As winter tightens its grip on the Twin Cities, residents are bracing for a deep freeze this weekend, with the National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen issuing a slew of advisories for central and southern Minnesota as well as parts of west central Wisconsin. According to a weather forecast posted early this morning, Minneapolis can expect mostly cloudy conditions, later giving way to sunshine—but with the piercing cold becoming a dominant theme, as high temperatures hover near the zero mark. The wind chill values are set to dip as low as -24.
Temperatures are slated to drop even further tonight, with the mercury plunging to approximately -14 degrees. The accompanying northwest winds of 5 to 10 mph will likely slash wind chill values down, making them feel like a bone-chilling -26 degrees. This brutal weather isn't expected to let up anytime soon; Sunday will see a slight upturn with a high near 8 degrees, but wind chill values will remain as unrelenting as those of today.
That's not the half of it; the Hazardous Weather Outlook heralds a continuation of treacherously frigid temps. "Very cold temperatures continue into Sunday morning with wind chill values of 25 to 35 degrees below zero expected," the Outlook warns. For those venturing outdoors, frostbite could become a concern, as exposed skin risks damage within minutes in such harsh conditions.
The NWS also maintains a Cold Weather Advisory through 10 AM CST Sunday, cautioning that "Very cold wind chills as low as 35 below expected" across large swathes of Minnesota and Wisconsin. While daytime wind chills may rise to the mere teens to 20s below zero on Saturday, such marginal improvements offer little respite from the potential for frostbite, which can still occur in as little as 20 minutes. Residents are advised to take necessary precautions: bundle up in layers, protect extremities, and limit exposure to the bitter cold.
For those without sufficient heating or shelter, help is available by calling 211 for assistance. The weather service also underscores the importance of ensuring pets are kept indoors as much as possible and checking on the well-being of older family and friends. With forecasts offering no reprieve, the coming days require a collective hunkering down, as Minneapolis braces against the chill.
