La Crosse, WI – The National Weather Service (NWS) in La Crosse has issued a Cold Weather Advisory for parts of southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin, warning of wind chills as low as 32 below zero from midnight Friday night through 10 a.m. Saturday.
The advisory covers Dodge, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona counties in Minnesota, along with Clark, Taylor, Buffalo, Trempealeau, and Jackson counties in Wisconsin — including communities such as Rochester, Winona, Medford, Black River Falls, and Arcadia.
According to the NWS, frostbite on exposed skin can occur in as little as 10 minutes, with hypothermia possible if precautions aren’t taken. The coldest temperatures are expected just before sunrise Saturday as Arctic air deepens across the Upper Mississippi Valley.
Officials urge residents to limit time outdoors, dress in layers covering all exposed skin, and check on neighbors, older adults, and pets. Travelers are advised to carry winter emergency kits and avoid overnight trips if possible.
Wind chills may slightly improve Saturday afternoon but are expected to remain well below zero through the weekend.
