Extreme cold warnings issued across large parts of central and northern United States
Extreme cold warnings and watches were issued across large parts of the central and northern United States on Thursday, January 22, 2026, as a deep Arctic air mass spread southward, producing wind chills as low as −48°C (−55°F).
Image credit: NWS
- Wind chills between −30 and −48°C (−22°F to −55°F) are forecast across parts of Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and northeastern Missouri.
- Frostbite can occur within 5–10 minutes in the coldest areas, particularly across northern Minnesota and North Dakota, with prolonged exposure increasing the risk of hypothermia.
- Extreme cold warnings and watches remain in effect through January 25 in parts of the Upper Midwest and northern Plains.
Extreme cold warnings and watches have been issued across large portions of the northern and central United States as a prolonged Arctic air mass spreads southward.
The National Weather Service (NWS) reports dangerously low wind chills, in many areas ranging from −30 to −48°C (−22 to −55°F), with localized variations depending on wind exposure and timing. The warnings cover a multi-day period, with impacts expected from January 22 through January 25.
According to the NWS, wind chills at these levels can cause frostbite on exposed skin within 5–10 minutes, with hypothermia possible during prolonged exposure. Several forecast offices also warn of frozen and ruptured water pipes due to extended periods of sub-zero air temperatures.
Extreme cold warnings remain in effect for Daniels, Sheridan, Roosevelt, Richland, and Valley counties, including Culbertson, Wolf Point, Plentywood, Sidney, and Poplar. Wind chills are forecast to reach approximately −43°C (−45°F). The warning remains valid until 13:00 MST on January 25.
Multiple extreme cold warnings and watches cover northeastern and southeastern North Dakota, including Cass, Barnes, Grand Forks, Walsh, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, and Traill counties.
Forecast wind chills range from −45 to −48°C (−49 to −55°F). Some warnings expire at noon CST on January 23, while watches extend through Sunday morning, January 25.
Large portions of northern, central, and southeastern Minnesota are under extreme cold warnings, including Kittson, Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, Otter Tail, Wadena, Clay, Becker, Hubbard, Winona, Wabasha, and Olmsted counties.
Wind chills are forecast to fall to −46 to −48°C (−51 to −55°F), with frostbite possible on exposed skin in as little as 5 minutes in the coldest locations. Extreme cold watches remain in effect through Sunday morning in parts of the state.
Extreme cold warnings are in effect across central, western, and southeastern Wisconsin, including Dane, Milwaukee, Waukesha, La Crosse, Trempealeau, Jackson, and Grant counties. Wind chills will range from −34 to −42°C (−29 to −44°F).
Northern and northeastern Illinois, including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, Winnebago, and surrounding counties, are under Extreme Cold Warnings from early January 23 through midday. Forecast wind chills range between −30 and −40°C (−22 to −40°F), with the coldest conditions expected inland from Lake Michigan.
Extreme Cold Warnings cover much of northern, central, and eastern Iowa, affecting counties including Kossuth, Cerro Gordo, Webster, Story, Polk, Linn, Dubuque, Scott, and Muscatine.
Wind chills are forecast to drop to −35 to −45°C (−31 to −49°F). Extreme Cold Watches remain in effect from Friday night into Saturday morning in several areas.
Central, north-central, and northeastern South Dakota, including Brown, Spink, Codington, Day, Marshall, and Roberts counties, are under Extreme Cold Warnings from the evening of January 22 through the afternoon of January 23. Wind chills are expected to reach approximately −43°C (−45°F).
North-central Nebraska, including Cherry, Holt, Rock, Brown, and Wheeler counties, is under an Extreme Cold Warning through noon CST on January 23. Forecast wind chills are near −32°C (−26°F), with increased risk of hypothermia and infrastructure impacts.
Northeastern Missouri counties, including Clark and Scotland, are included in Extreme Cold Warnings associated with the Quad Cities forecast area. Wind chills are expected to fall to around −30°C (−22°F).
The warnings are associated with a deep Arctic air intrusion and persistent northerly winds, which significantly enhance wind chill.
While air temperatures alone are extreme, the combination of cold and wind will be the main hazard. The NWS advises limiting outdoor exposure, wearing layered winter clothing, ensuring adequate shelter for animals, and protecting water infrastructure.
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I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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