National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Strus said the New Ulm region had seen the worst of the snow until the weekend, with most precipitation moving to southeastern Minnesota and Wisconsin. “The biggest concerns are the low temperatures,” Strus said.

Temperatures were expected to drop below zero over the evening and combined with a northwestern wind, the wind chill could reach -30 degrees. National Weather Servi issued a cold weather advisory Wednesday night. The extreme cold temperatures are expected to continue Thursday with a possible high of 8 degrees, but with the wind it will feel like -16 going into Thursday evening.

Strus said temperatures will warm up Friday, reaching the mid 20s. There is a chance New Ulm could receive a Valentines Day snowfall in the afternoon, but it will likely be another dusting.

“It is hard to say how much snow New Ulm will get going into Saturday,” Strus said. The snow will again hit the eastern part of the state. New Ulm is far enough west to avoid most of the snow. It could amount to only an inch.

Not enough snow fell Wednesday to get the large snowplows out into the street, but there was enough snow on the sidewalks. Ryan Kelly worked to clear downtown sidewalks Wednesday afternoon.

No matter how much snow New Ulm gets over Valentines weekend, the city is expected to see a return of cold blustery weather. Strus said by Saturday evening the temperatures would drop below zero again and remain in the negative digits through President’s Day.

Strus said snowfall this season has been minimal and the forecast did not promise much snow in the next week, but said “we’ve still got time.”

The Herbie the Hedgehog statues in German Park received a light covering of snow Wednesday. A little more snow is expected on Valentines Day.

Wednesday snowfall left a thin layer of snow over the ice on the Minnesota River. Temperatures have remained cold enough this winter to form ice, but seeing snow over that ice has been rare.