MINNEAPOLIS — A blast of arctic air is set to hit the state early Friday morning, bringing subzero wind chills and some of the season’s lowest temperatures so far.

On Thursday, expect partly sunny skies with a high near 21 degrees in the Twin Cities metro area. The real cold starts overnight with temperatures plunging to around 8 degrees. Northwest winds at 10 to 15 mph will make it feel even colder.

Friday night is when things really take a turn, with the mercury dropping to 1 degree and wind chills as low as -12 degrees.

After a mild December, January will bring more typical winter weather, with temperatures likely dipping below the seasonal average for this time of year.

Here’s the full NWS forecast from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport:

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 21. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 8. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 15. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 1. Wind chill values as low as -12. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 12. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 1. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 13. North wind around 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5. North wind around 10 mph.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 16. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 13. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 0. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 12. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Law enforcement officials in Minnesota are reacting to the horrific attack in New Orleans, saying they stand in solidarity with the New Orleans Police Department during this difficult time.

MPD reflecting

What they’re saying: “We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and families affected by the tragic attack in New Orleans. This senseless act of violence is deeply shocking, and our hearts go out to everyone involved,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara on Wednesday.

Security top of mind

Dig deeper: The attack comes at a time when conversations around revitalizing the urban core of the City of Minneapolis revolves around re-imagining areas like Nicollet Mall and the Warehouse District to attract more visitors and host special events.

“Downtown is becoming a playground. It is becoming a destination. A place of entertainment that is thriving in every single sense,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey when he announced his latest goals with the Downtown Action Plan in October.

One measure of success for this plan would mean large crowds.

MPD planning for high traffic

What to know: For law enforcement, especially in major cities, it is a critical task to ensure public safety at crowded gatherings and events.

Chief O’Hara reiterated his agency’s commitment to working tirelessly with partners to protect the community from threats, while saying they are constantly evaluating security measures.

“MPD has been and will continue to plan for and staff major events in the city, along with additional staffing during high traffic times like our Late Night Safety plan does during bar close downtown,” O’Hara said. “The numerous high-profile national events that were hosted in Minneapolis in 2024 without major disruptions is a testament to the incredible work being done by all members of the MPD.”

O’Hara also added he commends the courage and swift actions of the first responders in New Orleans.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – It looks like 2024 is going to be tied for the warmest year on record for the Twin Cities.

Warmest years in Minnesota

What we know: As of Jan. 1, 2025, the average temperature in the Twin Cities was 50.9 degrees in 2024, which is tied with 1931.

There are many recent years in the top-seven for warmest years in Minnesota, including 2012, 2016, 2021 and 2023, setting a warming trend in recent years.

Warm weather in 2024

Digging deeper: 2024 being tied for warmest year on record comes after a record-warm fall in Minnesota.

September-November 2024 was the warmest autumn in 130 years in Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The average temperature for those three months was 50.26 degrees, beating the previous record set in 1963.

READ MORE: MN weather: Warmest fall on record in the Twin Cities

The DNR says that seven of the 10 warmest autumns on record have happened since 2000.

This autumn was also the 10th driest autumn on record.

Last winter had heat waves that caused record high temperatures and a lack of snow, with the majority of the state seeing 50% less of its normal snowfall, according to the DNR.