Minneapolis – In the heart of winter, Minneapolis turned into a frozen wonderland, but not the fun kind. On January 23, 2026, the city woke up to a biting cold of minus 21 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind chills made it feel like minus 45 degrees. That’s cold enough to freeze your breath or even a plate of hot spaghetti in seconds. Jennifer McDermed, a meteorologist at FOX 9, decided to show just how bad it was. She boiled some spaghetti, took it outside, and held it up. The pasta stiffened right away, like a stick in the air. Her video went viral, drawing attention to the real threats of this polar vortex hitting the Midwest.
This wasn’t just a fun trick. It pointed to serious dangers. The cold came from a stretched polar vortex, a big swirl of cold air usually up in the Arctic. This time, it dipped south, bringing Arctic air to places like Minnesota. Experts say this stretch might be linked to climate change, making the jet stream wavier and letting cold air escape more often. People in Minneapolis and nearby areas had to be careful. Exposed skin could get frostbite in under 10 minutes. Warnings from weather services urged folks to stay inside as much as possible. Schools shut down, roads became icy traps, and the freeze was set to last until Saturday before a thaw next week.
Jennifer McDermed’s demo wasn’t new, but it fit the moment perfectly. She said in her video, “Look at this! The spaghetti is frozen solid in this cold. This shows how dangerous it is out here.” Her words echoed what many felt. The cold wave affected millions across the US, from the Midwest to the Deep South. In Minnesota, it was one of the worst in years, with wind chills nearing minus 63 degrees in some spots. Travel stopped, power lines risked breaking, and emergency services were on high alert.
What Caused This Extreme Cold?
The polar vortex is like a giant cold bubble high up in the sky over the North Pole. Normally, it stays put, keeping the cold locked in. But sometimes, it weakens or stretches. In January 2026, it stretched because of warming in the stratosphere, pushing cold air down to the US. Meteorologists blame a mix of things: less sea ice in the Arctic, more moisture in the air, and changes in the jet stream. Judah Cohen, a climate expert, once said, “These events are becoming more common as the climate warms. The polar vortex gets disrupted more easily.” This blast reminded people of past cold waves, like in 2019, when similar demos went viral.
In Minneapolis, the cold started building on Thursday evening. By Friday morning, the air temperature hit minus 21 degrees. Wind made it worse, dropping the feel to minus 45. That’s when McDermed did her spaghetti test. She boiled the pasta inside, ran out, and tossed it up. The steam froze, and the noodles went stiff. “It’s so cold, even hot food freezes fast,” she explained in a follow-up interview. This simple act showed the science: in such low temps, heat leaves things quickly, turning liquids to ice almost instantly.
But why spaghetti? It’s a classic cold weather trick. People have done it with boiling water turning to snow mid-air. Spaghetti works because it’s wet and flexible when hot, but freezes rigid. McDermed chose it to make her point clear and fun, even in a scary situation. Her station, FOX 9, shared the video, and it spread on social media. Viewers from warmer places like India watched in amazement, commenting how they’d never seen such cold.
Impacts on Daily Life in Minneapolis
The cold didn’t just make fun videos; it disrupted life. Schools across Minnesota closed on Friday. Parents kept kids home, avoiding the risk of buses breaking down or children waiting in the freeze. “We can’t risk the safety of our students,” said a spokesperson from Minneapolis Public Schools. Roads turned into ice rinks. Cars slid, accidents rose, and salt trucks worked overtime. The Minnesota Department of Transportation warned drivers to stay off roads if possible.
Hospitals saw more cases of frostbite and hypothermia. Doctors reminded people to layer up, cover skin, and check on elders. One doctor at Hennepin Healthcare said, “In this cold, your body loses heat fast. Frostbite starts with numbness, then pain.” Homeless shelters filled up, with extra beds opened. Volunteers handed out blankets and hot drinks. The cold also hit animals. Pet owners were told to bring dogs and cats inside, as paws could freeze in minutes.
Power companies prepared for outages. Cold can snap lines or overload systems when everyone cranks up heat. In some areas, blackouts happened, leaving homes dark and cold. “We’re monitoring closely,” said an Xcel Energy official. The economy took a hit too. Businesses closed early, flights delayed at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, and workers stayed home. Farmers worried about livestock, rushing to insulate barns.
This cold wave stretched beyond Minnesota. Chicago felt minus 30 wind chills, and even Texas saw ice. The whole Midwest shivered under the polar vortex. Forecasters predicted the deep freeze would ease by Saturday, with temps rising to near zero. A thaw was expected mid-week, bringing relief but also flood risks from melting snow.
