Minneapolis, MN – Dangerous Arctic cold continues to grip Minnesota and western Wisconsin, with the National Weather Service warning residents that life-threatening wind chills will persist through midday Monday.
According to the National Weather Service in the Twin Cities/Chanhassen, a Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect until noon CST today for much of central, southern, eastern, and western Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metro area. Wind chills are expected to plunge as low as 35 degrees below zero, creating conditions where frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.
The advisory impacts a wide swath of Minnesota, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Cloud, Mankato, Rochester, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Shakopee, Stillwater, Red Wing, Willmar, Alexandria, and Albert Lea. Counties across the Twin Cities metro, south-central Minnesota, and west-central regions are included.
In western Wisconsin, cold weather advisories are also in effect through noon for Polk, Barron, Rusk, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix counties. Cities such as Eau Claire, Hudson, River Falls, Menomonie, and Rice Lake are experiencing similar dangerously low wind chills.
Meteorologists say the extreme cold is the result of a deep Arctic air mass settling over the Upper Midwest. While air temperatures may rise slightly later today, officials stress that wind chills will remain hazardous until at least midday.
Residents are urged to limit time outdoors, wear multiple layers, cover exposed skin, and keep pets indoors. Drivers are also advised to keep emergency supplies in vehicles and check on elderly neighbors and anyone without reliable heat.
Conditions are expected to slowly improve later Monday afternoon, but officials emphasize that this morning poses the greatest danger.
