Photos: Big winter storm system hits Madison

An arctic blast spread painful cold across Wisconsin and the rest of the Midwest Friday, closing schools, opening warming centers and even intimidating ice fishermen in a taste of even more dangerous weather expected next week.

The bad news is we could get up to 10 inches of snow to start the work week, followed by mind-numbing cold, possibly down to the 60 below zero level with the wind thrown in. The good news? Spring is only eight weeks away. 

The area should see several more inches of snow before the storm exits around mid-day, with the coldest air of the season to move in by late this week, according to forecasters.

If you don't have to go anywhere in south-central Wisconsin on Wednesday, just stay put. If you do have to drive, slow down and stay on the road.