Cold/Wind Chill — Olmsted, Minnesota

2016-01-15 · Olmsted, Minnesota

Event narrative

An elderly woman that wandered away from a Rochester care facility died of exposure. Observations from the automated weather observing equipment at the Rochester airport indicated temperatures were in the lower 20s, freezing rain was falling and winds were sustained between 15 and 25 mph creating wind chills of 5 to 10 above zero while the woman was outdoors. She was only dressed in pants, a shirt and bathrobe with nothing on her hands or feet.

Wider weather episode

An elderly woman passed away from exposure after wandering away from a Rochester (Olmsted County) care facility. The woman left the building very early January 15th and was found about 5 hours later. She was only wearing pants, a shirt and bathrobe. Observations from the automated weather observing equipment at the Rochester airport indicated temperatures were in the lower 20s, freezing rain was falling, sustained wind speeds were between 15 and 25 creating wind chills of 5 to 10 above zero while the woman was outdoors.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 611941. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.