Below minimum environmental storage temperature?

Last week I was priviledged to have my computer with me when the temperature was about -35F.

Knowing not to operate the computer in temperatures below zero, I waited until things warmed up to above zero (myself included) and started up the computer - initial FanGUI HDD temp was 1 .  There weren't any problems at all except the screen was a bit dimmer than usual for a couple of minutes.  It was interesting to see the CPU temp. hover in the low double digits.

I then checked out Dell's suggested environmental storage conditions which were available to me via the user's guide on the system and it states that the minimum environmental storage temperature is -40F.  My question is: 

What happens to things at (around/below) that temperature that will cause permanent damage to the system?

LCD expansion and cracking was the only thing that I could think of.

I expect to be in a similar situation several times this winter, and the temperature will most likely reach or dip below this 'critical' temperature, so I am curious what I may be in for.

Thanks.