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Arctic blast

Posted at 4:41 PM on January 13, 2009 by Paul Huttner (3 Comments)

I-90 near Jackson Minnesota looks like it could be in an episode of
The Twilight Zone today.

Well we can't say we didn't see it coming.

The coldest morning in nearly 5 years greeted those of us in the metro this morning. Twin Cities International Airport dipped to -18. Here at the Huttner Weather Lab in the west metro it was a tree cracking 22 below.

The last time we were colder was on January 30th, 2004 when thermometers plunged to 24 below. We may make a run at that wonderful number Thursday morning.

International Falls set a new record with -42 this morning. Not to be outdone, Embarrass came in at 44 below.

Duluth NWS cold numbers

The next clipper is brining snow to southwest Minnesota tonight. We'll be on the edge of this one again in the metro. Then the door is open for the coldest air mass of the winter to pour south off the ice cap. This air mass has a history of temperatures of -62 in Oimyakon, Siberia, and reading near -60 in Alaska. Higher sun angles modify arctic air masses slightly as the move southward so we usually don't get the full brunt of the arctic blast.

The good news is we're in a progressive pattern, so the arctic air will slide east as we head toward the weekend.

Until then, throw another log on the fire.

Comments (3)

Paul,

This is truly a test of "why do we live here?"

All I can say is that I'm really looking forward to summer in Minnesota, both days!

Thanks for this blog and for your work on JetStreaming.

Dave

Posted by Dave A. | January 14, 2009 7:39 AM

Thanks Dave:

That first really nice spring day with bright sun, light winds and 65 degrees is getting closer every day. At least that's what I keep telling myself!

Posted by Paul Huttner | January 15, 2009 4:51 PM

!! WOW !!

Everyone in Minnesota must have constitutions of warmed cast iron to live in such conditions!!

Bless You All and Stay Safe

Posted by Ivan White | January 16, 2009 1:22 PM

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