Wind chills Wednesday morning were among the worst in recorded history
Around the 3-4 a.m. mark, the National Weather Service recorded wind values of -61 degrees at Rochester International Airport. That ties Christmas Eve 1983 as the second lowest reading since 1948, when meteorologists first began tracking the data locally. The only day in recorded history colder was back on January 10, 1982, when wind chills dropped down to -64.
Related coverage: Rochester warming shelter open 24/7 through Thursday as bone-chilling cold moves in
At the lowest point Wednesday morning, temperatures were at -29 degrees. The cool arctic air was made more extreme by winds over 20 mph.
Looking ahead, a Wind Chill Warning remains in effect in the area through 10 a.m. Thursday. Overnight Wednesday into Thursday, winds are expected to be a bit calmer than the night before. Still, temperatures are likely to drop under -30 degrees — potentially putting wind chills below -40.
The NWS advises that if you must venture outside the house: bring extra warm clothing, let someone know of your travel plans, and ensure you have a cell phone and battery backup in the event you become stranded.
Live weather updates can be found here.
Cover graphic from the NWS in La Crosse, Wis.
