Minneapolis, MN – The National Weather Service (NWS) in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued a Cold Weather Advisory covering most of Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin, warning of wind chills as low as 36 below zero from Friday night through Sunday morning.
The advisory includes the Twin Cities metro, as well as communities such as St. Cloud, Willmar, Mankato, Rochester, Eau Claire, and Red Wing. The bitter cold will stretch from central Minnesota through the Mississippi Valley, impacting both rural and urban areas.
According to the NWS, frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes, and hypothermia is possible with prolonged exposure. Residents are urged to limit time outdoors, bundle up in layers, and make sure pets and livestock are protected from the extreme cold.
Officials also recommend checking on older family members, friends, and neighbors, and using space heaters safely. Those without heat or adequate shelter can call 2-1-1 for emergency warming center locations and assistance.
Daytime wind chills Saturday may briefly rise into the -20s, but overnight lows will again plunge into the mid-30s below zero by early Sunday.
