Extreme Cold Forces Widespread City Facility Closures in Coon Rapids

COON RAPIDS, Minn. — A dangerous Arctic outbreak gripping central Minnesota has forced the closure of multiple city facilities and the cancellation of public services across Coon Rapids on Friday, January 23, as wind chills plunge to life-threatening levels.

City officials confirmed that the closures are a precautionary response to extreme cold conditions that pose serious health risks, particularly to older adults, outdoor workers, and anyone exposed for prolonged periods.

City Facility Closures and Modified Services

According to official updates from the City of Coon Rapids, several facilities are closed or operating under modified schedules today.

Senior Center
The Coon Rapids Senior Center is closed Friday, January 23, and all scheduled activities and classes are canceled. Senior Services staff remain available by phone to assist residents with questions or urgent needs. Regular programming is expected to resume on Monday, January 26, pending improved weather conditions.

City officials emphasized that older adults are particularly vulnerable to frostbite, hypothermia, and complications from extreme cold, making the closure a necessary safety measure.

Recycling Center

The Coon Rapids Recycling Center is also closed Friday due to the cold. The facility is scheduled to reopen on Saturday, January 24, with delayed operating hours from noon to 3 p.m. Residents are encouraged to plan ahead and postpone non-essential trips.

Warming Houses and Outdoor Ice Rinks
All outdoor warming houses and skating rinks are closed on Friday. These facilities are expected to reopen on Saturday, January 24, at 1 p.m., weather permitting.

Coon Rapids maintains five regulation outdoor hockey rinks and four open skating rinks, which are popular winter gathering spaces. However, officials stress that extreme wind chills make outdoor recreation unsafe even for short durations.

Dangerous Weather Conditions Persist

The closures come as the National Weather Service has placed the area under an Extreme Cold Warning.

As of Friday morning:

• Actual temperature: -18°F
• Wind chill: -39°F, driven by northwest winds near 11 mph

Forecast conditions for the day include:

• High near -10°F
• Overnight low around -20°F
• Wind chills ranging between 35 and 45 degrees below zero

According to the National Weather Service, frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes under these conditions.

Safety Guidance for Residents

City officials and public health experts are urging residents to take immediate precautions during the extreme cold event:

• Limit outdoor exposure and avoid unnecessary travel
• Dress in multiple layers, following the three-layer rule, and ensure all skin is covered, including the face and neck
• Protect homes from frozen pipes by opening cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate and letting faucets drip slightly
• Check on older adults, neighbors, and individuals with limited mobility
• Keep pets indoors

City leaders say updates on reopening schedules and weather-related changes will continue to be shared through official communication channels as conditions evolve.

For now, officials urge residents to remain cautious and prioritize safety.

Stay safe and stay warm.

MinneapoliMedia