GREENVILLE, Wis. (WFRV) -Travelers stepping off the plane at Appleton International Airport (ATW) weren’t just coming home. They walked into frigid temperatures even seasoned Wisconsinites aren’t prepared for.
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“It was in the high sixties and low seventies,” Mark and Sandy Matthews said.
They just arrived from Nevada, where they jokingly said they didn’t want to leave.
“We were hoping it would get delayed so we’d stay out there,” the Matthews said.
After days of warmer destinations, the reality set in quickly with wind chills near -40 degrees greeting passengers.
“Can’t wait to escape it, this is the perfect week too,” David Huber said. “The whole week is supposed to be below 0, who would ever think it’s below 0?”
Huber said he was happy he picked this week to leave.
“Florida is supposed to be really hot, so I am looking forward to that,” Huber said.
Behind the scenes, airport crews are still keeping flights moving despite the extreme cold.
“Unfortunately, it is bitterly cold outside, but our crews have prepared for that; they have extra hats, coats, coverings over their faces, making sure crews get out of here safely,” Appleton International Airport Director Abe Weber said.
Weber said safety is the top priority, making sure crews limit their time outside.
“The object is to get out there, to the job safely and then come back inside so they can maintain their safety so they aren’t getting too cold when they are out there,” Weber said.
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Weber says that at this time, ATW is seeing no disruptions due to cold weather.
Click here for the latest forecast from Storm Team 5.
