Cold Snap Settles In After Snow

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Some organizations in the Dakotas are canceling holiday events as bitter cold settles over the region.

A "Christmas at the Zoo" fundraising event in the North Dakota city of Minot and "Parade of Lights" events in the South Dakota cities of Yankton and Sturgis are among those being called off.

The National Weather Service has posted advisories in the two states for wind chills as low as 40 degrees below zero. Temperatures that cold can quickly freeze exposed skin and cause hypothermia.

It can lead to other problems as well, like frozen water pipes.

The weather service says it's also keeping an eye on possible rapid rises on the Missouri River caused by ice formation.

The cold comes on the heels of heavy snowfall. Some cities set records Wednesday.