The upper level pattern the second week of January had a very strong long-wave trough across the Great Lakes region that basically caused significant arctic air to invade the upper Midwest.
A deep snow pack and several minor snowfall events prior to this arctic outbreak allowed for little modification of this air mass as it dived southward. Temperatures dropped below zero and stayed below zero for the majority of the outbreak.
In addition to the low temperatures, brisk winds of 10 to 20 mph caused wind chill values to drop into the 40 to 60 below range. Some of the coldest wind chill values are as follows; Glenwood at -56, Morris at -56, Alexandria at -51, Benson at -51, Granite Falls at -51, Appleton at -49, Redwood Falls at -49, Willmar at -49, Fairmont at -48, St. Cloud at -48, and St. James at -47.

Cold/Wind Chill in FARIBAULT, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in FREEBORN, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in KANABEC, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in MARTIN, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in MEEKER, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in MORRISON, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in ISANTI, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 20:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in RICE, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 20:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 20:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in SIBLEY, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 20:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in GOODHUE, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 20:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 20:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in BENTON, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in BLUE EARTH, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in KANDIYOHI, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in MCLEOD, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in CARVER, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in SWIFT, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 09:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in TODD, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in ANOKA, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 20:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in CHISAGO, MINNESOTA
From 15-JAN-09 00:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in RAMSEY, MINNESOTA
From 15-JAN-09 00:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in YELLOW MEDICINE, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 09:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in WASHINGTON, MINNESOTA
From 15-JAN-09 00:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in NICOLLET, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in LE SUEUR, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in MILLE LACS, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in SHERBURNE, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in WATONWAN, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in STEELE, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in WASECA, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 09:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 09:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in BROWN, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in DOUGLAS, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 09:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in POPE, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 09:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.

Cold/Wind Chill in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-09 09:00:00 to 16-JAN-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Low temperatures and brisk winds caused wind chill values to fall below -35 for hours.