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Arctic Blast Hits Minnesota: Wind Chills Plunge to -60°F

2/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

An intense cold snap is about to grip Minnesota and nearby regions, plunging temperatures to a bone-chilling 15 to 25 degrees below zero, with wind chills plummeting to a staggering 60 below. Warnings are in place from Sunday night through Wednesday morning, as frostbite can occur in mere minutes for anyone caught in the frigid air. Relief is on the horizon with a warming trend anticipated by next weekend.

History

Historical Context

Minnesota's extreme cold snap mirrors historical weather events, notably the Armistice Day Blizzard of 1940, which brought severe temperature drops and fatalities. Similar to past cold waves, including the January 2018 cold snap, this current freeze results from a southward shift of the polar vortex, highlighting ongoing climate patterns that lead to extreme winter conditions in the Midwest.

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Story summary

An intense cold snap is about to grip Minnesota and nearby regions, plunging temperatures to a bone-chilling 15 to 25 degrees below zero, with wind chills plummeting to a staggering 60 below. Warnings are in place from Sunday night through Wednesday morning, as frostbite can occur in mere minutes for anyone caught in the frigid air. Relief is on the horizon with a warming trend anticipated by next weekend.

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