Wind chills could reach 30 below

Albert Lea and much of the surrounding area are under a wind chill advisory through noon on Tuesday as a combination of below zero temperatures and winds of up to 20 mph are expected to generate wind chills of 25 to 30 below zero.

According to the National Weather Service, the wind chill advisory is in effect for all of central and southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

People can expect wind chills to range from 20 to 30 below zero between 3 and 11 a.m. Tuesday, with the coldest wind chills occurring around 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The cold wind chills will cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes to exposed skin, the Weather Service stated.

Temperatures today and Tuesday are expected to be in the single digits for the high, with the high on Tuesday expected to be only 2 degrees.

Police have advised making no unnecessary travel.

They advised making sure vehicles are up-to-date on maintenance and to always bring along a winter survival kit, including a thermal blanket and high-energy foods.

According to the United States Department of Labor, an emergency kit should include a cellphone or two-way radio, a windshield ice scraper, snow brush, flashlight with extra batteries, shovel, tow chain, traction aids, emergency flares, jumper cables, snacks, water, road maps, a blanket and a change of clothes.

Temperatures are expected to reach the 20s and 30s later in the week.