My family (Dad's side) is from Nipigon, Ontario, northeast of Thunder Bay - northern tip of Lake Superior. That question has been answered experimentally - yes it does freeze before hitting the ground. I went visitng family in christmas of 1991 with a similar cold snap. Nobody cared up there. It was cold, but it was no excuse. Salt wouldn't melt ice. Computer chips in cars all cracked from the cold. I rented a New Yorker and the climate control died it was so cold. Cousin in law worked maintenance for the local ski lodge. Had to fix, with his bare hand, chair lifts in that cold weather. Humans, with adequate clothing can live and function in such a climate. It also explains all the heavy drinking and reproductive activities - to cold to have fun any other way.
I just talked to a guy from Saskatoon last week. He mentioned it was 68 below zero where he was.