Dangerous Wind Chill Forecast for Minneapolis: Will School Be Canceled?

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for the Twin Cities area, warning that temperatures could reach dangerous levels from Wednesday night through Friday morning.

Make your own "snow" with boiling water and frigid air.

The combination of wind and cold could result in wind chills of more than 25 below zero, and as much as 40 below zero in isolated areas, during the early morning hours Friday. At such temperatures, extreme caution is warranted to avoid frostbite and hypothermia.

At 40 below zero, going outdoors for more than 30 minutes without gloves or a face mask could result in frostbite. Motorists are urged to pack along extra clothing and a blanket in case of problems. Pets can also suffer from the cold, even on short walks.

Temperatures should recover into the 20s by Saturday.

Consumer Reports recommends drivers compile a winter road emergency kit and keep it in their cars. Recommended items include everything from spare fuses and road flares to a bag of cat litter.

In an email to Patch, the Minneapolis Public Schools said the Superintendant and top managers would be watching the cold weather closely when deciding whether or not to cancel school. Their decision would be made, a spokesperson wrote, based on:

• Safety and well-being of students and staff
• Severity of the weather (extreme cold, flooding, etc.)
• Timing of weather (overnight, weekend, etc.)
• Ability for buses and cars to traverse the roads

Recess at some or all schools could be held inside, she wrote, based on the principal's judgement.

For those new arrivals, here are some tips on dressing properly for severely cold weather:

• Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Trapped air between the layers will insulate you. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded.
• Wear a hat, because 40 percent of your body heat can be lost from your head.
• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
• Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.
• Try to stay dry and out of the wind.