Even RV antifreeze freezes

[John K.]

Pconroy: The NWS archives show the coldest temperatures (not wind chill) in any January were -24 in 1982, and -26 in both 1985 and 1994, in Beloit, WI. I remember the 1994 assault: here in Kenosha, we had -50 with wind chill. I was supposed to take the kids to Sauk City for eagle watching for the first time (they were 4 and 9), but my wife ended up out of town, leaving me with the older minivan, and I wasn't about to take two youngsters by myself and drive 3.5 hours one way in that car in that cold! Never been in anything colder.

[Stingray75]

Too cold to snow - the dry time of winter

[NVGun40]

Here we often find it humorous where and how "record lows" are recorded. There are often incidents of differing degrees (web searches often do not allow for local non meteorological certified temps to be recorded for record purposes). I remember news networks back in 2008 (I think) making a big deal about a town in mid Minnesota (where my mother grew up) having a record cold somewhere in the neighborhood of -42. The headlines were "Coldest Place In The Nation". Meanwhile, where I was at that moment, the temp was -55. I guess Alaska is not part of the nation.
There is a Standing tradition at University of Fairbanks for students to have pictures taken in extreme colds while dressed in swimsuits. This is today's picture.



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[oldmanAZ]

The photo looks like Flagstaff, AZ... except Flagstaff is about 80 deg warmer (25*F).

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by John K.

Pconroy: The NWS archives show the coldest temperatures (not wind chill) in any January were -24 in 1982, and -26 in both 1985 and 1994, in Beloit, WI.

awwwwww

i like my "facts" better!

[RPreeb]

All I can add is that bank temperature displays are notorious for being wrong. sometimes wildly wrong. That may not be the case here, but a lot of evidence seems to point toward that being something of an exaggeration.

I lived in Montana for 9 years, and I saw -45° in Great Falls. Near the top of Roger's Pass on Hwy 200 was a sign stating that it was the record cold spot in the lower 48 at -70°, and that was set back in 1869.

Since leaving Montana in 1973, the coldest I've seen is around -15° (if we get -3° or -4° that's pretty extreme here), and even that was brief. Most arctic cold fronts just "bump" Colorado, stall out against the mountains and then slide off to the east. One of the best things about living in eastern Colorado is that we get enough winter to keep life interesting, but the cold usually only lasts 2 or 3 days, then it's back up in the low 40's. In the heart of winter in January we will usually get some sort of a cold snap, and it can last for up to a week without a real break, but it takes some unusual cold fronts stacked on top of each other coming down from Canada to prolong it like that.

I'm more than happy to let the OP have his frigid winters - I don't want them and wouldn't even consider living where they occur.

Edit: According to Wikipedia, Roger's Pass, Montana also recorded -70° on January 20, 1954.

[JFlightRisk]

The skinny guy doesn't look as happy as his buddy!

[Nukeneck]

NVGun40, why again do you live there???

[NVGun40]

An official wet bulb temperature reading four miles from the Tesoro/liquor store that day came in at -68. So as one poster said, the Tesoro sign could be off a bit.
However, once the temperature drops below -30, you really won't notice much difference unless the wind is blowing hard.
I have been out on the trail on a snowmachine, in -52. The coldest temp I had a TT out in was a Caribou hunt; we hit -32 one night.
Many people here utilize plug in engine block heaters and electric battery blankets.

Nukeneck: I live here for the hunting, fishing, and wide wide outdoors. I am happiest when I am out in nature.


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[SecretCoveDave]

NVGun40, I've been in almost all of the places on the cold list, but I think I'll give that Prospect place a pass. I remember stepping outside into -57 and thinking if you screw up in this it will not be good.
Dave