Weather and Climate News

Why did Xcel ask its customers to keep things chilly in the deep freeze?
Why did Xcel need to ask its customers across the state to lower their thermostats at a time when air temperatures across the state dropped into the minus 20s and wind chills were significantly lower? It comes down to distribution -- and pressure.
Goodbye vortex, hello mild weekend; wintry mix Sunday night into Monday
Friday highs will be in the teens in about the northeastern half of Minnesota, with lots of 20s elsewhere. The far southwest will see some 30s. Saturday highs will be in the 30s in the southern half of Minnesota, with mostly 20s in the north.
Are school districts going 'soft'? Cold spell stirs debate
Some parents said schools should be closed entirely due to temperatures near or below zero degrees. With little snow on the ground, others questioned why schools should be affected at all.
Natural gas prices slump despite US winter weather blast
The massive weather system is blanketing much of the Midwest and Northeast in a deep freeze, and demand for natural gas is spiking as homeowners crank up the heat to stay warm. Yet natural gas prices have fallen this week and are in the throes of a two-month skid.
Polar vortex recap; a timely warming trend!
The coldest air is moving away, and temperatures will rebound dramatically over the next few days. This is good timing, with the weekend just ahead!
Why is it so *&%# cold? Come warm up in the answer vortex
The polar vortex has brought air so incredibly cold it may set low-temperature records. Will it ever be warm again?
Medical effects of extreme cold: Why it hurts and how to stay safe
Frostbite can nip ears in just a few minutes in the sort of temperatures many Americans are facing this week. Pull that hat down and curb the drinking; alcohol can impair your judgment of temperature.
How cold is it? It's so cold even Minnesotans don't like it
Cold weather is nothing new for people in this part of the county, but the extreme cold this week is getting old and causing problems from severe frostbite to loss of natural gas service.