WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) --     Special  —  Baby it’s cold outside! Although the temperatures today (Monday) feel very cold, and with the wind, the day time high of one above feels like 10 below zero. The cold temperatures are also causing heating systems to work overtime, and if your vehicle sits outside, you might have had problems getting it started.

    At Westbrook Walnut Grove kids are getting a bit of a reprieve from the cold, not having to attend school because of the Martin Luther King holiday. But Tuesday morning temperatures at the bus stop were around minus 13 with wind chills in the 20 to 30 below range.



    Monday’s temperatures in northern Minnesota ranged from 20 to 30 below zero without the wind chill factor. Tuesday morning in northern Minnesota overnight temperatures were in the minus 40 to 50 degrees with the wind chill factor.

    Public Safety officials are recommending people stay inside and avoid skin exposure of more than ten minutes. That is how long it takes before skin can be damaged by exposure under  these conditions.

    While Tuesday overnight temperatures are forecast to be the lowest of the week, it will begin to moderate on Wednesday. Although Wednesday will be the highest daytime for the week with a high of about 14 degrees. However take heart because forecasters are predicting a decent warm up by Tuesday.

    Meanwhile stay inside or bundle up if you have to go out. This would probably be a good time to curl  up with a good book, or bake some cookies.