Bundle Up: Arctic Blast Prompts Wind Chill Warning
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A wind chill warning is in effect for most of Minnesota as an arctic cold front descended on the state this weekend, dropping air temperatures to 20 below and colder.
The National Weather Service says the wind chill warning is in effect for southern, central and northwestern Minnesota until noon, with the possibility of 40 below readings in communities across the state.
Extremely cold wind chills this morning. Bundle up if you're headed out! #mnwx #wiwx pic.twitter.com/3nXGDZpE3K
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) December 18, 2016
When wind chills are that cold, frontbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. So, if you're venturing outside, be sure to bundle up. Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says frostbite can be easily avoided by dressing appropriately for the weather.
WCCO's Weather Watchers kept a close eye on their thermometers Sunday morning. The coldest air temperature readings came from Nimrod (-36) and Pine River (-32) in northern Minnesota. Meanwhile, near the Twin Cities metro, there were readings of 25 below in Chaska.
Twitter user Julie Wearn captured images of a smoky Mississippi River in St. Paul, where the temperature was nearly 20 below after sunrise.
-19 below on the Mississippi River @WCCO @weatherchannel @TheWeatherNetUK pic.twitter.com/StSOnnfit8
— Julie Wearn (@JulieWearn) December 18, 2016
The arctic cold, however, won't stick around long. Milder air will move into the state on Monday, giving air temperatures a 30 kick into the low 20s. By Tuesday, the highs will be in the 30s, and possible above freezing.
Wednesday looks to bring another chance at significant snowfall, and the Christmas holiday weekend is expected to hold average December temperatures.
