First, the good news. There will be no earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or storms with names impacting Minnesota anytime soon. The bad news: the coldest air in 23 years is on the way. School-closing cold. Today's wind chill will get your attention (as cold as -35F at times) but the chill factor doesn't bottom out until Wednesday morning, when an air temperature of -28F couples with 15-20 mph winds to produce a wind chill as low as -50F in the metro; -60F for parts of greater Minnesota, well away from the (warmer) urban core of the Twin Cities. That would make this the coldest outbreak since February 2, 1996, when the mercury sank to -32F in the Twin Cities with a wind chill of -48F.
A few observations:
- This will be a 3-day cold wave. We come out of this Friday, and by Saturday temperatures may approach 40F above. This will not be an extended arctic outbreak.
- Extreme cold poses the greatest risk to the elderly and newborn infants. In addition to frostbite, hypothermia is a threat, a gradual drop in body temperature that can prove fatal if not caught in time. Check in on friends, family and neighbors to make sure their homes or apartments are staying warm enough.
- Bring your pets inside. Dogs, cats (and horses) feel the wind chill too. According to the ASPCA:
"Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect. Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. If left outdoors, pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured or killed. In addition, don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death..."
- The most dangerous conditions come Wednesday morning, when an air temperature of -28F (metro) combines with 20 mph winds to produce a wind chill as low as -50F. Under these conditions frostbite is possible within 2-5 minutes. Pain is the first sign that extremities may be vulnerable to frostbite.
If you tell yourself you're miserable, odds are you'll be miserable. If you try to remain upbeat and positive ("this is a weather adventure!") you may stand a better chance of getting through this polar experience without any lasting psychic baggage. Not to minimize the threat of frostbite and hypothermia, which will be very real - especially Wednesday, but after a few relatively tame winters we get our Cold Weather Mojo back. If anyone, anywhere, tells you a cold weather tale - odds are good you'll be able to top them.
Be careful out there - I would try to stay indoors tonight and most of Wednesday. Winds ease up on Thursday, and by Friday we'll be able to catch our breath.
This too shall pass!
- Paul Douglas
