Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Knox, Maine

2023-02-03 to 2023-02-04 · Knox, Maine

Event narrative

By the late afternoon on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -45 degrees early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish.

Wider weather episode

Early on the 2nd a tropopause polar vortex (TPV) was dislodged from its position over Hudson Bay. Over time temperatures within the TPV had become very cold, with mid level temperatures around -40 degrees Celsius. The ensuing cold front blasted across Ontario in 24 hours, reaching the Longfellow Mountains early on the 3rd. Temperatures fell throughout the day, with wind chills reaching -30 or colder by the afternoon for most locations. Wind chill warning criteria was met at many locations for 12 to 24 hours. Hundreds of warming shelters were opened during the event. While the cold air remained until the 5th, diminishing winds and temperatures climbing back above freezing allowed wind chills to warm above thresholds during the first half of the day on the 4th. Most areas reported a top 3 coldest wind chill reading on record for this event.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1068611. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.