With harsh cold arriving, many are prepping in different ways.

Farmers take greater effort to keep their milk makers comfortable, according to Cara Stephenson at Moser Dairy in Chicora, her family's farm.

“It's a lot more work,” Stephenson said. “The days prior to the cold weather, (farmers) spend a lot of time preparing.”

Stephenson said only certain cows stay inside the barn during extreme cold conditions.

“Usually your milking cows do not go out. The ones that aren't milking, they do go out,” Stephenson said. “We make their beds and make sure they have clean, fresh beds. We like to give them a little extra they can snuggle down into.”

Stephenson said farmers make sure cows are clean, fed and given access to plenty of unfrozen water.

“You have to learn to improvise and do what needs done,” she said.

Stephenson said water is the main issue, but usually cows produce enough heat to keep it thawed. If not, there are devices and methods to keep the water liquified.

“A cow's natural body temperature is 101.5. They're obviously going to put off more heat, and if you have a closed-in area, it's going to stay a little warmer,” she said.

Stephenson said outdoor cows like steers and heifers tend to rely on instinct and a thickening of their fur to stay warm. She said she always has a smaller structure that they enter and exit at their leisure.

“If you see them now, they're real fluffy. They're actually prepared for this weather because they have that nice winter fur coat,” she said. “It's actually harder on the farmer than it is the cows. The cows do very well adjusting to different weather.”

While cows have their winter fur, humans need layers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends layering in a press release issued by Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday.

The center recommends at least three layers, starting with an inner one against your skin holding in body heat while not absorbing moisture. Materials made of wool, silk or polypropylene are ideal, but not cotton.

The middle layer is for insulation and retaining body heat. Wool, goose down and synthetic fleece work best.

Last is the outer layer or “hard shell” that protects from wind, rain and snow. Preferably it should be water and wind resistant.

Wolf said it's always important to take care of yourself and neighbors.

“As always, safety for Pennsylvanians and travelers to our state is my priority,” he said. “And dangerously cold weather means staying inside as much as possible, paying attention to weather forecasts, and checking on friends and neighbors, especially the elderly.”

Butler County, along with much of the Midwest and northeastern U.S., are going to see extreme conditions, according to Tom Green, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh.

Temperatures began dropping Monday and Green said lows should hit between minus 5 and minus 10 Wednesday night, which with the wind chills will feel like minus 25 to minus 30 degrees.

“Temperatures will start coming up a little bit Thursday night,” Green said. “We should be back above freezing on Saturday.”

Green said these temperatures are dangerous, “hypothermia can occur fairly quickly if you have bare skin exposed.”

Steve Bicehouse, director of the county's emergency services, said exposed skin is a problem.

“People should not be outside, unless they absolutely have to go outside,” Bicehouse said. “It's a matter of minutes when you start to get frostbite.”

Bicehouse said people need to be cautious while driving. Icy roads are always expected during freezing temperatures, and if there are any surprise snowfalls, crews must use alternatives to treat roads.

“Salt is not going to be effective at extremely cold temperatures,” he said.

People who have more personal emergencies can call emergency services.

“If they're having issues with heat or shelter, they could certainly contact us and we can provide some resources,” he said. “If someone's furnace breaks or they run out of oil, we direct people to PA-211. It's like 911, but you dial 211, on any phone.”

Bicehouse said 211 can help in many situations beyond staying warm over the next few days.

PA 211 Southwest is part of the national 211 Call Centers initiative that seeks to provide an easy-to-remember telephone number, chat, text, and a Web resource for finding health and human services — for everyday needs and in crisis situations.

Bicehouse said one of his biggest annoyances during such cold is people leaving their pets outside too long.

“Pets cannot be left outside in this weather. It would significantly impact them,” Bicehouse said. “We need to take care of them just as we do ourselves.”

Bicehouse said some residents will use space heaters for thawing pipes, but need to be careful when using anything with a heating element.

“Make sure you're using caution when using auxiliary heating devices,” he said.

While there will be some independent warming shelters, like one operated by Catholic Charities of Butler, open for extended hours, Bicehouse said the county will not open warming stations, unless a need arises.

“We get involved when it's widespread or in an emergency situation,” Bicehouse said.