The winter of 1976-77: the temperature did not get above freezing

WGN ^ | 1/4/21 | Tom Skilling

[DallasBiff]

Dear Tom,

In the winter of 1976-77 there were 43 consecutive days where the temperature did not get above freezing. Any details?

Thanks, Bob Moser Oak Park

Dear Bob,

Here are the hard, cold facts. In 1976, the temperature dropped below freezing at 1 p.m. on Dec. 27 and remained below freezing for 1,053 consecutive hours before reaching 32 degrees at 10 a.m. on Feb. 9, 1977. That streak translated into 43 days and 21 subfreezing hours. The highest temperatures observed during that prolonged cold spell were a trio of 31-degree highs on Feb. 2-4. There were also 17 days with subzero low temperatures during that period. The coldest day was Jan. 16 with a high of minus 7 and a low of minus 19. The streak finally ended with a flourish of warmth on Feb. 9, with a high of 42 degrees, 47 the next day and a “balmy” 53 on Feb. 11.

[dznutz]

Yep, he was in the same prison as Rod Blagojevich.

[Keyhopper]

January 19th 1977, it snowed in Miami

[fwdude]

Supposed to be in the 70s here by Monday.

Yeah, I'm used to crazy Texas weather. This was actually a good sequence of events. The recent heavy rainfall about a week ago soaked the ground, which is usually dry this time of year. A subsequent good freeze actually helps to break up hard-packed soil by the moisture freeze expansion. The moisture also protects delicate roots of plants not used to extreme cold.

[Augie]

Nice day if you’re a polar bear or an iceberg.

Truck said -6° when I left the house this morning.

Weather guessers say we’ll see temps in the 50°s by Monday.

It’s just a normal Misery February.