Ask The Answer Person: "Is this really 'the coldest temperatures in a generation'?"

Posted: Thu, Jan 31, 2019 8:13 AM

(Steve e-mails: "Note the low temperature record for January 16, 2009 of minus 34 degrees. Why is this not being reported anywhere? Is it because it contradicts the "coldest weather in a generation" narrative?"):

The Answer Person says: "You're absolutely right that cold weather is common in the Midwest! In fact, while it has been VERY cold the last two days, the low temperatures didn't set any records! Here--courtesy of Decorah meteorologist Richard Bernatz, is the record low temperature for every day in January in Decorah:

1st: -27 in 1947
2nd: -25 in 1979
3rd: -24 in 2010
4th: -36 in 1942
5th: -28 in 1924
6th: -33 in 1988
7th: -37 in 1912
8th: -27 in 1942
9th: -26 in 1988
10th: -30 in 1942
11th: -26 in 1977
12th: -37 in 1912
13th: -29 in 1912
14th: -24 in 1924
15th: -39 in 1963
16th: -34 in 2009
17th: -29 in 1924
18th: -35 in 1967
19th: -31 in 1994
20th: -36 in 1994
21st: -32 in 1970
22nd: -37 in 1930
23rd: -30 in 1937
24th: -32 in 1936
25th: -30 in 1936
26th: -31 in 1930
27th: -31 in 1904
28th: -31 in 1915
29th: -30 in 1965
30th: -43 in 1951
31st: -37 in 1996