA Classic Hits KQQL (KOOL 108)/MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL PD MATT TELL notes that "We’re using on-air and online messaging about safety, school closings and what you can do when it’s this cold."

On top of personal safety advice and school reports, the station also offered:

• Did you know -- cold
• Home & Vehicle Tips
• Ways to stay warm
• Kids Things to do when trapped inside 
• Binge-worthy shows
• Cold weather food

iHEARTMEDIA Top 40 WZEE (Z104)/MADISON, WI PD KATIE KRUZ shares with ALL ACCESS, "It is sitting pretty mild at a balmy -22° right now without the windchill. :/ Very very cold! We have teamed up with THE SALVATION ARMY to collect dire needed items for the shelters this week. SUNDAY the 27th the iHEART/MADISON cluster launched a 'Share The Warmth' campaign. We are asking our listeners to donate the dire needed items To THE SALVATION ARMY and we will be delivering the items to the shelters this week." 

ENTERCOM/MADISON OM/Programming CHASE DANIELS told us, "If the garage door opens and the car starts... our programming staff made it into work! I never heard one single complaint. They are pros. It’s why they do what they do. We’re keeping our listeners warm with what we do best... they come to us to escape the scary... so we’re still doing what our fans come to us for normally but we are mixing in updates all day with all things weather, traffic and closings around the area." 

ENTERCOM/INDIANAPOLIS OM JR AMMONS tells ALL ACCESS, "It’s not as bad as the ice storm we had a few years ago, but with air temperatures around -10 and wind chills at -30, schools and businesses all over our community are closed today.  This, obviously, gives us the opportunity to focus on our city. We’re giving updates on the closures all day today, getting weather updates from our TV partner and encouraging everyone to stay inside and snuggle up to the radio with a warm cup of cocoa." 

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