Fans coming for Super Bowl hit by bitter cold

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (KMSP) - Visitors for the Super Bowl arriving at the airport are getting their first taste of what freezing flesh feels like.

Just a few seconds into single digits, a group of Philadelphia Eagles fans from Mexico were wishing for the warmth of Cancun, but told Fox 9 they’re optimistic. 

Meanwhile, opening day of the ice maze outside of the Minneapolis Institute of Art gave those familiar with the frigid weather another twist and turn from Mother Nature.  

According to Fox 9 meteorologist Ian Leonard, statistically over the last three winters, temperatures have been at or slightly above average.

This rollercoaster season has already included regional temps 20 to 30 degrees below average from Christmas to New Year’s Day, later followed by a couple of heat waves. 

“Then all of a sudden, the snow starts falling,” said Leonard. “We end up getting the 10th largest amount of snow for January, tying what we got in January in 1998. We end up with over 20 inches of snow.”

Whether you are used to the cold or not, extreme cold and the dangers that come with it must be respected. Through Monday, there is the potential for frostbite in 15 minutes or less.