Coldest temp in 5 years

As promised days ago, all of Minnesota experienced bitterly cold weather this morning.

Strong northwest winds combined with the cold air to produce wind chill readings as low as 50 - 60 below in some parts of the state. Air temperatures dropped into the minus 20’s and 30’s during the overnight hours and most cities may not see above zero temps again until Wednesday. The coldest temperature reported to the National Weather Service was 40 below in Babbitt, Brimson and Embarrass. Rochester dropped below zero around 1 a.m. yesterday and the airport temperature at midnight was 19 below. At 6 a.m. it was 23 below, the coldest it’s been in the city since January 2009. The wind chill readings reported at the airport this morning were in the minus 50’s at times, among the coldest in the state. A wind chill warning remains in effect for the entire state through tomorrow. A gradual warmup is expected this week.

Governor Dayton ordered all public K-12 schools closed today because of the frigid weather but will leave it up to local districts to make the decision for tomorrow’s classes. Minneapolis, St. Paul and some other Twin Cities districts have already decided to remain closed for a second straight day. Rochester’s public schools will open two hours late tomorrow.