Minnesotans should bundle up and prepare for blasts of high winds that are expected to bring subzero temperatures across the state this weekend.
Forecasts from the National Weather Service office in Minnesota predict that wind chill temperatures will fall as low as 35 degrees below zero in cities including St. Paul, Minneapolis, Stillwater and Albert Lea.
The band of bitter cold is expected to begin Friday night and end Sunday morning.
“The worst of the cold peaks during Saturday night into Sunday morning, with high confidence for the entirety of the region to have windchill temperatures 25 to 35 degrees below zero,” NWS forecasters said Friday. “A Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect to highlight our coldest stretch of weather of the winter so far.”
To avoid frostbite, which can happen within 10 minutes in these conditions, NWS forecasters say residents should:
- Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat and gloves.
- Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
- Frequently check on older family, friends and neighbors.
- Ensure portable heaters are used correctly and do not use generators or grills inside.
And to keep your home warm, Minneapolis officials advised people to be extra cautious:
- Keep anything that can catch fire at least 3 feet away from portable heaters, fireplaces and furnaces.
- Do not use space heaters to dry wet items, such as gloves or towels.
- Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to sleep.
- Always plug space heaters directly into an outlet, not an extension cord or outlet strip.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Make sure your home has working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Clean and inspect your heating system and chimney annually. More than half of heating-related structure fires are caused by fireplaces and chimneys.
Winds are expected to shift Sunday afternoon and raise temperatures above freezing by early next week.
Cancellations
In the northwest metro, Three Rivers Park District has canceled part of its Minnesota Nordic Ski Opener on Saturday at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove. Three races in an event called Skadi’s Chase are off, but other related activities will continue. There are free rentals and lessons and also a vendor market. All the action is outdoors. The park district stressed to dress for the cold.
