DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - You might not see any fresh snow on the ground this week, but that doesn't mean temperatures aren't dangerous. 

The National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory, a renaming of what used to be called a Wind Chill Advisory. 

"Starting this winter, we made that name change," explained John Bumgardner, a Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lincoln. "It could have been a little misleading. We just wanted to be more transparent about the fact that you don't need winds to have extremely dangerous cold."

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Wind or no wind, the air is dangerously cold this week across many parts of the country. Bumgardner emphasized the importance of dressing warm and wearing layers. 

"People underestimate it. And those are often the cases where we have frostbite and hypothermia."

The cold air can impact your body's heat in a matter of minutes after being exposed.

"The cold is also harder on your heart," added Bumgardner. "There's a higher risk of heart attacks in the winter. Breathing in the cold air is is very dangerous, especially for people with lung issues."

It only takes thirty minutes of exposure to freezing temperatures before you risk hypothermia and frostbite. 

The National Weather Service advised those leaving the house to wear extra layers, and pack emergency kits in their cars. 

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