17 January 2010

On this day in history: Cold Sunday, 1982

On 17th January 1982 much of the United States experienced the coldest temperatures since records began. A high pressure system of Arctic proportions formed over the Canadian province of Saskatchewan where recent snowfall had left the land with no way to retain its heat. Consequently temperatures plummeted creating a mass of cold air that moved south across the US on what became known as "Cold Sunday."

Meteorologists measured record low temperatures the length of the country. These included temperatures of −27°F (−33°C) in Chicago, −26°F (−32°C) in Milwaukee, −5°F (−21°C) in Washington, DC and −2°F (−19°C) in Birmingham, Alabama. The lowest temperature of −52°F (−47°C) was recorded near Tower, Minnesota.

US National Weather Service: High and Low temperature map (Fahrenheit)

Related posts
The Great Storm: 26th November 1703
The Great Hurricane: 10th October 1780

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2 comments:

  1. Sharkbytes17 January 2010 at 13:24

    This past summer I hiked through Embarrass, MN, which is just one town over from Tower. Embarrass has the all time record low (although Tower got the "official" nod because the guy that was supposed to certify the Embarrass thermometer didn't show up on time). They recorded -64 F on February 2, 1996. Now that's COLD

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  2. Borkiman19 January 2010 at 12:39

    That is indeed a bit parky (as we Brits say). Thanks for the comment.

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