Experts Advise Avoiding Travel in Brutal Cold

Hennepin County Meterologist Emily Harrington says people should have blankets, pillows, winter wear as well as food and water in their car in case of an emergency. Harrington says with these cold temperatures, you could get frostbite in five minutes of exposure.

This week’s Arctic blast will include record-low wind chills in the minus 50 range.

“The last time we saw temperatures and wind chills this cold was I think in 2014,” said Hennepin County weather forecaster Emily Harrington. “It hasn’t happened in a while and the more dangerous part about this is that it’s extended over a long period of time. It’s not just a single-day event.”

Snow Totals

Three to five inches of snow fell overnight in the northwest suburbs, creating a wintry scene. But playing in that snow won’t be much fun when the polar air settles over Minnesota.

The snow storm and extreme cold caused multiple school cancellations.

A polar vortex from the North Pole is causing the frigid weather in Minnesota.

Icy Lows

Harrington says the actual air temp on Tuesday night will be close to minus 26 degrees and 29 below on Wednesday. Experts are telling people to avoid traveling if you can. If you do need to be on the road, bring a travel kit.

“Make sure that you have blankets, pillows, gloves, mittens hats, scarves, food and water with you in your car,” Harrington said. “As well as any other emergency type tools that you would have in your car. If you get stranded out there right now you’re going to be exposed to the elements for a little bit. You could get frostbite within five minutes of being outside. It’s very dangerous.”

As cold as this stretch is going to be, temps will rebound in a big-time way. On Saturday, temperatures could reach 40 degrees.

That means the temperature swing from Thursday to Saturday will be approximately 70 degrees.

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