NORFOLK, Neb. -- Winter storm warnings have been issued over much of the midwest and Nebraska is feeling the effects.

On Wednesday morning in Norfolk, wind chills were down to -4 and it’s only expected to get colder as the week goes on.

The distance operations maintenance manager for the Nebraska Department of Transportation Tim Koenig warned people of how serious this cold front is.

“It’s going to be very dangerous with the wind chills of what we’re talking right now,” said Koening. “If you don’t have to be out there, I would advise not to be.”

Along with the intense temperatures, the wind is expected to get even worse as the day goes on and could get to as high as 45 mph.

If anyone decides to travel in these types of conditions, the Nebraska Department of Transportation said travelers putting themselves at a huge risk. 

“If you get stuck, hypothermia [and] frostbite, those type of things can happen really quickly when it’s like this types of temperatures especially with the wind blowing,” Koening said. 

It’s always dangerous to travel during high winds and Koening added there’s other potential risk factors. 

“From the cold affecting the engines and everything,” said Koening. “The visibility is not going to be very good on top of this with blowing and drifting snow."

Thursday is expected to be even more extreme. The National Weather Service is saying wind chills could get as low as -45 with wind gusts getting as high as 44 mph.