Some heavy hitters in here for potential cold records - two of the coldest places in the Lower 48 especially outside the Rockies-
Hibbing,MN record low for Jan 24th is -31F in 2008 and also in 1987 and 1961. Record keeping started in 1938
Forecast low is -37F
I-Falls, MN (the ice box of Nation) record low are as follows - records back to 1897 but missing many years early 20th century to be fair.
1/24
-40 in 1966
-37 in 1957
-36 in 2013+
Forecast low for I-Falls is -38F.
NWS DLH in a few AFD's back said there is a 5-10% chance of -50F air temp in the coldest spots without long standing climate records.
Embarrass and Cotton come to mind and also Snowbank Lake on the edge of the BWCAW.-- and don't forget Tower,MN - the official low record for MN at -60F (Feb 1st and 2nd- 1996)--- those that don't know - highly rumored at the time that a group of hardy winter campers went and slept overnight Feb 1st into Feb 2nd and recorded on low temp of -70F on max/min alcohol thermometer. You can book that because I recently meet one of those hearty souls since- and he and others will be doing the same thing this weekend. I will also be along - but can't make it until the warmer of the nights (sat into sun). Hope to share some pics.
The coldest I've ever camped in without being in a hot tent (first pic) -- fully exposed- is -29F ( vodka froze)
The coldest I've ever camped in BEING in a hot tent with fire- but the fire does go out - is -17F (just cuz I'am getting old and that record should be broken )
Here is some from years past-
Yeah, bad stretch for them no doubt, but again this winter is far from over.
And I explored the area a fair amount in late October...it's pretty cool how the city is literally right up against the mountains. There are hiking trails that go up a couple thousand feet in a few miles that start downtown.
No other city of its size quite like it in the US.