It’s not the cold, it’s the wind

After receiving 2 inches of fluffy snow Saturday, Albert Lea can expect to get more of the white stuff today.

But that’s not the story. The story is the northwest wind. Get out the scarves.

A northwest wind of 15 to 20 mph with gusts of up to 40 mph is expected to make Freeborn County frigid today, according to the National Weather Service. A winter weather advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. today for much of southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the advisory was extended.

With a high temperature today forecast at 12 degrees — it was 3 degrees at 7:30 a.m. — wind chill values are forecast to dip to 14 below zero.

“Another round of Arctic air will move into the central and eastern U.S. behind a cold front Monday,” the National Weather Services states on its homepage. “Widespread wintry precipitation is expected in these areas.”

Visibility for driving could be reduced to less than a half mile today. The snow is expected between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., with night driving to remain dangerous as patchy and blowing snow should be present until midnight.

The weather service predicts the overnight low in Albert Lea to hit 2 below. The high Tuesday is forecast at 15 above. The wind chill factor on Tuesday could reach 19 below. A blustery northwest wind will continue Tuesday. It is expected to have speeds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation lists the roads in the Albert Lea area as partially covered with ice and snow.

Is it January, February? No, it’s mid-November. Why is there so much wintry weather so early?

“There is a deep trough in the upper air pattern persisting over the central United States,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Andy Lahr of the Chanhassen bureau. “It is similar to last winter but earlier.”

Lahr said the cold should last a few more days before “potentially moderating.”

Optimists will be glad to know the high on Saturday is forecast at 32 degrees.