Many Missouri schools call off classes due to cold

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - Schools across Missouri are calling off classes for Wednesday because of plummeting temperatures.

The extreme cold and record-breaking temperatures are crawling into a swath of states from North Dakota to Missouri and into Ohio. Much of Missouri is under a wind chill warning or advisory, with wind chills expected to drop as low as minus 30 degrees Wednesday. The National Weather Service said the cold could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

Schools stretching from St. Louis in the east, through central districts such as Columbia, Fulton and Jefferson City, and into northwestern districts like St. Joseph called off Wednesday classes.

Pets also are at risk. KRCG-TV reports animal control officers in Jefferson City will be conducting increased patrols looking for pets left outside in the cold.