Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — O'brien, Iowa

2025-02-18 · O'brien, Iowa

Event narrative

The lowest wind chills ranged from 35 to 38 below zero with 38 below zero observed at a personal weather station near Hartley. The Sheldon Regional Airport (KSHL) reported a minimum wind chill of 37 below zero.

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 30 to 42 below zero.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1294144. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.