Frank Rondel
Some Minnesota school districts transitioned to online learning on Thursday as a severe cold front, expected to bring the coldest temperatures in at least five years, swept across the state, reports customreceipt.com via National Weather Service. Other districts opted to dismiss students early on Thursday to ensure safety as temperatures plunged. Widespread school closures and e-learning days are anticipated on Friday, with wind chills forecast between 35 and 55 degrees below zero across much of Minnesota.
Extreme cold warnings have been issued for nearly the entire state from Thursday into Friday, and forecasters indicate these alerts could be extended as the arctic blast persists into the weekend. The Duluth office of the National Weather Service reported that many areas could experience “the coldest temperatures in at least five years, and potentially the coldest in a decade” in some locations. Air temperatures in parts of northern Minnesota may approach 30 degrees below zero on Friday morning, accompanied by wind chills reaching the 50s below zero. In the Twin Cities, forecasts predict a morning air temperature near 20 degrees below zero with wind chills approaching 40 below.
The extreme weather has prompted event organizers to modify plans. The U.S. Pond Hockey Championships, scheduled at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis, announced the cancellation of all Friday games, stating, “This is not a decision made lightly — our priority is keeping players and staff safe.” Play is expected to resume on Saturday and Sunday.
Transportation projects have also been impacted. The Minnesota Department of Transportation confirmed that the weekend installation of beams for the new Kellogg Boulevard/Third Street bridge over Interstate 94, east of downtown St. Paul, has been postponed to February 6–8 due to the frigid conditions. The bridge work will necessitate a weekend freeway closure once rescheduled.
Authorities continue to advise residents to limit outdoor exposure, take precautions against frostbite and hypothermia, and stay updated on rapidly changing forecasts as the arctic blast moves through the region.
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