Historic Jan '19 Cold Wave - Polar Vortex Intrusion

[East Dubzz]

Whew... we got up to -1 here, and I was worried we may go above 0, but it dropped back down to -2, so we may be good. I mean, if it’s gonna be that cold, may as well get some cool streak out of it.

[james1976]

Gettin wild out there. Lot of blowing snow

[Grizzcoat]

Crookston,MN officially is reporting the coldest wind chill I can ever remember in MN  ( doing my job +20 years). -26F with sustained winds at 23 knots = wind chill -60F.

METAR: KCKN 291855Z AUTO 34023KT 1/2SM BKN009 OVC015 M32/M36 A3025 RMK AO2 PWINO

 

1/2 VIS in what? Pea Soup?

[St Paul Storm]

Currently -10F and the wind is howling at times. Higher wind speeds should become more sustained in a bit. I filled my car with gas at noon. I was only standing outside for 20 seconds before I hopped back in car. I’m thoroughly convinced this cold is gonna be the real deal. I can’t imagine the wind chill dropping a good 25 degrees lower than it is right now later tonight. It’s absolutely brutal.

[MNTonka]

In the last 30 minutes the temp has dropped 4 degrees to -10 on my home thermometer. The winds have also picked up and are really starting to gust. I’m going to venture out for a walk in a bit here. I’m a sucker for extreme cold.

[Madtown]

[Grizzcoat]

-62F wind Chill now at Crookston,MN

 

-26F with 26KT sustained wind. 

[Snowshoe]

It's getting serious now. My neighborhood tavern is closing until Thursday.

[gabel23]

winds have increased in the last 15min temp holding steady at 3.....toasty 76 inside

Wood burning stove?! Man this cold is really impressive; I'm just shocked at some of the numbers being forecasted for lows. -43 for a low in the ice box of America?! Crazy! 

[St Paul Storm]

It's getting serious now. My neighborhood tavern is closing until Thursday.

Same with mine. Stopped at the liquor store at lunch. It was like the day before New Years Eve in there. 15 people in every line. Haha

 

Temp down to -13F.

[gosaints]

Boundary just went through. Impressive squall with it

[westMJim]

At this time here just NW of Grand Rapids we are getting near Blizzard conditions do not think it will last all that long but very impressive snow and blowing snow with a visibility of maybe 300 feet. Would not be a good time on the freeways. In fact there are reports of several freeways closed at this time 

Both directions of I-96 are closed from Nunica to Marne

there were too many cars involved to provide an immediate count.

County dispatchers said school buses are being called to the scene to shelter more than 100 people who are involved in the pileup. Those people were being taken to Berlin Baptist Church  
MDOT is also reporting the following highway closures:

Northbound US-131 after 124th Avenue in Allegan County.
Eastbound I-96 at M-11 (Ironwood Drive) in Ottawa County.
Westbound I-94 at 9th Street in Kalamazoo County.
The Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office says southbound US-31 at White Lake Drive is shut down due to a crash near Riley Thompson Road in Dalton Township.
 

[East Dubzz]

Just had to go outside to help jump a vehicle. And the wind chills could get 25-30 degrees colder than this?! That’s just ridiculous.

[jcwxguy]

It's gonna be so cold outside that for the first time ever, we have a choice if we want tomorrow off ( I work outdoors everyday)

[Andie]

It's gonna be so cold outside that for the first time ever, we have a choice if we want tomorrow off ( I work outdoors everyday)

Uh, no brainer. These temps and wind chills will kill.

 

Texas will sit this one out thankfully. I know you fellas love cold weather and snow, but this Texas kid is ready for a long spring

[Grizzcoat]

Have to work at midnight- love to winter camp - got a new -40 bag for Christmas with no time to head to the Boreal Forest of N.MN which I usually do = this - No bugs. Bring it NANOOK!!

 

[gosaints]

Rapid drop from -7 to -14 in 2 hours

[Madtown]

snow squall just went through...crazy!

[indianajohn]

HAHAHA

[gosaints]

Looking at the 5pm readings across central and north mn this is going to be the real deal

[Money]

Why the hell are any businesses going to be open tomorrow

 

So stupid

[East Dubzz]

Just left work and can confirm it’s cold.

[WBadgersW]

Have to work at midnight- love to winter camp - got a new -40 bag for Christmas with no time to head to the Boreal Forest of N.MN which I usually do = this - No bugs. Bring it NANOOK!!

 

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The coldest I've ever sleep in is 0°F, and that was a rough night. Can't imagine -40...

[St Paul Storm]

Down to -22F with a wind chill of -40F. Holy friggin hell this is legit.

[St Paul Storm]

Why the hell are any businesses going to be open tomorrow

So stupid

According to my boss (that works in Alabama), we’re open 365 days a year. As he sits in his t-shirt and jeans.

[Madtown]

Why the hell are any businesses going to be open tomorrow

 

So stupid

I got 3 dogs to walk that haven't cancelled yet!

[OKwx2k4]

Folks, for history's sake, I'm enjoying all the writing and describing of this really really impressive cold wave. Just wow. Stay toasty my friends!

[Madtown]

Wood burning stove?! Man this cold is really impressive; I'm just shocked at some of the numbers being forecasted for lows. -43 for a low in the ice box of America?! Crazy!

yep wood insert love it! I'll take a video later for viewing enjoyment.

[Sciascia]

Why the hell are any businesses going to be open tomorrow

 

So stupid

My boss told me that, if it were up to him, our store would be closed. Hell, his bosses are trying to get him to drive to a meeting in Milwaukee.

[gosaints]

Latest update from la crosse is scary

[gosaints]

Nearest weather station with -19 and 26.6 average wind speed. -50.2 windchill

[VMB443]

MKX said you can get frostbite in five minutes in this kind of cold - that’s incredible.

[gosaints]

Its cryptic. So windy near whiteout

[gosaints]

Usually when we get really cold its only for a couple early morning hours. We might bottom out at midnight and sit there for hours

[East Dubzz]

Down to -10 here, with a windchill of -37. Man.

[Madtown]

-8

[gosaints]

Now hit-20 should make a run at -30. La crosse says some valley locations in Wisconsin could make a run at -40 tomorrow night.

[St Paul Storm]

Now hit-20 should make a run at -30. La crosse says some valley locations in Wisconsin could make a run at -40 tomorrow night.

Falling fast and furious for sure. Now -24F temp, WC of -47. Projected low is -27 so either we level off soon or we’re gonna blow past that.

[Andie]

I got 3 dogs to walk that haven't cancelled yet!

Definitely a Three Dog Night!

[Bryan1117]

I am in Sioux Falls, SD for work, staying overnight tonight and heading back to Omaha tomorrow afternoon. 

 

Current temperature here in Sioux Falls is a balmy -17 with a WCI of -44. Heading to a low of -29 tonight - will be by far the coldest weather I have experienced in my life. 

 

It just hurts to go outside for even a few seconds... crazy cold weather! I have even seen a few wind-blown snow squalls pass through this evening, which makes it even look and feel more like Siberia.