Frigid air that encompassed the Brainerd lakes area New Year's Day is expected to linger a bit longer.
The National Weather Service in Duluth extended its wind chill advisory for central, north-central and northeast Minnesota until 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2.
Wind chill values of 25 degrees below zero to 30 degrees below zero are expected Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning.
It is advised to cover all skin when venturing outside because frostbite can develop in as little as 20 minutes under these expected conditions, according to the National Weather Service.
A wind chill advisory is issued when the combination of wind and cold air create very cold wind chills. Frostbite and hypothermia, which can lead to death, may occur if appropriate steps are not taken, so cover up, dress warmly and in layers, travel with extra blankets or additional clothing in case of vehicle trouble.
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The actual air temperature dropped to 22 degrees below zero Monday night and into Tuesday morning. The overnight low Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning is forecast to be 14 degrees below zero, with the high temperature Wednesday climbing to 16 degrees.
There is also a 20 percent chance of snow flurries Wednesday afternoon, and with wind gusts up to 15 mph, wind chill values range from 15 degrees below zero to 25 degrees below zero are possible, the weather service reported.
The average high temperature Jan. 1 in Brainerd is 20 degrees. The record low for that date was 38 degrees below zero in 1979, and the record high was 41 degrees in 1998.
While maybe not record-setting, temperatures are certainly expected to warm up toward the end of the week.
The National Weather Service's forecast for Brainerd calls for mostly sunny skies and a high temperature of 34 on Thursday, mostly sunny skies and a high temperature of 36 on Friday, sunny skies and a high temperature of 37 degrees on Saturday and mostly cloudy and a high temperature near 32 degrees on Sunday.
Low temperatures Thursday through Sunday are expected to be in the low to mid 20s.
