Rochester, MN – A bitter blast of arctic air will grip southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin Thursday morning, with forecasters warning that several cities may tie or break long-standing December 4 cold records. According to the National Weather Service in La Crosse, temperatures are expected to fall into the single digits below zero, with wind chills dropping to –10°F to –25°F before sunrise.
Historical records show some of the coldest December readings dating back more than a century. Theilman, MN, which holds a record low of –22°F set in 1985, is one of the locations most likely to challenge its historic mark. Rochester, which last hit –15°F in 1886, may also approach or meet its all-time December 4 low.
Other cities at risk for record or near-record cold include Preston, MN (–19°F in 1985), Austin, MN (–10°F in 1991), and Viroqua, WI (–18°F in 1940). Portions of western Wisconsin—from Sparta to Prairie du Chien—are also forecast to reach temperatures comparable to records from 1893, 1976, and 1985.
Wind chill forecasts show widespread subzero conditions across the region, ranging from –5°F to –15°F in southern counties and –20°F to –25°F in some of the coldest pockets of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Temperatures are expected to gradually recover into the teens and 20s by Thursday afternoon before moderating further into Friday.
The National Weather Service urges residents to dress in layers, limit time outdoors, and protect pets and exposed pipes. Frostbite can develop quickly when wind chills fall below –20°F.
A full breakdown of cities, forecast lows, and historical records is available through the La Crosse NWS office.
