An arctic blast that roared into the state overnight Tuesday will keep temperatures below zero over a wide portion of Minnesota into Thursday, and dangerously low windchills will make it feel even colder. Things won't begin moderating until early next week, the National Weather Service said.

Wednesday most of the state woke to subzero temperatures with windchills that conspired to make it feel much colder.

Windchills of 20 to 40 below prompted the Weather Service to issue an advisory for the western and northern portions of the state until noon Wednesday. Another advisory is expected again Wednesday night into Thursday.

Early Wednesday, the lowest windchill was in Warroad in far northern Minnesota at 41 below, with 40 below reported at nearby Roseau. Windchills of 30 below or colder were reported in Bemidji, Thief River Falls, Detroit Lakes, International Falls, Grand Rapids and Duluth.

"Frostbite and hypothermia can occur if precautions are not taken," the Weather Service said, adding that can happen in 30 minutes or less. "Make sure you wear a hat and gloves."

The cold snap, not uncommon for January, will continue through Sunday. In the metro, even with ample sunshine, the high on Thursday is predicted to be 0 degrees. The low? Around 8 below with windchills in the 20 to 25 below zero range.

Star Tribune, Star Tribune
Carla Bates, who has made the 2.5-mile walk to work for more than 20 years, braved the frigid temps along the river near the University on Wednesday in Minneapolis.

A slight thaw will begin Sunday when high temperatures in the metro will rise to 11 above zero and near 24 by Monday. With the warmup comes a chance for snow on Monday and Tuesday, possibly with significant accumulation.

Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768