There may be no snow in the forecast this weekend, but temperatures will be dropping further into the subzero range this weekend across Southeast Minnesota.

“It looks like a very cold weekend ahead, probably the coldest we’ve seen this winter so far,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Jeff Makowski.

Makowski said Saturday will have an expected high of only 5 below with temperatures dropping as low as 15 below with a wind chill of 30 below or colder Saturday night.

Temperatures will continue to remain below zero throughout Sunday with an expected high of only 9 below.

Temperatures will not rise above zero until Monday.

The extreme cold poses a danger to Austin’s homeless population. There is no homeless shelter in Austin, so the Salvation Army works to house the homeless during nights when the weather is deemed dangerous.

“We try our best to lodge them for a night,” said caseworker Lori Espe. “When we have weather that goes beyond the one night, we have trouble.”

Espe said that people are welcome to stay in the Salvation Army building to get warm during business hours. Those who need lodging must visit the Salvation Army for help.

Austin Utilities General Manager Mark Nibaur said that, for the time being, water service lines are fine.

“Right now, we’re not seeing any freezing of service lines,” he said. “The frost has not gone so deep that it’s jeopardizing water lines.”

Nibaur said the last time that happened was in 2015. He said that Austin Utilities continuously monitors the water system and will keep customers alert of any concerns.

Nibaur also made the following suggestions to ensure that your home is ready for the cold:

• Make sure walls and pipes are insulated where necessary;

• Open cabinets in the bathroom and kitchen to allow warm air to circulate;

• If you’re away from home, keep the furnace set in the high 50s and make sure someone is checking on your home so repairs can be made quickly if the furnace goes out;

• Ensure windows and doors are properly sealed;

• Allow a small amount of water to drip from faucets; and,

• Make sure all household members know where the main shut off valve is located and how to turn it off in case of an emergency.