The Upper Midwest is in the midst of a 24-hour transition from spring to winter today as bitter cold replaces Tuesday’s record warmth.

Frigid air following an arctic cold front is erasing Tuesday’s warmth that broke more than a dozen record highs.

Temperatures today will continue to plunge to or well past the freezing mark instead of soaring 10 to 30 degrees above that threshold as was the case on Tuesday.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport set a new record high on Tuesday when temperatures rose to 52 degrees. Today, temperatures are expected to drop into the 20s before sunset.

The change will be even more dramatic farther west in Rapid City, S.D.

After an unusually warm high of 61 degrees (37 degrees is average) on Tuesday, snow returned to Rapid City early this morning and temperatures will be held to the teens this afternoon.

Widespread single-digit lows, on both sides of zero, will grip the entire region tonight. Temperatures will then struggle to rebound on Thursday.

Biting winds will make winter’s return throughout the Upper Midwest even harsher.

Wind gusts up to 45 mph will combine with the cold to create subzero AccuWeather.com RealFeel® temperatures by this afternoon.

Tonight, RealFeel temperatures will range from 10 below zero to 30 below zero tonight. Cold of this caliber is dangerous and anyone heading outside should definitely bundle up.

Animals normally kept outdoors should either be brought inside or given extra protection against the cold.

The return of frigid air is being marked by a band of snow pushing southeastward through the Upper Midwest today.

Substantial accumulations are not expected, but motorists should stay alert for slick spots and reduced visibility.

Drivers of semi-trucks will also feel today’s gusty winds significantly tug on their high-profile vehicles.

The snow will intensify and prove more disruptive to residents and travelers across the Great Lakes on Thursday. Chicago is in line to receive its most significant snow event so far this winter.