Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights and the rest of the Twin Cities Metro area are in for another round of wicked cold Tuesday morning.
Today's relatively mild winter temperatures will plunge overnight; by 8 a.m., it should be 5 below zero, accompanied by winds of more than 20 mph. That adds up to a dangerous wind chill of 28 below zero.
Temperatures should recover into their 20s again later in the week, but more snow is expected to fall Thursday and Friday. The cities could also see snow showers next Tuesday and Wednesday.
As always, it's important to be safe during such extreme temperatures, which can freeze exposed skin in less than half an hour. Here are a few reminders from the Federal Emergency Management Agency about dealing with severe cold:
- Avoid travel if possible.
- If travel is necessary, keep a kit of disaster supplies kit in your vehicle. Those supplies should include:
- a shovel
- windshield scraper and small broom
- flashlight
- battery powered radio
- extra batteries
- water
- snack food
- matches
- extra hats, socks and mittens
- first aid kit with pocket knife
- necessary medications
- blanket(s)
- tow chain or rope
- road salt and sand
- booster cables
- emergency flares
- fluorescent distress flag
- Bring pets/companion animals inside. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.
- Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or other local news channels for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS). Be alert to changing weather conditions.
