Arctic Cold Snap To Follow Snow In Woodbury To Start 2022

WOODBURY, MN — 2022 is set to get off to a frigid start in Woodbury, which is seeing its coldest weather since February.

Days after a storm dropped several inches of snow on the Twin Cities metro, an arctic blast is expected to make temperatures plunge close to zero for the New Year’s holiday weekend.

The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook Thursday for much of central and southern Minnesota, with forecasts predicting wind chill values of negative 20 degrees Friday. Wind chill values could reach as low as negative 35 degrees over the weekend, the NWS said.

The high temperature on New Year’s Eve in Woodbury is expected to be about 15 degrees, so don't plan on doing any outdoor final countdowns and champagne sipping without layers.

Up to an inch of snow is likely to fall in Woodbury between noon and 3 p.m. Friday, the NWS said.

Temperatures are expected to drop to negative 10 on Friday night, with wind chill values around negative 24, according to NWS forecasts.

High temperatures on New Year’s Day will reach negative 2, with a low around negative 17 degrees Saturday night, the NWS said.

High temperatures are forecast to climb into the 20s for the first week of 2022.

The National Weather Service has issued a number of extreme cold safety tips, including minimizing travel whenever possible; keeping a winter survival kit inside your vehicle; checking tire pressure, antifreeze levels, and the heater and defroster in your car; and shutting off water valves for potential pipe bursts.

Here is the National Weather Service’s forecast for the New Year’s holiday weekend:

Thursday
Snow before 11 a.m., then flurries likely between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. High near 23. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Friday (New Year’s Eve)
Snow likely, mainly between noon and 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 15. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around -10. Wind chill values as low as -24. North northwest wind around 10 mph.

Saturday (New Year's Day)
Partly sunny and cold, with a high near -2. North northwest wind around 10 mph.

Saturday night
Partly cloudy, with a low around -17. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 6. West northwest wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Sunday night
Mostly clear, with a temperature rising to around 5 by 3 a.m. South wind around 5 mph.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 24. South southwest wind around 5 mph.