Winter in the 612 and 651 has always been a badge of honor. Honestly, if you aren't complaining about the wind chill while scraping ice off a windshield with a credit card, are you even a Minnesotan?
But the latest weather forecast twin cities minnesota is serving up something a bit more bitey than the usual January "refreshment."
Right now, as of Saturday, January 17, 2026, we’re looking at a thermometer that says 12°F but a reality that feels closer to -4°F. That’s thanks to a northwest wind cutting through at 14 mph. It’s that specific kind of cold that makes your nose hairs freeze the second you step out of the Caribou.
The Immediate Outlook: Snow and Shivers
If you’re planning on hitting the North Loop or heading over to St. Paul today, keep the parka zipped. We’ve got light snow on the menu with a high of 12°F. It’s not a "snowmageddon" situation—just about a 20% chance of the white stuff—but it’s enough to make the roads slick.
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Tonight, the mercury is going on a deep dive. We’re dropping down to -3°F.
Tomorrow, Sunday, looks like a carbon copy for the high (12°F again), but the low is where things get gnarly. We’re talking -11°F. If you’ve got a Sunday night hockey league or just need to walk the dog, basically, double up on the wool socks. The wind is shifting to the west and picking up to 17 mph, which means the "feels like" temp is going to be genuinely disrespectful.
Why This Forecast Matters (and What’s Coming)
Usually, we get these cold snaps and they vanish. Not this time.
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Monday is looking like the real test of our collective mettle. The high is forecasted at -2°F. Yes, a high of two below zero. With a low of -12°F and 11 mph winds, it’s one of those days where the kids probably won't be outside for recess.
Here is the breakdown for the week ahead:
- Tuesday: Still cloudy, high of 10°F, low of -10°F.
- Wednesday: A "balmy" 19°F. This is our peak for the week. Soak it in.
- Thursday: Back down to 10°F.
- Friday: Staying steady at 11°F with a low of -7°F.
The weirdest part? Next weekend looks even more intense. Saturday, January 24, has a forecasted high of -7°F and a low of -16°F. That is "stay inside and watch Netflix until your eyes bleed" weather.
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Navigating the Twin Cities Winter Realities
Look, we’ve all seen the local news reports where a reporter stands on a bridge in a blizzard. It’s iconic. But the nuance here is the "clipper" systems. These aren't the massive Gulf moisture storms that dump a foot of snow; they’re fast-moving, dry, and accompanied by the kind of wind that finds the one gap in your scarf.
Experts from the National Weather Service and local legends like the WCCO weather team have been tracking this polar air for days. It’s a classic "reality check" after what was actually a pretty mild start to the month. Before January 13, the Twin Cities were running about 9 degrees warmer than average. Nature is just balancing the books now.
Survival Tips for the Next 48 Hours
You’ve lived here long enough to know the drill, but a reminder never hurts:
- Check your tire pressure. This sudden drop in temp makes that little dashboard light pop on like a Christmas tree.
- Garage your car if you can. If not, make sure your battery is up to the task of a -12°F morning on Monday.
- Humidity control. The humidity is hovering around 67% to 81%. It sounds high, but in the winter, that just means "damp cold," which feels way worse than "dry cold." Keep the moisturizer handy.
The weather forecast twin cities minnesota shows we’re in the thick of it. By the time we hit next Sunday, January 25, we might see more snow showers and another low of -16°F. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Actionable Steps for the Week:
- Monday morning commute: Give yourself an extra 15 minutes. Not just for the roads, but for the car to actually warm up.
- Home Maintenance: If you have an older home in South Minneapolis or the Highland Park area, keep a trickle of water running in the pipes on Monday and Saturday nights when we hit those double-digit negatives.
- Check on Neighbors: Especially the elderly who might struggle with salt or shoveling the light dusting of snow expected Sunday.