It’s Never Been Colder in Minnesota Than These 10 Times

Our mild fall season here in Minnesota appears to have come to a screeching halt, as high temperatures are forecast in the 20s and 30s for the next ten days. It seems even chillier because Mother Nature has spoiled us  this autumn.

So while things have really cooled down, it has been much worse. A lot freakin' worse.

The coldest temperature ever recorded in Minnesota is only the seventh coldest temp ever in the U.S. That record belongs to Prospect Creek, Alaska where it hit -80˚ on January 20, 1971. Here are the ten coldest temps ever recorded in Minnesota history.

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The coldest temp ever recorded in the lower 48 is -70˚ on January 20, 1970 at Rogers Pass, Montana.

Minnesota's Coldest Temps Ever Recorded

• #10 - Roseau (February 2, 1996):  -52˚
• #9 - Mora (December 18, 1983):  -52˚
• #8 - Itasca (February 2, 1996):  -52˚
• #7 - Baudette (February 19, 1966):  -52˚
• #6 - Pine River Dam (February 12, 1912):  -53˚
• #5 - Moose Lake (January 15, 1972):  -53˚
• #4 - Fosston (February 1, 1996):  -53˚
• #3 - Brainerd (February 2, 1996):  -54˚
• #2 - Embarrass (January 20, 1996):  -57˚
• #1 - Tower (February 2, 1996):  -60˚

Let's hope we don't even close to any of that this winter, I actually love winter and snow, its the twenty-below temps and wind that I have a harder time with. That, and the fact that winter lasts two to three months longer than I need it to last.

The National Weather Service has issued their winter 2024-2025 outlook, and for December, January, and February is calling for near normal to slightly below normal temperatures -- along with near normal precipitation.

The first day of winter is on Saturday 21st, also known as the winter solstice, which marks the shortest day of the year. The upside is from December 22nd on, the days start getting longer again.