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Bone-Chilling Cold Watch: Minnesota Faces -25°F Temperatures

2/16/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Minnesota braces for a chilly Saturday night with light snow dusting the ground. But the real shock comes Sunday night as an extreme cold watch kicks in, plunging temperatures to a bone-chilling 25 degrees below zero, with wind chills biting even deeper at 35 to 45 below. Relief may be on the horizon by next weekend.

History

Historical Context

Minnesota's extreme cold watch echoes past severe winter events, notably the December 2017–January 2018 cold wave that gripped much of North America. That event saw record lows and widespread disruptions, caused by the polar vortex's southward shift. Similar patterns have emerged in recent years, raising concerns about the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme winter weather linked to climate change.

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Story summary

Minnesota braces for a chilly Saturday night with light snow dusting the ground. But the real shock comes Sunday night as an extreme cold watch kicks in, plunging temperatures to a bone-chilling 25 degrees below zero, with wind chills biting even deeper at 35 to 45 below. Relief may be on the horizon by next weekend.

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