A significant cold snap is set to sweep through the upper Midwest this weekend, with forecasts indicating that high temperatures may remain below 0°F on Saturday. Residents in southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa should brace for exceptionally low wind chills, which are expected to range from -15°F to -25°F on Saturday morning.
The National Weather Service has issued Cold Weather Advisories for counties situated along and north of Highway 14, urging residents to take precautions against the biting cold. As the day progresses, wind chills will persist at these frigid levels, with readings potentially dipping to around -25°F to -30°F by the evening hours.
Looking ahead to Sunday, the situation may worsen before it improves, with anticipated morning wind chills plunging to between -25°F and -40°F in some areas. By Sunday afternoon, however, conditions are expected to improve slightly, with wind chills moderating to around -10°F to -15°F.
In the long-term, the Climate Prediction Center forecasts a shift towards warmer temperatures across much of the country, giving the upper Midwest a 40-50% chance of experiencing above-average temperatures between December 19th and December 25th. This warming trend may start as early as next week, ranging from Tuesday through Thursday.
Despite the current cold conditions, the prospects of a white Christmas appear uncertain. Currently, the snow depth at Rochester International Airport stands at 7 inches, contributing to a 70% chance of retaining at least 1 inch of snow on the ground by Christmas. However, if the warming trend continues as predicted, these chances could diminish significantly.
Residents are encouraged to stay updated with local weather updates and exercise caution when venturing outside this weekend.
