Fargo, North Dakota – A prolonged blast of Arctic air is locking in dangerous conditions across the Northern Plains, with extreme cold continuing to threaten lives across eastern North Dakota and much of northern and western Minnesota through late Sunday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, an Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect until noon CST Sunday for a wide swath of the region, including the Red River Valley. Wind chills are expected to plunge as low as 45 below zero, creating conditions where frostbite can develop on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.
The warning stretches across major population centers including Fargo, Grand Forks, Devils Lake, Valley City, and Cavalier in North Dakota, along with Moorhead, Crookston, Thief River Falls, Roseau, and Baudette in Minnesota. Rural communities and open country areas face heightened risk due to longer exposure times and limited access to shelter. Travel may become hazardous if vehicles fail in the extreme cold, and local agencies are urging residents to avoid unnecessary trips.
Emergency managers recommend dressing in multiple layers, covering all exposed skin, and limiting time outdoors. Pets should be kept indoors, and livestock should have access to warm shelter, food, and unfrozen water. Residents are also encouraged to check on neighbors, especially the elderly and those with heating concerns.
The extreme cold is expected to ease gradually Sunday afternoon, but officials warn additional cold weather advisories could follow if Arctic air lingers into early next week.
