By Austin Daily Herald and the Associated Press

Hundreds of schools across Minnesota — including Austin, Lyle, Southland and LeRoy-Ostrander — have called off classes because of the dangerously cold temperatures. Blooming Prairie and Hayfield-Brownsdale and several others are two-hours late today.

Minneapolis Public Schools are among those deciding to close Wednesday. Temperatures across the state are well below zero. And, with the wind chill, those readings have dipped to 40 below at Bemidji and minus 29 in the Twin Cities. Austin’s lowest recorded temperature overnight was 8 below with a wind chill of 31 below, which wasn’t quite as cold as forecasters had predicted.

A wind chill warning was in effect until noon.

Experts say the temperatures can cause frostbite on exposed skin in 10 to 20 minutes. The brisk wind can also cause a greater loss of body heat.

Forecasters say Thursday and Friday will continue to be bitterly cold. Thursday’s high temperature could hit 14 degrees in Austin, but it will drop back to a high of 2 below on Friday.

Blustery winds could creates some drifting on rural roads today and Thursday. Light snow is possible Thursday morning.