Temperatures, wind chills nearly reach record levels

   The arctic chill that closed schools and some businesses for parts of last week left impressions that may last for generations.

   Northeast Iowa wind chills reached as low as 58 degrees below zero in the area, with actual temperatures dipping below 30 degrees below zero in some areas.

   The cold temperatures came behind a storm that dropped 4-6 inches of snow Sunday night into Monday morning, closing schools in the area due to blowing and drifting in rural areas. Temperatures plunged below zero Monday night and did not climb above zero until Friday morning.

   The National Weather Service office in LaCrosse, Wis. reported low temperatures of minus 27 in Elkader and minus 26 in Guttenberg Wednesday, and even colder readings Thursday, including minus 41 in Elkader, minus 37 in Waukon, minus 34 in McGregor and minus 28 in Monona. The official low temperatures at the Prairie du Chien Municipal irport were minus 25 on Wednesday and minus 32 on Thursday.

   The lowest reported wind chill was minus 58 in Monona, while the Decorah Municipal Airport recorded a wind chill of minus 53 Wednesday morning and the Prairie du Chien Municipal Airport recorded a wind chill of minus 52 that same day. NWS observations come from a variety of sources and not all are considered official.

For more of this story see the Feb. 6 Outlook.