Making National Headlines…..for cold

Interesting sequence of news about International Falls, Minnesota. Over the weekend it was revealed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that this city has been granted the official title of the "Nation's Icebox." Bragging rights for the people of northern Minnesota are official now! Nearly simultaneously, the Monday morning National Weather Service headlines feature International Falls as the coldest spot in the lower 48 states with a reading of -40 degrees F. Well, actually tied for the coldest with Embarrass which also registered -40 degrees F Monday morning. Atmospheric pressure from the arctic air mass peaked at 30.58 inches coinciding with the minimum air temperature. This is the first time since January 31st that Minnesota has reported the coldest temperature in the 48 contiguous states (of course we don't compete with interior Alaska this time of year where it is -50 F or colder). In January, Minnesota held this distinction 4 times. We'll see how many times we can do it this month.