Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Banner, Nebraska

2022-12-21 to 2022-12-22 · Banner, Nebraska

Event narrative

An overnight low temperature of -23 F, combined with sustained winds 25-35 MPH resulted in a period of extreme wind chills across Banner County. Minimum observed wind chill values reached -58 F at K1BW (Bravo, 9 NE of Albin) at 6:55 AM MST on 12/22.

Wider weather episode

An intense arctic cold front tracked rapidly from north to south across western Nebraska during the morning and afternoon hours on 12/21. Numerous records were set for the most rapid and extreme temperature drops in history. Morning low temperatures fell to -20 to -40 degrees F across the western Nebraska Panhandle on 12/22, with many sites remaining below zero through the day. Wind chills plummeted to between -45 and -65 degrees F for many. The cold frontal passage on 12/21 was also accompanied by scattered snow showers and locally intense snow squalls, resulting in a period of extremely low visibilities and dangerous travel conditions due to a flash freeze.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1062782. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.