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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists have issued extreme cold warnings in North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin, with temperatures plummeting to single-digit and subzero levels this weekend. Even more states have other cold weather-related alerts in place.
Why It Matters
Millions of people are bracing for frigid temperatures through next week. Subzero wind chills will hit the Northern U.S. as soon as Saturday, prompting the extreme cold warnings.
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The Arctic blast will then descend farther into the U.S., affecting most states by early next week.
What To Know
Other states are bound to issue extreme cold warnings as the Arctic blast continues, considering several states already have an extreme cold watch in effect.
In addition to the extreme cold warnings, a cold weather advisory is in place for Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan.
An extreme cold watch is in place for Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
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What Does an Extreme Cold Warning Mean?
An extreme cold warning is issued when temperatures reach a level that is considered life-threatening for that forecast region. This level varies by state.
Which Areas Received an Extreme Cold Warning?
As of Friday at 4 p.m. Eastern time, the following NWS offices had issued an extreme cold warning: Bismarck, North Dakota; Twin Cities, Minnesota; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Missoula, Montana; and Duluth, Minnesota.
How Do an Extreme Cold Warning and a Cold Weather Advisory Differ?
There are numerous advisories, warnings and watches that NWS offices issue for cold weather.
Extreme Cold Warning
An extreme cold warning is issued when there is "life-threatening cold," NWS lead meteorologist Jason Anglin told Newsweek. This cold could be caused by the real temperatures or the wind chill. The temperatures needed to issue this warning depend on the region. In the Northern Plains, extreme cold warnings are issued when temperatures or wind chill levels hit 40 degrees below zero or colder.
Cold Weather Advisory
Anglin said a cold weather advisory is issued, for example, around the minus 30 degrees mark for the Northern Plains.
"A cold weather advisory is still cold, still dangerous, and it could still be life-threatening," he said.
An extreme cold warning can be preceded by a cold weather advisory or an extreme cold watch, which is issued around one to three days before the event.
Duluth Weather Forecast: What We Know
One of the areas expecting to get hit hardest by extreme cold is Duluth, Minnesota. The extreme cold warning will be in effect from 6 p.m. local time Saturday until noon on Tuesday.
As of Friday, temperatures were 31 degrees in Duluth. By Saturday night, the low temperature will plummet to minus 7 degrees, not including wind chill. Temperatures will steadily become colder, with the highs not making it out of subzero territory on Sunday and Monday.
Low temperatures will peak on Tuesday at minus 17 degrees, not including wind chill. A warming trend will begin on Wednesday.
What People Are Saying
The NWS extreme cold warning for Duluth said: "The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 40 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of freezing temperatures could cause ruptured water pipes."
NWS Denver said in a cold weather advisory: "Unsheltered people will have a high risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside. If you must go outside, dress in several layers of warm clothing, including a hat, face mask, and gloves. Avoid prolonged outdoor exposure. Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Make sure outdoor animals have a warm and dry shelter, food, and unfrozen water."
What Happens Next
Below-average temperatures are likely to persist across much of the U.S. over the next two weeks. The NWS Climate Prediction Center's eight- to 14-day temperature outlooks show temperatures trending below normal.
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