Welcome to the Capital of Cold. This may not come as a shock, but the Twin Cities is coldest major metropolitan area (more than 1 million people) in the country. Looking at average winter temperatures, we are consistently colder than Milwaukee, Buffalo and Rochester, N.Y.
The Twin Cities has a lower average winter temperature than Anchorage, Alaska, tempered by relatively mild Pacific Ocean water nearby. Chicago is nippy but 8 to 10 degrees warmer than MSP on average — the result of residual warmth from Lake Michigan.
What may be the coldest air in seven years is imminent. Polar air will create dangerously cold conditions Thursday night and Friday, with metro air temperatures dipping to minus 20 and windchills at minus 30 to minus 40. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold warning. Friday brings increasingly rare subzero highs statewide.
There’s no evidence of bitter cold air stalling — “locked in” by a blocking pattern — and teens next week may feel reasonable.
We are a state of reluctant weather warriors. Dress smart and stay safe out there.
