After an uneventful December and a mild January, the entire Midwest region was hit with what CNN reporters dubbed an “arctic blast” this February. This extremely frigid weather, which has fluctuated since Sunday, Jan. 28, hit hazardously low temperatures starting Monday.

Schools in various districts in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin closed Monday because of the dangerous conditions. In these states, low temperatures reached below negative 10 degrees Fahrenheit, with the wind chill factor bringing the temperature down to negative 30 to 40 degrees.

In Urbana-Champaign, Monday’s low was negative seven degrees, with a wind chill factor of negative 22 degrees and 10 mile-per-hour winds. This gives the average unprotected person 30 minutes before they contract some form of frostbite, said Michael Palecki, regional climatologist for the Midwest Regional Climate Center.

In Chicago, where the wind chill reached negative 30 degrees, frostbite could be contracted in 15 minutes, Palecki said.

Combined with the 4.8 inches of snow on Tuesday, Feb. 6, the severe conditions have led to various inconveniences for students.

“I was sick last week (because of the cold.) I don’t like it,” said Jessica Kiska, freshman in LAS.

Many students altered their plans this weekend to avoid being outside for lengthy periods of time, and some students would not leave their dorm rooms at all.

“I haven’t experienced anything like this. It’s been kind of hindering me going outside period,” said Colin Reid, sophomore in Engineering. The weather is affecting businesses as well.

On Monday at 10:30 p.m., a fire alarm went off at Park Place Towers, 202 E. Green St., due to the sprinkler system pipes freezing and bursting. The ensuing water damage engulfed the eighth floor apartment it originated in, the apartment below it and two neighboring apartments.

By the time water extraction crews arrived on the scene at midnight, the damage was extensive. The result was a complete re-carpeting of the floors and renovation of the ceilings and sprinkler system, said Marian Booth, general manager of Bankier Apartments, the realty company that owns Park Place Towers.

“This is probably one of the worst weather-related weeks we’ve had, and I’ve been doing this for 26 years,” Booth said.

Because of the great risk of hypothermia and frostbite, it is important to keep outdoor activities to a minimum, Palecki said.

Although the sudden cold weather is shocking, it is not unprecedented. No weather records were broken so far, with the current temperature record being negative 14 degrees, set in 1996.

This is still a warm winter overall, said Palecki.