Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Arctic blast

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I-90 near Jackson Minnesota looks like it could be in an episode of

The Twilight Zone today.

Well we can't say we didn't see it coming.

The coldest morning in nearly 5 years greeted those of us in the metro this morning. Twin Cities International Airport dipped to -18. Here at the Huttner Weather Lab in the west metro it was a tree cracking 22 below.

The last time we were colder was on January 30th, 2004 when thermometers plunged to 24 below. We may make a run at that wonderful number Thursday morning.

International Falls set a new record with -42 this morning. Not to be outdone, Embarrass came in at 44 below.

Duluth NWS cold numbers

The next clipper is brining snow to southwest Minnesota tonight. We'll be on the edge of this one again in the metro. Then the door is open for the coldest air mass of the winter to pour south off the ice cap. This air mass has a history of temperatures of -62 in Oimyakon, Siberia, and reading near -60 in Alaska. Higher sun angles modify arctic air masses slightly as the move southward so we usually don't get the full brunt of the arctic blast.

The good news is we're in a progressive pattern, so the arctic air will slide east as we head toward the weekend.

Until then, throw another log on the fire.

PH