Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Milwaukee, Wisconsin

2019-01-29 to 2019-01-31 · Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Event narrative

Wind chill temperatures of 35 below to 55 below zero. A man was found frozen in a detached garage in Milwaukee on January 29th. He likely collapsed and died after shoveling snow. A man was found frozen in the snow on January 31st. He was not dressed appropriately and died from hypothermia.

Wider weather episode

A surge of historically cold arctic air settled over southern WI. Windy conditions and low temperatures in the -20s to -30s Fahrenheit resulted in wind chill temperatures of 35 below to 55 below zero for much of this period. High temperatures did not warm above 10 below zero for most locations on January 30th. Widespread government, school, and business closings were common on January 30-31st. The United States Postal Service suspended mail delivery on January 29-30th. Many water main breaks occurred especially in Madison and Milwaukee. Power outages occurred over portions of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Kenosha Counties as power lines constricted and snapped in the extreme cold. A man was found frozen in his garage in Milwaukee and had collapsed after shoveling snow. Another man was found frozen in the snow in Cudahy and died from hypothermia.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 819969. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.