Extreme cold and wind chill
Wind can make already-cold air unsafe much sooner for small, short-coated, senior, or young dogs. Keep winter walks short and choose sheltered blocks.
See whether it is safe to walk your dog in Minneapolis right now, then compare the next 12 hours for a calmer, warmer, or safer window.
Minneapolis winters bring deep cold, wind, ice, and salt, while summers can turn humid with thunderstorms. Lakeside exposure and neighborhood shelter can feel very different on the same day.
Wind can make already-cold air unsafe much sooner for small, short-coated, senior, or young dogs. Keep winter walks short and choose sheltered blocks.
Warm, sticky days and thunderstorms can tighten guidance quickly after a long cold season. Recheck the hourly forecast before a longer park loop.
Treated sidewalks and frozen ruts can irritate paws and reduce traction. Avoid heavily salted slush and rinse paws after winter walks.
Waterfront routes can be much windier than inland streets. Shift to a sheltered neighborhood loop when exposure is the main concern.