The Twin Cities region is gripped by extreme cold, with frigid temperatures and brutal wind chills engaging residents and visitors alike in a proverbial cold embrace. According to National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts, Minneapolis is set to endure bitter temperatures, with a high of nearly 2 degrees today, and the wind chill values plummeting as low as minus 27 degrees. Tonight won't offer much relief, as starry skies will see low temperatures around negative 14 and wind chills as low as minus 29.
The NWS warns that today and tonight, dangerous wind chills could reach a low of 50 below zero. A "Hazardous Weather Outlook" alert for another round of wind chills is expected to hover between 35 to 45 degrees below zero Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. This extreme cold snap is projected to persist throughout the week, with some reprieve arriving by the weekend as daytime highs finally rise above freezing.
Weather advisories in effect include an Extreme Cold Warning until 10 AM CST this morning and a Cold Weather Advisory from 9 PM this evening to 9 AM CST Wednesday. "The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 45 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes," the National Weather Service cautioned.
The biting cold poses real threats. Residents are advised to dress in layers, including a hat, face mask, and gloves even if they must venture outside for the briefest of moments. Pet owners have been urged to keep their animals indoors as much as possible, and the community is encouraged to check on older relatives and neighbors to ensure they've ample protection against the plunging temperatures. Travelers should wear appropriate clothing and exercise heightened caution.
Moving toward the weekend, the forecast shows a gradual climb with Thursday and Friday nighttime lows hovering around minus 3 degrees. However, Saturday and Sunday promise more tolerable weather, with high temperatures reaching near 32 and 41 degrees, respectively, and a semblance of warmth returning to the area.
