Parts of Minnesota see bitter cold Wednesday

Northern Minnesota is under a wind chill advisory until 11 a.m.

Much of northern Minnesota is seeing the coldest morning so far this winter, while other parts of the state, including the Twin Cities, could have our coldest day of January.

Wednesday’s forecast

Under the influence of high pressure, a colder pattern and clear skies overnight, much of northern Minnesota is starting Wednesday with the lowest temperatures we have seen all winter. 

weather graphic
6 a.m. Wednesday temperatures, winds and sky cover
National Weather Service

Because of this, the whole northern third of the state is also under a wind chill advisory until 11 a.m. for wind chills that could feel as cold as minus 35.  Fortunately, most places in northern Minnesota are seeing calm winds, reducing that wind chill risk. 

For the southern half of Minnesota, enough cloud cover lingered overnight to prevent temperatures from plunging as much, keeping most of those temperatures above zero. 

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The colder pattern means all of Minnesota will see below average highs Wednesday, and for many it could be the coldest “high” of the month.  For example, the lowest high temperature so far in January for the Twin Cities was 15 set last Friday, but Wednesday’s forecast is 14, which would put us just under that. 

weather graphic
Wednesday high temperatures
National Weather Service

Other highs across Minnesota will range from near 0 north, to low teens south, which is about 10 to 20 degrees below average.

No precipitation is expected. 

Temperatures finally turn milder again starting Thursday, and snow is likely over the weekend. That extended forecast will be updated around 9:30 a.m.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Monday through Friday morning.