Frigid temperatures are expected to hold on through Monday morning, followed by a possibility of up to 7 inches of snow.
The National Weather Service in Duluth reported Brainerd will see about 1-3 inches of snow Monday, Jan. 21, starting mainly after 11 a.m., with another 2-4 includes are possible Monday night into Tuesday morning.
But before the snow flies, Brainerd residents will have to first get past the wind chill. The weather service Sunday afternoon issued a wind chill advisory for Crow Wing, Cass and Aitkin counties, which includes the cities of Brainerd, Pine River, Aitkin and Walker. The advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Monday. The forecast Sunday night includes wind chill values of 25 to 35 degrees below zero, with a few cold spots that could reach wind chills of 40 degrees below zero.
A wind chill advisory is issued when the combination of wind and cold air create very cold wind chills, the weather service reported. Frostbite and hypothermia, which can lead to death, can occur if steps are not taken to protect a person. The NWS encourages people to cover up, dress warmly and in layers and travel with extra blankets or additional clothing in case of vehicle trouble.
The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.
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A warm front is expected to move into the area Monday afternoon bringing widespread snowfall. A 24-hour winter weather advisory from noon Monday to noon Tuesday in the Brainerd area.
A winter weather advisory for snow means periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. People can expect snow-covered roads and limited visibilities, and should use caution while driving.
Crow Wing, Cass and Aitkin counties, as well as the northeast parts of Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, are in the path of the coming snowstorm. Snowfall will develop from west to east Monday afternoon across the Northland, beginning in the Brainerd lakes region. Snowfall rates will be most intense Monday night into early Tuesday morning, with snowfall rates over 1 inch per hour possible at times. Total snowfall amounts will range from 4-6 inches in some spots, with higher amounts possible in the Twin Ports.
"Our main concern for the hazardous conditions will be for the Tuesday morning commute," NWS Meteorologist Justin Schultz said. "The heaviest part of the snow will fall just before or during the morning commute. The morning commute will be slow going and people should allow more time to reach their destination. They also should allow more distance between their vehicle and the one in front of them."
The forecast for Brainerd:
• Monday morning low temperature around 12 degrees below zero, with wind chills values between 20 to 30 degrees below zero.
• Monday high temperature near 12 degrees. There will be a south wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. New snow accumulations of 1-3 inches possible.
• Monday night's low around 8 degrees, with a southeast wind of 5-15 mph and gusts as high as 25 mph. New snow accumulations of 2-4 inches possible.
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• Tuesday snow is likely before noon, with a high near 18 degrees. A light and variable wind of 5-10 mph is expected in the afternoon. Tuesday night the low temperature is expected to be about 5 degrees below zero.
• Wednesday high near 15 degrees.
• Thursday high near 3 degrees, with a low around 24 degrees below at night.
• Friday high near 2 degrees below zero.
• Saturday high near 5 degrees.
