Mark Dayton
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Weather forecasts for dangerous cold this weekend and into next week are prompting Governor Mark Dayton to close Minnesota's public schools on Monday.

Closing school statewide for cold is something that hasn't happened since the mid 1990's.

But weather forecasts of wind chills as cold as 60-below zero are prompting state officials to call off Monday school now.

The Associated Press reports the Governor issued the order this morning:

"He says the safety of Minnesota’s school children is the state’s first priority. Dayton says all Minnesotans should be cautious about the weather in the coming days."

The National Weather Service issued a Wind Chill Advisory starting Saturday night and running through Tuesday at noon. That advisory says we can expect wind chills of -35 to -60, especially Sunday night and Monday morning. That's right when school kids would be standing outside, waiting for their busses.

The AP says the last time a Minnesota Governor cancelled school was back in February 1996 when former Governor Arne Carlson cancelled schools in weather that dropped to 30-below in the Twin Cities and 60-below in northern Minnesota.

More on the weather here.

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