Another Cold Snap on the Way

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Here we go again.

The unseasonably warm temperatures of the past few days give way to another cold snap today, with temperatures in central Dakota County dropping to about 3 below zero tonight.

Thursday's high will barely top the zero mark, and on Thursday night, we could see temperatures dip to 12 below zero. The cold temperatures could be accompanied by winds of up to 17 mph, which would equal a wind chill of more than 30 below zero.

That's cold enough to warrant special precautions; going outdoors for more than 30 minutes without gloves or a face mask could result in frostbite. Motorists are urged to pack along extra clothing and a blanket in case of problems. Pets can also suffer from the cold, even on short walks.

Temperatures should recover into the 20s by Saturday.

How to dress during severely cold weather:

• Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Trapped air between the layers will insulate you. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded.
• Wear a hat, because 40 percent of your body heat can be lost from your head.
• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
• Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.
• Try to stay dry and out of the wind.