Mower County placed under wind chill warning, prompt school closings; Wind chills as low as 60 below zero expected
Published 1:45 pm Monday, January 28, 2019
Heavy snow fell in Mower County through Sunday evening and Monday morning, but more severe weather is expected Tuesday and Wednesday.
The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning for the area in effect from noon Tuesday through noon Thursday. As a result, Austin and Lyle Public Schools and Pacelli Schools announced they will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
According to NWS meteorologist Logan Lee, temperatures will fall below zero Monday night. The high on Tuesday is expected to be 9 degrees below zero, while the low going into Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning is expected to be 34 degrees below zero. Lee also said winds on Tuesday will range from 15 to 25 miles per hour, causing the wind chill to be between 50-60 degrees below zero late Tuesday and early Wednesday.
Winds on Tuesday can also cause snow drifting, making for possible hazardous travel. Lee said the impact on main roads should not be severe.
Temperatures will be lower on Wednesday with an expected high of 20 degrees below zero and low of 35 degrees below zero Wednesday night. Winds during the day Wednesday are predicted to be between 5-15 miles per hour.
In such extreme temperatures, frostbite can occur in less than 10 minutes.
Minnesota Public Radio reported that Gov. Tim Walz would not order statewide school closures, choosing instead to defer it to local school districts.