A wind chill alert will be in effect from 9 pm on Saturday to 11 am on Sunday for all of central and southern Minnesota and midwest Wisconsin. Overnight temperatures are predicted to drop to minus 20 degrees, and chills can sometimes range from 25 to 40 degrees below zero.
The maximum temperature on Sunday is projected at minus 6 degrees, and the minimum can reach minus 25 degrees – both would be record cold temperatures. Chills can reach less than 50 on Sunday night
According to Yuhas, the chills of the cold wind present a high risk of freezing. This extreme cold can also cause pipes to freeze and burst, and car exhaust can freeze on roads, creating slippery conditions on roads and bridges.
Batteries for vehicles older than five are at risk of breaking above minus 15 degrees, and drivers are advised to keep at least half a tank of gas in their cars, Yuhas said.
The air will get gradually warmer from Monday, but the temperature should not be above zero until Tuesday. Some bursts are possible from the middle of the week.