Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Yankton, South Dakota

2025-02-18 · Yankton, South Dakota

Event narrative

The lowest wind chills ranged from 35 to 37 below zero with 37 below zero observed at the Chan Gurney Municipal Airport (KYKN) near Yankton.

Wider weather episode

A slow-moving Arctic air mass settled across the Northern Plains for multiple days in mid-February, resulting in daily minimum air temperatures below zero. These temperatures combined with light winds to result in dangerous wind chills, mainly during the overnight and early morning hours. The lowest wind chills during these periods ranged from 35 to 45 below zero with at least one location dipping as low as 46 below zero.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1294103. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.