Extreme Minneapolis cold turns hot pasta into ice within seconds as polar vortex tightens grip
Minneapolis residents woke up to a bone-chilling surprise this week as temperatures plunged so low that even steaming hot spaghetti froze before it hit the ground.
In a stunning demonstration of just how brutal the Arctic blast has become, former FOX 9 meteorologist Jennifer McDermed tossed freshly cooked spaghetti into the air only to watch it instantly solidify mid-flight. The eye-catching moment, captured on video, has since gone viral across social media, leaving viewers both fascinated and alarmed by the intensity of the cold.
With morning temperatures hovering around minus 21 degrees Fahrenheit and wind chills making it feel closer to minus 39, the Twin Cities experienced one of the harshest winter spells of the season.
The frozen pasta wasn’t just a quirky science trick it was a stark visual reminder of how dangerously cold the air has become.
A Simple Experiment That Shocked Thousands
The now-viral clip shows McDermed stepping outside with a bowl of steaming spaghetti. Within seconds of throwing the noodles upward, the pasta hardens and falls like icy shards instead of soft strands.
“It freezes almost instantly,” she explains in the video, visibly surprised by how quickly the transformation happens.
The science behind the spectacle is simple but powerful. In extremely cold, dry air, moisture evaporates rapidly. That evaporation pulls heat away so quickly that hot water or wet foods freeze almost immediately a phenomenon sometimes compared to the “Mpemba effect,” where hot substances freeze faster than cooler ones under certain conditions.
Still, seeing a plate of dinner turn into ice mid-air made the cold feel very real.
Why Minneapolis Is Facing Such Severe Cold
Meteorologists say the freezing temperatures are linked to a strong polar vortex system that has pushed Arctic air deep into the central United States.
This weather pattern allows frigid air, usually trapped near the North Pole, to spill southward. When it does, cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, and parts of the Midwest experience dangerous cold snaps that can last days or even weeks.
Experts reported:
- Temperatures dropping below −20°F
- Wind chills reaching −35°F to −40°F
- Increased frostbite risk within minutes
- Hazardous travel conditions
At these levels, exposed skin can freeze in less than 10 minutes.
“It’s not just uncomfortable it’s dangerous,” local weather officials warned.
More Than Just a Viral Moment
While the frozen spaghetti video grabbed headlines, the cold has serious consequences beyond social media entertainment.
Schools delayed openings. Public transport faced disruptions. Homeless shelters filled quickly as people sought warmth. Emergency services responded to a rise in weather-related calls.
Residents reported:
- Dead car batteries
- Frozen pipes
- Slippery roads
- Heating system failures
Utility companies also urged households to conserve energy to prevent grid strain.
For many, the novelty of frozen food experiments quickly gave way to the reality of surviving the cold safely.
A Farewell to Minnesota Winters
For McDermed, the spaghetti demonstration carried a personal meaning as well. The meteorologist shared that the video marked her farewell to Minnesota winters before relocating to California.
After years of reporting on snowstorms, blizzards, and deep freezes, this icy send-off felt symbolic.
“Only in Minnesota can you throw spaghetti and watch it freeze,” one viewer commented online.
The moment resonated with longtime residents who know the extremes of Midwest winters all too well.
The Science Behind Food Freezing Mid-Air
So how exactly does spaghetti freeze so fast?
Here’s what happens:
1. The pasta is hot and full of moisture
2. Subzero air rapidly pulls heat away
3. Water evaporates instantly
4. Remaining moisture crystallizes into ice
Low humidity plays a key role. Dry air accelerates evaporation, which speeds up freezing.
Meteorologists often demonstrate this effect by tossing boiling water into the air, where it turns into snow-like mist. Spaghetti simply provides a more dramatic visual.
“It’s essentially flash freezing,” weather experts explain.
How Residents Can Stay Safe During Arctic Blasts
Officials are reminding people that extreme cold is not just uncomfortable it can be life-threatening.
Safety tips include:
- Dress in layers
- Cover exposed skin
- Limit outdoor time
- Keep emergency kits in cars
- Check on elderly neighbors
- Let faucets drip to prevent frozen pipes
- Frostbite or hypothermia can result from even brief exposure.
Meteorologists advise treating these conditions with the same seriousness as heatwaves or hurricanes.
Climate Trends and Winter Extremes
Interestingly, scientists note that while global temperatures are rising overall, extreme cold events can still occur.
Some research suggests that changes in Arctic warming may actually disrupt the polar vortex, sending bursts of cold air further south more often.
That means intense winter events like this could become more unpredictable in the future.
So while frozen spaghetti might seem like a novelty today, such extreme conditions could remain part of winter life in the Midwest.
A Cold Reminder of Nature’s Power
As Minneapolis battles the icy grip of this Arctic blast, one thing is clear nature doesn’t need special effects to amaze people.
Sometimes, all it takes is a bowl of hot pasta and air cold enough to turn dinner into ice.
The viral moment may have sparked curiosity and laughs online, but it also served as a powerful visual warning: when temperatures drop this low, the cold is no joke.
For now, residents are bundling up, staying indoors, and waiting for the next warm front to arrive.
Until then, Minneapolis remains frozen quite literally.
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