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Frigid weekend forecast: Cold weather advisories in place

Bitter cold wind chills from 25 to 45 below this weekend

Cold weather advisory Saturday and Sunday
Cold weather advisory Saturday and Sunday
National Weather Service

High pressure advancing into the region will allow bitter Arctic air to spill southward, bringing the coldest temperatures of the season. Dangerous wind chills between 25 and 45 below zero are expected.

Deep freeze ahead

After falling below zero around 8 p.m. Friday, temperatures will remain below zero through the entire weekend. For perspective, average mid-December temperatures are a high of 29 and a low of 16.

Hues of purple dominate Saturday’s temperature map, with highs in the single digits above zero across southern areas and single digits below zero to the north.

Highs for Saturday
Highs for Saturday
National Weather Service

These temperatures, combined with even light winds, will create dangerous wind chill values ranging from 25 to 45 below zero.

Wind chill forecast Saturday 6 a.m. to Sunday 6 p.m.
Wind chill forecast Saturday 6 a.m. to Sunday 6 p.m.
NOAA via Pivotal Weather

The entire state is under a Cold Weather Advisory for Saturday and Sunday due to dangerously cold wind chills.

Cold weather advisory Saturday and Sunday
Cold weather advisory Saturday and Sunday
National Weather Service

The northwestern corner of the state is under an extreme cold warning until noon Saturday, with forecast wind chill values as low as 45 below zero. At these levels, frostbite can develop on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

Extreme cold warning until noon Saturday
Extreme cold warning until noon Saturday
National Weather Service

High pressure will continue settling in Saturday night and Sunday, bringing another frigid night as temperatures and wind chills once again plunge well below zero.

Surface analysis for Sunday
Surface analysis for Sunday
NOAA via Weather Prediction Center

Light snow is possible early Saturday in southwestern Minnesota as a clipper system moves south. Accumulations are expected to be light, generally under an inch.

Forecast precipitation Saturday 7 a.m. to noon
Forecast precipitation Saturday 7 a.m. to noon
NOAA via Pivotal Weather

No major precipitation systems are expected until the middle of next week, when warmer temperatures in the 30s and 40s could bring a chance of a wintry mix and very blustery winds.