Anniversary Date for Worst Ever Windchill Conditions

On today's date (Jan 22), 1936 a cold wave gripped the state of Minnesota and produced the all-time worst windchill conditions. In the Twin Cities area in the early morning hours the windchill readings were -70 degrees F (-90 degrees F in the old Windchill System). Some rural areas of the state saw values colder than -80 to -85 degrees F. Under such conditions frostbite can be experienced in only a matter of minutes.

Over January 21-27, 1936 the Twin Cities remained below 0 degrees F for a period of 142 consecutive hours, and repeatedly had spells of dangerous windchill values. There were reports of fatalities due to exposure and even the street car switches stopped working and rail cars froze to the tracks.

Certainly this was one of the most challenging winter spells of weather in Minnesota history!