International Falls May Have Competition For Coldest Town

Did you know there have actually been legal battles over which town gets to call itself the Icebox of the Nation? International Falls, Minnesota, legally claimed the title in 2008. Two other towns, Fraser, Colorado, and Big Piney, Wyoming, also call themselves the Icebox of the Nation. However, there's a place in Minnesota that consistently gets colder than any of these places, and it doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

The Embarrass Valley: 'The Cold Spot'

The coldest recorded temperature in the history of Minnesota was recorded in Embarrass Valley in 1996. It reached 60F overnight, as the frigid air settled into the valley, causing the temperature to plummet. The official temperature was taken in Tower, Minnesota.

Meanwhile, on that day, International Falls was also incredibly cold, but it didn't set the record. I-Falls got to -45F, a full 15 degrees 'warmer' than Tower.

Why Is It So Cold In Embarrass?

Embarrass is frequently the coldest spot in the state. The town sits in the Embarrass Valley, which is a region that is bordered by the Vermilion Range and the Laurentian Divide. The natural barrier creates a pocket where cold air settles, causing it to be the coldest spot in the state.

Other towns in the Embarrass valley include Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, Biwabik, Babbitt, and Tower.