Fond du Lac warming shelters adjust to deadly cold weather this weekend

A blast of extremely cold artic air still looks to be on track for the area this weekend.

The National Weather Service has changed the Extreme Cold Watch to an Extreme Cold Warning starting Thursday, January 22, 2026, at midnight and extending to Friday afternoon at 1 PM.

Temperatures overnight will drop to around -17 both tonight and Friday night with highs Friday only making it up to -8.

Winds blowing 20-30 miles per hour will cause windchill values as low as 40 degrees below 0.

Because of the colder than normal conditions, area warming shelters have modified their hours and maximum capacities for the weekend.

St. Katherine Drexel Shelter on north Peters Avenue says they are able to expand their shelters capacity by as much as 25% thanks to a variance from the Fond du Lac Fire Rescue Department, going from 100 people to 125 to 130 people.

The Holy Family warming shelter near down town is a much smaller facility so their variance only allows for up to three additional people, but they have also extended their hours in the morning from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Holy Families Sarah Razner explains the benefits of the two extra hours allows those staying at the shelter to stay out of the cold until other facilities in the area open at 9 a.m.

Both shelters say they plan to re-evaluate their housing capacities Monday when temperatures look to warm slightly to above negative temperatures.