Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Giles, Tennessee

2022-12-23 · Giles, Tennessee

Event narrative

An AWOS station at Pulaski Abernathy Field measured a minimum wind chill of -20 degrees.

Wider weather episode

An abnormally strong and cold upper-level low pressure system plunged southward through much of the central and eastern United States, bringing a blast of Arctic air. These historically cold temperatures impacted all of Middle Tennessee beginning late on December 22, 2022. As the Arctic front swept eastward through the area, temperatures plummeted with low temperatures on the morning of December 23rd in the single digits and even below zero. This front also brought strong winds, and the combination of very cold air and strong winds resulted in brutal wind chills with values of -15 degrees to -30 degrees common areawide through December 24th. While snow was observed with this system, it did not last long and snow accumulations of only 1 to 2 inches was found approximately in areas north of Interstate 40. However, this snow resulted in significant impacts by early December 23rd with numerous traffic accidents and road closures reported.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1061307. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.