Dangerously Cold Weather Blankets the Dakotas

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Schools are closed throughout the Dakotas as life-threatening cold weather pushes through the region.

The National Weather Service reports overnight lows in the two states in the minus teens and 20s, and wind chills in the minus 30s, 40s, and even 50s. Meteorologist Philip Schumacher says frostbite can happen in a matter of minutes in such conditions.

Many public schools closed for the day Monday. The University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University also called off classes. In the North Dakota city of Minot, officials canceled residential garbage collection. In the South Dakota city of Sioux Falls, the cold even prompted the shutdown of public ice rinks.

Schumacher says it's a dangerous situation. But he says temperatures should start rising Tuesday — to above zero in some areas.

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