Bitter cold temperatures, strong wind gusts and blowing snow are posing dangerous conditions today for residents across Michiana, with additional accumulating snow and even frostier temperatures on tap for Sunday night.

The National Weather Service this morning issued a winter weather advisory and wind chill warning that are in effect until Monday for northern Indiana.

Temperatures ranging from 5 degrees above zero to near 5 degrees below zero, combined with strong winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour will create wind chills between 15 and 30 degrees below zero, the weather service said.

Strong winds will cause blowing snow, creating difficult driving conditions. And the NWS said winds will create havoc with trees and power lines already covered with ice or weakened by the recent ice storm.

Lake effect snow is expected Sunday afternoon and into Monday morning.

Earlier Sunday, emergency dispatchers in Marshall County said north-south roads were especially dangerous because of near whiteout conditions, and new power outages were being reported as homes hit by ice and wind damage were tested by a new round of punishing winds and snow.

Pulaski County described "nasty" whiteout conditions. And in Kosciusko County, authorities said the new round of power outages were affecting people all over the county.

Warsaw was especially hard hit, according to Indiana State Trooper David Noonon, as transformers sparked — and even Noonon's post in Bremen was running on generator power because of failure concerns.

With howling winds and falling temperatures coupled with lake-effect snow, conditions were only expected to get worse — creating dangerous wind chills across Michiana.

Shortly before 2:30 a.m. EST, the National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for Illinois counties just west of Chicago. While the weather had not deteriorated quite that much here, and no serious crashes were reported, local authorities urged drivers to slow down on the Toll Road, where ISP officers began to see crosswinds and blowing snow.

And in St. Joseph, Mich., emergency dispatchers reported near whiteout conditions.

But the greatest danger may be the cold. Just before 7 a.m., the temperature was 2 degrees and the wind chill was minus 19 degrees at South Bend Regional Airport.

The NWS warns people not to venture out unprepared, because in addition to frostbite and treatable hypothermia, the cold can be deadly.

That may have been the case Saturday after authorities found a body in a South Bend alley, but exposure as an official cause of death has not yet been determined. However, the frigid weather is especially hard on the homeless, elderly, young children and those with existing medical problems.

NWS says researchers have found that 70 percent of the fatalities related to ice and snow occur in automobiles, and about 25 percent of all winter related fatalities are people that are just caught off guard, out in the storm.

For those facing this arctic blast without power and/or heat, it may be time to move to one of the shelters or warming centers set up in Plymouth and elsewhere. The Plymouth center is at 321 N. Center St. For more information, call the warming center at (574) 850-5590.

It's also a good idea to check on neighbors, especially older friends and family who can't weather the winter extremes as well.

And for those without a home, the Center for the Homeless in South Bend, Hope Ministries and other area shelters implement weather amnesty programs when the weather goes below freezing and people have nowhere else to turn.

"Our goal is to simply keep people alive and off the street," said Jacqueline Kronk, the center's director of development and public relations, earlier this month during a cold snap.

But this one promises to be truly frigid, something to remember where pets are concerned, too.

Other advice from Michigan authorities and this year's Winter Hazards Awareness guide includes:

At home:

— Have on hand the following items: canned food, can opener and bottled water, with at least three gallons per person; battery-powered flashlight and a NOAA or other battery-powered portable radio

— Blankets, heavy clothes, coat, gloves, hat and water-resistant boots for each resident

— Medicine, diapers and other items needed for babies, the elderly or disabled family members

— A safe alternative heating source, with attention to carbon monoxide and fire hazards

On the road or outdoors:

— Cold weather strains the heart, so older residents and those with heart conditions should be cautious. Even the healthy should avoid overexertion while shoveling, pushing cars or walking in deep snow.

— Keep clothes dry, and avoid sweating, as these accelerate heat loss

— Wear loose-fitting layers, a wool hat and mittens

— If stranded in your car, attach a cloth to the antenna to attract attention. Run the motor 10 minutes each hour with the window slightly cracked and above all, be sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked.

— Exercise limbs to keep warm until help arrives