National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

Although the first two weeks of January 2012 brought several record setting warm days, a cold snap with temperatures more seasonal for mid-January will be found through this week. 

Another chilly night will be found across the region with overnight temperatures falling into the teens below to middle 20s below zero. A few locations in the Minnesota Iron range and inland areas of the Arrowhead may dip as low as negative 30 F around day break Friday morning. 

Although there will be little or no wind to produce wind chill values, these temperatures are dangerous to those outdoors for a prolonged period of time. Under these conditions, frostbite can occur in 30 min or less. Frostbite may lead to hypothermia if not treated.

During the winter of 2011-2012, several National Weather Service Offices in the upper midwest region, including Duluth office, will no longer issue Wind Chill Advisories or Wanrings. Instead, a new experimental product, the Extreme Cold Warning, will be issued for hazardous cold temperatures and/or wind chill readings. When extreme cold conditions are expected a day or two away, or values will approach but not reach the extreme cold criteria, a Special Weather Statement, will be issued.

• Extreme Cold Warning: Air Temperature or Wind Chill Value of -40 F and lower
• Special Weather Statement: Air Temperature or Wind Chill Value of -25 to -39 F
• Old Wind Chill Advisory:  Wind chills -25 F below zero to 39 below.
• Old Wind Chill Warning:  Wind chills -40 F and colder