Health and Safety Warnings During the Arctic Blast
Health experts stressed the dangers. Frostbite happens when skin freezes, damaging tissues. In minus 45 wind chill, it takes less than 10 minutes. Signs include white or gray skin, numbness, and blisters. Hypothermia is worse: when body temp drops below 95 degrees, causing shivering, confusion, and even death if not treated. “Dress in layers, limit time outside,” advised the National Weather Service.
For drivers, black ice was a big threat. It looks like wet road but is slippery. “Slow down, keep distance,” said highway patrol. Home tips included letting faucets drip to prevent pipes freezing, and sealing windows. Energy experts suggested setting thermostats to 68 degrees to save power.
Jennifer McDermed added her voice: “This cold is no joke. Stay safe, stay warm.” Her demo wasn’t just show; it educated people on the real chill factor. Wind chill measures how wind strips heat from your body, making it feel colder. At minus 45, it’s deadly.
Historical Context of Polar Vortex Events
This isn’t the first time the polar vortex hit hard. In 2014, it brought record lows to the US, with Chicago at minus 16. In 2019, Minneapolis saw minus 28, and boiling water tricks went viral. Each time, the vortex stretched south. Scientists link it to Arctic warming, which is twice as fast as the global average. “Warmer Arctic means weaker vortex,” explained Michael Mann, a climate scientist.
In 2026, the event came after a mild start to winter. Then, stratospheric warming disrupted the vortex, sending cold plunging south. Forecasters saw it coming, issuing warnings days ahead. This helped, but the cold still caught many off guard.
How Climate Change Plays a Role
Some say cold waves contradict global warming, but experts disagree. “Warming can lead to more extreme weather,” said Cohen. The Arctic loses ice, heating the air and weakening the vortex. This makes cold spills more likely. A study in Nature noted wavier jet streams from climate change. So, while the planet warms, places like Minneapolis get harsher winters sometimes.
In India, where winters are milder, this news fascinates. People in Jaipur, with temps around 15 degrees Celsius, imagine the freeze. It reminds us weather connects the world.
Recovery and Future Outlook
As the cold eases, cleanup begins. Roads will be salted, schools reopen, and life returns. But forecasters warn of another possible blast in February. “Stay prepared,” said McDermed. Communities build resilience with better warnings and aid.
This event shows nature’s power. A simple spaghetti demo captured it, but the story is about people enduring the cold together.
FAQs
What is a polar vortex?
A polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air around the North Pole. It spins like a whirlwind high in the sky. When it weakens or stretches, cold air moves south to places like the US. In January 2026, it stretched due to warming above, bringing Arctic cold to Minnesota. This causes extreme lows, like the minus 21 in Minneapolis. It’s natural but might happen more due to climate change weakening the barriers that keep cold in.
How cold was it in Minneapolis during this blast?
The air temperature dropped to minus 21 degrees Fahrenheit on January 23, 2026. Wind chills made it feel like minus 45 degrees. In some parts of Minnesota, wind chills hit minus 63. This cold lasted from Thursday to Saturday, with a slow warm-up after. It’s one of the coldest since 2019.
What are the risks of such cold weather?
Main risks are frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite freezes skin in minutes on exposed parts like fingers or nose. Hypothermia drops body heat, leading to shivering and confusion. Slippery roads cause accidents. Pipes can burst, power can fail. Pets and old people are most at risk. Always cover up and stay inside.
Why did Jennifer McDermed freeze spaghetti?
She did it to show how fast things freeze in the cold. Hot spaghetti stiffens mid-air because heat escapes quickly. It’s a fun way to explain the danger. Her video warned people to take the cold seriously and limit time outside.
How long will the cold last?
The deep freeze ends by Saturday, January 25, 2026. Temps rise to near zero, then thaw mid-week. But watch for refreeze and possible snow. Forecasters say another cold snap might come in February.
What safety tips should I follow in extreme cold?
Dress in layers: base, insulating, and waterproof. Cover head, hands, feet. Limit outdoor time to 10-15 minutes. Drink warm fluids, eat well. Check on neighbors. For homes, insulate pipes, have emergency kits with blankets and food. Drive slow on ice.
Is this cold linked to climate change?
Yes, possibly. Warming in the Arctic weakens the polar vortex, making it stretch more. This lets cold air spill south. While the world gets warmer, some areas get extreme cold snaps. Experts say it’s part of bigger weather changes.