Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Watonwan, Minnesota

2022-01-01 · Watonwan, Minnesota

Event narrative

A few observations across the county indicated temperatures fell to around 12 below zero by Saturday morning. These temperatures combined with winds around 10 mph, held wind chill values around 35 degrees below zero through mid morning.

Wider weather episode

An Arctic airmass remained in place during the first two days of 2022. Temperatures managed to rise slowly, but gusty winds continue to produce wind chill values in the -35F degree range for several hours in the morning, and into the early afternoon for a few counties across central and west central Minnesota. Although wind speeds decreased during the afternoon, temperatures held in the upper single digits below zero, to around 15 degrees below zero. By early evening, as winds shifted to the southwest, temperatures dropped into the 20 to 25 below zero range and wind chill values once again fell to -35 to -40 degrees below zero for a few counties across west central Minnesota.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 994768. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.