Bitter, dangerous cold on way

Published 2:04 pm Friday, January 3, 2014

The National Weather Service says Minnesota is in store for “a historic, dangerously cold air mass” this weekend.

It is expected to arrive Saturday night and last through Tuesday morning.

Freeborn County and most of the state, along with northeastern Iowa and almost all of Wisconsin will be a wind chill warning from 6 p.m. Saturday to noon Tuesday. Many places were in a wind chill advisory this morning, with wind chill values reaching 25 below.

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Wind chill values Sunday night and Monday morning could reach 35 and 60 below, according to the National Weather Service.

Some Minnesota schools have decided to dismiss classes for Monday. Any decision about Albert Lea Area Schools will be made either Sunday night or Monday morning, said Superintendent Mike Funk.

The blast of cold is expected to bring below-normal temperatures and high winds from central Montana to Houston. Some meteorologists predicted subzero wind chills, possibly as far south as Atlanta.

It is the second cold blast within a week. A cold air mass set records Thursday in Minnesota and the same system met with a nor’easter to deliver heavy snow to New England. Boston received nearly 2 feet of snow.

U.S. airlines canceled more than 2,300 flights Thursday because of the snowfall and low visibility. By this morning, about 1,600 flights were canceled nationwide, according to the aviation tracking website FlightAware.com.

Frostbite is a concern during wind chill warnings. The wind chill will be cold enough to cause frostbite in 15 minutes or less and could lead to hypothermia when not dressed warmly, the weather service warns.

About Tim Engstrom

Tim Engstrom is the editor of the Albert Lea Tribune. He resides in Albert Lea with his wife, two sons and dog.

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