Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Sanborn, South Dakota

2025-01-20 · Sanborn, South Dakota

Event narrative

The lowest wind chills ranged from 35 to 43 below zero with 43 below zero observed at the South Dakota Road Weather Information System site near Forestburg.

Wider weather episode

An Arctic airmass and elevated winds resulted in dangerous wind chills across parts of east-central South Dakota during the early morning of January 19. After a brief reprieve during the day, a secondary push of cold air resulted in the expansion of dangerous wind chills across much of southeast South Dakota January 20 and then extended into the morning hours of January 21 for some areas. The lowest wind chills during these periods ranged from 35 to 45 below zero with at least two locations dipping as low as 46 below zero.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1293847. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.