A dangerously cold arctic air
mass settled across the Upper Mississippi River Valley for the end of January
2019, in the wake of a winter storm that brought several inches of snow a
day earlier.
The record-breaking cold (coldest since 1996) moved in Monday
afternoon (the 28th), with the temperatures dropping below zero by early
evening. Temperatures would not climb above zero (0 deg F) until later Friday
morning (Feb 1st) - one of the longest stretches of sub-zero temperatures
on record.
What made this air more dangerous, to deadly, was the
addition of strong, gusty winds. Northwest winds were on the increase by early
morning on the 29th (Tuesday), blowing from 15 to 25 mph with gusts upwards of
40 through that day. Wind chills from -30 to -60 F resulted. Winds would
diminish a bit Wednesday (30th), eventually becoming light that
night.
Low temperatures bottomed out around 30 below for most Wednesday
morning. Even colder readings were observed Thursday morning as clear skies and
light winds allowed temperatures to fall to -40 or colder in some areas.
Most schools closed through the week, first for the snow
storm on Monday, then for the dangerous cold Tuesday through Thursday. A state
of emergency was declared for Wednesday, Jan.30th by the Wisconsin Governor
resulting in many businesses being closed and suspension of postal
services. Tragically, the cold also resulted in some loss of life.
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