Head-On Collision, Car Accidents Mar Salem Roadways

Police responded to seven different car accidents in less than three hours Monday one day before frigid temperatures were expected to create more hazardous road conditions. 

A series of accidents occurred between 5:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. Monday, including one head-on collision and a Lake Street accident with multiple injuries, according to Salem Deputy Police Chief Shawn Patten.

Meteorologists are expecting icy roadways and the potential for additional crashes in the area during Tuesday morning's commute thanks to a deep overnight freeze caused by a polar vortex.

A polar vortex is a large blast of freezing cold air sent down from the North Pole. Somewhat rare, these tend to happen only once a decade, sometimes once every couple decades or so.

This polar vortex is expected to be the worst we've seen in 20 years. Temperatures in the midwest are expected to drop, with wind chills of 50 degrees below zero. It won't be that bad in Salem. But temperatures dropped to around 13 degrees Monday night and are expected to stay below freezing for most of the week, according to the National Weather Service.

That means a sharp drop from the highs in the 40s Monday to the teens on Tuesday and Wednesday. Combined with Monday's rainy weather, it could make for some icy roads for Tuesday morning's commute.

Things will start to thaw by the end of the week.

Here are some tips, courtesy of the National Weather Service, to keep in mind during this Arctic cold.

1. Minimize outdoor activities, especially for the elderly and very young.

2. Dress in several layers of loose-fitting clothing rather than a single layer of heavy clothing.

3. Wear a hat, mittens and waterproof boots. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

4. When using heating sources such as fireplaces, wood stoves and space heaters, be sure to ventilate them correctly.

5. Test smoke alarms and keep carbon monoxide detectors handy.

6. Bring pets out of the cold. Don't assume they can handle the cold. If you are not warm, they are not either.