Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas Brace for Dangerous Windchills Dropping as Low as 50° Below Zero Tonight

MINNESOTA — A life-threatening blast of Arctic air will deliver dangerously low windchills tonight across Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas, with the Plains, Midwest and Ohio Valley experiencing some of the coldest conditions of the season. Forecast maps show windchill values plunging 40–50°F below zero in parts of the Upper Midwest, creating extreme frostbite risk within minutes.

Coldest Zones: 40° to 50° Below Zero

Large sections of Minnesota and the eastern Dakotas will see the most severe conditions.
Windchill projections across Minneapolis and surrounding areas fall into the –40° to –50° range, marking the most hazardous category on the forecast map.

These values are cold enough to cause exposed skin to freeze in less than 10 minutes.

30° to 40° Below Zero Across Iowa and Southern Minnesota

A broader zone stretching across Iowa, northern Missouri, and southern Minnesota is forecast to see –30° to –40° windchills.
Cities highlighted include:

• Des Moines
• Omaha region
• Northern Missouri counties

Residents should avoid unnecessary outdoor activity tonight.

20° to 30° Below Zero Into Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana

Areas including Chicago, Green Bay, Indianapolis, and surrounding communities will drop into the –20° to –30° below zero range.

Even quick trips outside—such as walking to the car—will feel dangerously colder than the actual air temperature.

10° to 20° Below Zero Across Missouri, Ohio and the Lower Midwest

A secondary cold zone will impact St. Louis, Columbus, Detroit, and parts of Ohio and Kentucky.
Windchills here range from –10° to –20°, still considered hazardous for prolonged exposure.

0° to 10° Below Zero Stretching Into Oklahoma and Arkansas

The Arctic outbreak reaches far south tonight, with Tulsa, Fayetteville, and portions of northern Arkansas and Oklahoma forecast to experience 0° to –10° windchills.

This unusual southward reach underscores the strength of the cold front.

Safety Precautions for Tonight

With such extreme windchill levels, forecasters urge the following:

• Limit time outdoors; avoid travel if possible
• Cover all exposed skin to prevent frostbite
• Keep pets indoors—conditions become unsafe within minutes
• Check on elderly neighbors or anyone without reliable heat
• Prepare for potential home heating strain during peak cold hours

Outlook

Temperatures remain extremely cold overnight but are expected to slowly moderate late this week, bringing some relief across the Midwest and Plains.

NapervilleLocal.com will continue monitoring the evolving conditions and provide updates as temperatures shift. If you want a version with stronger warnings or shorter wording for mobile readers, just let me know.