Stay Indoors: Minnesota to See Coldest Air since January

Minnesota will experience its coldest air since January this week. Wind chills of 20 to 30 degrees below zero are expected in the Twin Cities Minnesota Thursday morning.

Wind chills across the state at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday were already well below zero, reaching 31 below in Fergus Falls.

Confidence is increasing in another winter storm for Friday into Saturday, but snowfall amounts are still uncertain.

Remember that exposure to cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia and become life-threatening. Infants and elderly people are most susceptible.

Wind Chill is the term used to describe the rate of heat loss on the human body resulting from the combined effect of low temperature and wind. As winds increase, heat is carried away from the body at a faster rate, driving down both the skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature, according to the National Weather Service.

Use the wind chill chart below to check wind chill based on the wind and temperature. The shaded areas show how long it will take for exposed skin become frostbitten.

Dress for the cold

Wear layers of loose-fitting and lightweight clothing. Trapped air between the layers will insulate you.

• If doing strenuous outdoor activities, avoid wearing cotton. Once wet, cotton takes a long time to dry and will sap your heat. Use synthetic fabrics that wick moisture from your skin and dry quickly.
• 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.

Image via National Weather Service