Weather

It's going to get much colder. Here are safety tips to stay warm in subzero temps

MPR News Staff
A man wearing a black balaclava and heavy coat.
Gary Alfred's breath turns into steam in the frigid temperatures as he plays in the BEAR-ly Open ice golf event Feb. 6, 2021, on White Bear Lake.
Christine T. Nguyen | MPR News 2021

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Updated 11:14 a.m.

While regions around Minnesota are facing another wave of snow with the latest storm system moving across the state, this weather could offer the first heavy snow fall for the Twin Cities this winter season.

And with temperatures expected to drop below freezing across the state this weekend, here are a few things you should know to keep warm and safe.

Wear layers and remember the jacket, gloves and hat

If you’re headed outdoors, be sure to bundle up. If you don’t, you risk hypothermia or frostbite.

That means grabbing a hat, mittens or gloves, a coat, boots and several layers. Layers of clothing help to regulate your body temperature, insulate your heat and keep moisture from seeping in and making you colder.

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Even if you’re leaving your house for just a quick trip or putting the garbage out to the curb, don’t take a short stint out into the cold for granted. If you accidently lock yourself out grabbing the mail, or your car breaks down, you’ll be happy you have your coat with you.

Stock up on things you might need if you’re stranded in the car

The Minnesota Department of Safety has a “winter survival in your car” list that includes the recommendation to make your own winter driving survival kit. They suggest using an empty three-pound coffee can to store the following items: 

  • Small candles and matches

  • Small, sharp knife and plastic spoons

  • Red bandanna or cloth — If you stall or get stuck, tie it to your antenna or hang it out a window.

  • Pencil and paper

  • Large plastic garbage bag

  • Safety pins

  • Whistle

  • Snacks

  • Cell phone charger

  • Plastic flashlight and spare batteries — Reverse batteries in the flashlight to avoid accidental switching and burnout.

If you have extra space for some bulky items, these are the best options: 

  • Jumper cables

  • Basic tools

  • Sand or cat litter

  • Shovel

  • Tow cables

  • Sleeping bag

  • Road flares 

  • Snowmobile suit and heavy boots

If you are stranded in a vehicle, pull far off the road to minimize being hit by passing vehicles, and then call 911. Give as much information on your location and the condition of all people in the vehicle. Follow instructions and do not hang up until you know who you have spoken with and what will happen next.

In a snowstorm it is recommended to stay inside your vehicle, but If you must leave your vehicle, write down your contact information and leave it in the front windshield. 

Locate a warming center

Not everyone has access to housing, and furnaces seem to bust at just the wrong moment. Here’s are some available resources.

MPR News is checking the status of these warming centers and will update this list. If you know of more warming centers, let us know at tell@mpr.org.

Hennepin County

Call Hennepin Shelter Hotline at 612-204-8200 with questions about these warming options.

Find more details at the Hennepin County website.

Ramsey County

Through the end of March, the following Ramsey County and St. Paul locations will be open every night from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. as warming centers.

If you are in need of or would like to refer someone to a place to warm-up overnight, call 651-266-1050 or email ColdWeatherReferrals@ramseycounty.us.

Rochester

Winona

  • The Winona Community Warming Center provides emergency shelter for Winona area adults, 18 and older, experiencing homelessness. Guest check-in is between 9-10 p.m. each evening. Admittance after check-in can be facilitated through local law enforcement. 507-454-2270.

Duluth

  • CHUM Warming Center, 214 W. Third St., Duluth, 218-720-6521. Will remain open every night through the middle of April from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Brainerd

  • The overnight shelter at Bridges of Hope is open from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. each day. Walk in intakes stop at 11 p.m., and while people are allowed to leave at any time, they will not be allowed to re-enter after 11 p.m. 218-825-7682.

St. Cloud

  • The Lincoln Warming Center, the facility functions as a 24/7 warming center to serve individuals currently experiencing homelessness along with other individuals in immediate need. 320-342-2232.

If you need help but are unsure where to go, call 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211, or check out the 211 United Way website here.

Find information for travel

Here’s how to keep tabs on forecasts, travel conditions and flight updates.

Forecast updates

  • MPR News: Detailed updates from MPR News meteorologists

  • MPR News: Live weather blog and real-time radar

  • National Weather Service: Snowfall reports

Travel conditions

These state transportation departments offer live updates on road conditions and crashes:

For bus and light rail riders in the Twin Cities, Metro Transit offers weather-related updates on its Metro Transit and Metro Transit Alerts Twitter pages, as well as on its website.

Flight updates

If you’re planning to fly from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport or another airport around the region — or if you are expecting visitors to arrive by plane — airports offer flight status updates online:

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