“Extreme Cold Warnings” and “Extreme Cold Watches” are in place for two states from late Wednesday through Thursday, and into Saturday, with wind chills expected to fall as low as -55°F, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Areas Affected By ‘Extreme Cold’
The NWS has warned that “dangerously cold winds” are likely to affect parts of Minnesota and North Dakota, which could “cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes” from Wednesday into Saturday.
Minnesota
Koochiching, north St. Louis, and northern Cook and Lake Counties—including the Tribal Lands of the Bois Forte Band and Nett Lake area and Voyageurs National Park—could see wind chills bringing temperatures down to -42 F from Wednesday night, through Thursday, into the evening. Then, the NWS expects that temperatures could fall even further to -50°F from Thursday evening through Friday, until Saturday morning.
Parts of north central and northwest Minnesota are also likely to be impacted, with wind chills as low as -44 F expected until noon on Thursday, and as low as -55 F from Thursday afternoon into Sunday morning.
North Dakota
Parts of northeast North Dakota are also likely to see temperatures falling to -44 F from Wednesday night into Thursday, and -55 F from Thursday afternoon into Sunday, due to bitterly cold wind chills.
NWS Advice for Extreme Cold
According to the NWS, when an “Extreme Cold Warning” is issued, it means people in affected areas should “take action” because “extremely dangerous cold conditions or wind chill values are expected or occurring.”
An “Extreme Cold Watch” means impacted communities should be prepared for dangerously cold weather, although the occurrence, location, and/or timing hasn’t been confirmed”
In either case, the NWS has issued the following advice for those likely to be affected by the extreme cold this week and into the weekend:
- Avoid going outside, especially during the coldest part of the day, which is usually early morning.
- If you must go outside, dress in layers, including a hat, face mask, gloves, and waterproof boots.
- Keep pets and farm animals indoors as much as possible, and make sure they have access to food and water that isn’t frozen.
- Regularly check in on older family, friends, and neighbors.
Extreme Cold Weather Outlook
Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed, the NWS has warned that more cold weather could blast the two states on Sunday and into Monday.
FOX6 also reports that subzero wind chills are likely to persist and cautions that “Another Arctic blast is expected to impact the Upper Midwest by the end of the week. This second round will be even colder and potentially more dangerous.”
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