The frigid temperatures arriving this weekend are sure to have an impact on the homeless.
Unfortunately, with specialized shelter's such as Haven Housing, which caters to women-based families and only provides 16 total rooms, they're booked up.
"What we focus on when it gets so extremely cold is making sure that families have the cold weather gear, proper coats, boots, hats, mittens, making sure we can assist them with transportation," says Assistant Director Emily Seddon.
She says it becomes disheartening when they're unable to accommodate those in need. But there is a silver lining.
"What keeps us going as a staff here at Haven Housing is knowing that for the families we do serve, we're setting them up for long term success and hoping that they will never experience homelessness again," explained Seddon.
Other shelters, however, are a little more accessible.
"All of our seven metro service centers will be open, regular business hours on weekdays," Salvation Army's Daniel Furry said. "Come on in, stay as long as you like. They're always welcome there."
In the face of extreme weather, the need for warm clothing, shelter, and hot food becomes even more urgent and another place the homeless can seek help is at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities.
"We are gearing up to address this imminent need, making sure that no one is left out in the cold," says Abigail Holtz, Media and Events Specialist at UGM. "As the temperature drops, our resolve only strengthens to provide comfort and support to those most vulnerable."
Snow is on the way for the Twin Cities but it's the cold that is the major concern. Temperatures and especially wind chills are going to bottom out this weekend says WCCO's Chief Meteorologist Paul Douglas.
"The leading edge of Arctic air next week, three, four days in single digits, three, four nights below zero, not record-setting but I think next week will be one of the two or three coldest weeks of the winter," Douglas says.
The National Weather Service says there is high confidence in wind chills reaching 20 to 30 degrees below zero by Saturday morning, and 30 to 40 degrees below zero by Sunday morning.