Residents of Minneapolis and surrounding areas in Minnesota, as well as parts of west central Wisconsin, brace yourselves for frigid temperatures and frosty forecasts, with possible snow flurries making an appearance. According to the National Weather Service, the Twin Cities could see a chance of flurries today between 4 pm and 5 pm, followed by a slight chance of snow after 5 pm. With the cloud cover increasing, the high is expected to hover near 15 degrees, but don't let that fool you – wind chill values could dip as low as -26, with a south southwest wind reaching speeds of up to 15 mph and gusts possibly hitting the 25 mph mark. The chance of precipitation stands at a modest 20%.
When the sun sets, the temperatures drop further. A slight chance of snow subsides by 9 pm, followed by potential flurries until 10 pm. The mostly cloudy night sky will see lows around 2 degrees, and if the wind chill hasn't already nipped at your nose, it's preparing to dip down to -14. The southwest wind, transitioning to northwest post-midnight, maintains its brisk pace with similar gusts up to 25 mph. The prospect of precipitation, however, remains consistent at 20%. Through the subsequent days, sunshine dominates the forecast but brings little reprieve from the chill, with highs barely reaching double digits and nightly lows plunging below zero.
The Hazardous Weather Outlook issued by the National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen, MN emphasizes the severity of the cold, stating that "wind chills of 30 to 40 below zero expected early." A Cold Weather Advisory remains stubbornly in effect through this morning, keeping residents on alert. The frigid feel will linger, but no additional hazardous weather is forecasted for the days ahead.
Authorities are not taking the bone-chilling weather lightly. A Cold Weather Advisory maintained by the National Weather Service details the potential dangers: "Very cold wind chills as low as 35 below expected." Spanning across various counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin, the advisory underscores the risks of frostbite and hypothermia if proper precautions, such as covering exposed skin, are not heeded. The advisory remains in effect until 11 AM CST today, with health impacts like frostbite potentially occurring within 10 minutes of exposure.
Amidst the cold snap, the advice for locals is clear: bundle up and stay warm. The National Weather Service cautions individuals to "Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves." This level of cold is unforgiving, but with the right preparations, Minnesotans are sure to weather the frosty conditions that have descended upon their corner of the heartland.
