Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Sawyer, Wisconsin

2009-01-13 to 2009-01-16 · Sawyer, Wisconsin

Wider weather episode

A strong cold front passed through northwestern Wisconsin during the late afternoon of the 12th. Arctic air became firmly entrenched after the frontal passage, and temperatures fell below zero and remained there through the morning of the 16th. The cold temperatures led to the death of a Hayward man during the early morning of the 13th. Authorities believe he died while sleepwalking outside his home. Northwestern Wisconsin had 80 to 90 consecutive hours below zero. Morning low temperatures during each of these mornings ranged from the 20s and 30s below zero in much of northwestern Wisconsin. Wind chills bottomed out in the 30s to 40s below zero on the mornings of the 15th and 16th. Most schools and outdoor recreation were closed on these days. A 51-year-old Hayward man died of hypothermia while sleeping walking the morning of 13th. His body was found 200 feet from his home.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 152393. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.