Think It’s Too Hot? Remember Rochester’s Worst Winter

Stop praying for 50-degree weather.

Look, I get it. It’s September, we’re sweating through our shirts, and we are all completely over it. We are ready for sweater weather, crisp morning air, and bonfire nights, not an air conditioner working overtime.

The complaints are totally justified. But before we officially wish away the sun, we need a quick reality check. Because if living in Minnesota has taught us anything, it's be careful what you wish for, Mother Nature has a wicked sense of humor.

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Prime example: If you were around Rochester during the winter of 2018–2019, you already know where my brain is going with this.

Two words: Polar Vortex.

Suddenly, a little September sweat doesn't sound half bad, does it?

That winter wasn't just cold, it was downright brutal. By late January, a wave of bitter cold moved into Southeast Minnesota and refused to leave... For what felt like an eternity.

Aaron Galloway

Rochester dipped below zero on 28 different days that season, according to National Weather Forecast. Late January brought a sub-zero streak so long that schools locked up, businesses closed down, and even the mail stopped getting delivered.

Then came the wind chills, plunging into that nightmare -30 to -60 range. On January 30th, our high temp (yes, HIGH) was a miserable -19, followed by a -30 morning low the next day - the coldest reading here in over 20 years. At 4 AM that morning, RST clocked a wind chill of 61 below zero. I'm cold to the core just thinking about it.

Add in more than five feet of snow that season, and you have the exact kind of winter trauma that makes a 90-degree afternoon feel like an absolute gift.

Aaron Galloway

So go ahead and vent about the heat. I’m right there with you. But personally? I’m going to soak up every last sunny, sweaty day we have left.

Also See: When Minnesota is Expected to See the First Frost of 2026

Because eventually, Minnesota is going to do what Minnesota does best. And when we’re shoveling ourselves out of the driveway for the third time in a week, we’re all going to be begging for this heat back.