Bitter cold still gripping state; warmup on the way

Bundle up if you are heading outside this morning. Temperatures are well below zero across the state and windchill values are running at anywhere from minus 20 to minus 48 degrees.

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: February 20, 2008 - 7:45 AM

Bundle up if you are heading outside this morning. Temperatures are well below zero across the state and windchill values are running at anywhere from minus 20 to minus 48 degrees.

A windchill advisory is in effect until noon today for the Twin Cities and most of central Minnesota, while a windchill warning has been posted until noon today for southwestern and northeastern Minnesota, the National Weather Service said.

Morris reported a windchill reading of minus 48 at 7 a.m. today, while many towns in southern and southwestern Minnesota checked in with windchill values of near minus 40 degrees, the Weather Service said.

Scores of schools across the state are starting late today because of the dangerously cold windchills and below zero air temperatures. At 7 a.m., the warm spot was minus 4 at Winona and the cold spot was Thief River Falls at minus 33 degrees.

The extreme cold that has gripped the state for most of past month may ease up a bit this weekend. After highs today that will approach 0 in the southern part of the state and remain below zero in the north, a hint of a thaw will arrive Thursday, the Weather Service said.

For the Twin Cities, today's high will be minus 1. On Thursday the mercury will rise to 18 degrees and by Saturday the temperature could hit 32 degrees, the Weather Service said.