Minus 40 Wind Chill? Here Comes the Weather Pain

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for Northfield and the Twin Cities area, warning that temperatures could reach dangerous levels from midnight Thursday through noon Friday.

The combination of wind and cold could result in wind chills of 35-40 below zero during the early morning hours Friday. At such temperatures, extreme caution is warranted to avoid frostbite and hypothermia.

That's cold enough to warrant special precautions; going outdoors for more than 30 minutes without gloves or a face mask could result in frostbite. Motorists are urged to pack along extra clothing and a blanket in case of problems. Pets can also suffer from the cold, even on short walks.

Temperatures should recover into the 20s by Saturday.

How to dress during severely cold weather:

• Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Trapped air between the layers will insulate you. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded.
• Wear a hat, because 40 percent of your body heat can be lost from your head.
• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
• Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.
• Try to stay dry and out of the wind.

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