Brainerd, MN – Northern Minnesota residents are bracing for dangerously cold temperatures as an Extreme Cold Watch has been issued from late Sunday night through Monday morning. Wind chills could plummet to 40 to 45 degrees below zero, posing severe frostbite risks within minutes.
According to the National Weather Service in Duluth, temperatures in Crow Wing, Aitkin, Cass, and Itasca counties are expected to fall between 20 and 25 degrees below zero, with wind chills reaching life-threatening lows. Tribal lands, including the Bois Forte Band’s Deer Creek area and the Mille Lacs Band’s East Lake and Big Sandy Lake areas, are also affected.
Residents are urged to limit outdoor exposure, dress in layers, and cover all exposed skin. Frostbite can occur in as little as 10 minutes in such extreme conditions, officials warn. Schools and businesses may face delays or closures as temperatures plunge.
The cold spell is expected to ease by late Monday morning, but residents should prepare now. For updates, visit weather.gov/duluth.
