Early January 2015 Cold

An Arctic air mass is in place across the
Upper Midwest and western Great Lakes area
and will remain through the middle of the week
with temperatures 20 to 30 degrees below
average and gusty winds producing
wind chill values in the -35 to -45 degree range.

This bitterly cold air will be dangerous and potentially
life threatening if the proper precautions are not taken.
Here are some tips to prevent and alleviate frost bite:

Until you can get indoors:

Don't rub or massage cold body parts.
Put your hands in your armpits.
Hold onto another person or animal.
Drink warm liquids.
Put on extra layers of clothes, blankets, etc.
Remove rings, watches, and anything tight.

Once Indoors

Don't walk on a frostbitten foot. You could cause more damage.
Get in a warm, NOT hot, bath and wrap your face and ears in a
moist, warm, NOT hot, towel.
Don't get near a hot stove or heater or use a heating pad, hot
water bottle, or a hair dryer. You may burn yourself before
feeling returns.
Frostbitten skin will become red and swollen and feel like
it's on fire. You may develop blisters. Don't break the blisters.
It could cause scarring.
If your skin turns blue or gray, is very swollen, blistered or
feels hard and numb even under the surface, go to a hospital
immediately.

Check the link: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter/cold.shtml for more information.

The cold air mass will continue to push into the International Falls area tonight with temperatures
well dropping to 20 to 25 below zero and dangerously cold wind chills below -40 degrees.

Hourly forecast of temperatures and wind chill values.

Duluth will see temperatures drop to 10 to 15 below zero tonight with gusty north winds producing
wind chill values below -30 degrees.

Hourly forecast of temperatures and wind chill values.

Record low temperatures for the area for early January will be safe. Here is a list of record lows for International Falls and Duluth
from January 4th - 7th.

Duluth

International Falls

Jan 4
Jan 5
Jan 6
Jan 7

-30 in 1884
-32 in 1912
-34 in 1909
-36 in 1912

-39 in 1981
-40 in 1909
-55 in 1909
-54 in 1909