Sabrina Ullman: Dangerous wind chill with blizzard conditions possible

Frigid temperatures will continue for the next few days, with wind making conditions worse. A gusty northwest wind of 15-20 mph will increase to 25-30 mph after midnight and then to 30-35 mph by midday Friday. Overnight lows will range from 0 in Bayfield to -14 in Bemidji. Wind chills values will be -30 to -35.

Friday will be in the single digits above and below zero with wind chills of -25 to -35. A Wind Chill Advisory has been issued throughout the Northland, in effect until noon Saturday for Price, Sawyer, Washburn, Ashland, Bayfield, and Iron Counties and until 8 am Sunday for the rest of the area.

Dangerous wind chill is not the only impact of these incredibly high winds- blizzard conditions are also possible. Widespread blowing snow will reduce visibility from tonight until noon Saturday. A Blizzard Warning is in effect until 8 am Sunday for Lake and Cook Counties. Another Blizzard Warning will go into effect until midnight for Bayfield County and areas east, lasting until 6 pm Saturday.

Additionally, there is a Winter Storm Warning for south St. Louis, Carlton, and Douglas Counties until midnight Saturday night due to the travel impact expected by the blowing snow. There is also a Winter Weather Advisory for northern St. Louis, Itasca, Pine, Burnett, Washburn, and Sawyer Counties during this time.

Because of the strong, persistent northwest winds, lake-effect snow is likely along the South Shore tonight through Saturday. The U.P. will get the bulk of the accumulation, with 18-24” possible. Most of Iron County can expect 12-18”, and Bayfield is likely to have 6-12”. The Arrowhead and portions of northern Wisconsin further from the shore could have 1-3 inches of accumulation.

The good news is that Christmas day will be cold but otherwise decent as conditions begin to calm. We will see temperatures improve this week, possibly even reaching the thirties by next Thursday.

Tonight

A chance of flurries before 5am, then a slight chance of snow after 5am. Widespread blowing snow, mainly after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -11. Wind chill values between -30 and -35. Windy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday

A 20 percent chance of snow. Widespread blowing snow. Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 0. Wind chill values between -25 and -35. Very windy, with a northwest wind 30 to 35 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph.

Saturday

Widespread blowing snow, mainly before noon. Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 4. Windy, with a northwest wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

Christmas Day

Mostly sunny, with a high near 8. Blustery, with a northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 10. North wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday

A slight chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 20. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday

A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.