1984 — Jan 17-22, Coldwave and snowstorms, especially West, Midwest, Northeast –63-65
–63-65 Blanchard tally based on 26 State and DC breakouts below (high-end of range).
— 56 UPI. “Ice Sheaths Much of Nation.” Courier-Express, DuBois, PA, 1-24-1984, p. 1.
—>53 UPI. “Cold out, freezing rain in.” Daily Press, Escanaba, MI, 1-24-1984, p. 5.
—>50 UPI. “Flooding is threat of warmer weather.” Crescent-News, Defiance, OH, 1-23-1984, 14.
— 46 Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA. “Ice causes accidents across U.S.” 1-24-1984, 3B.
— 44 Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Cold Snap Blamed for 44 Deaths…” 1-23-1984, p. 1.
— 30 AP. “Alamosa coldest in nation frozen by Arctic air mass.” Gazette Telegraph, CO, 1-22-1984, A4.
— 28 AP. “Big chill takes toll; 28 dead.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 1-21-1984, A4.[1]
—>27 Sandusky Register, OH. “Weather…Nation.” 1-21-1984, A-6.[2]
–>25 UPI. “Freezing temperatures hit U.S.; only Hawaii spared.” Daily Press, Escanaba MI, 1-21-1983, 5A.[3]
—>22 UPI. “Arctic air ices nation; death toll at 22, rising.” Altoona Mirror, PA, 1-20-1984, p.1.[4]
— 20 AP. “Killer cold hits most of nation.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 1-20-1984, A4.
—>18 AP. “Bitter cold grips the nation; no state escapes…” The Telegraph, Nashua, NH, 1-20-1984, 31.[5]
—>12 Associated Press. “Frigid blast sets record lows.” Joplin Globe, MO, 1-20-1984, p. 1.
— >8 UPI. “Mercury may dip to minus 10.” Sandusky Register, OH, 1-19-1984, p. 1.[6]
Summary of Winter Weather Fatalities by State
Colorado ( 1) Massachusetts( 2) Oregon ( 1)
Delaware (3-4) Missouri ( 1) Pennsylvania (>11)
Illinois ( 1) Montana ( 9) Tennessee ( 1)
Indiana ( 1) Nebraska ( 1) Utah (4-5)
Iowa ( 1) New Jersey ( 5) Virginia ( 1)
Kansas ( 1) New Mexico ( 2) Washington ( 2)
Kentucky ( 1) New York ( 4) Washington, DC ( 1)
Maine ( 2) Ohio ( 1) Wisconsin ( 2)
Maryland ( 3) Oklahoma ( 1)
Summary of Causes of Death
— 3 Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
–17 Exposure/Hypothermia
— 4 Fire
— 4 Heart attacks related to snow removal and exertion in extreme cold
— 4 Sledding Accidents
–28 Vehicular
— 5 Not noted
Breakout of Winter Weather Fatalities by State and Locality (where noted):
Colorado ( 1)
–1 Weld County, Jan 18. Exposure; after falling down outside his home; elderly male. NCDC, 6.
Delaware (3-4)
–4 UPI. “Arctic air ices nation; death toll at 22, rising.” Altoona Mirror, PA, 1-20-1984, p. 1.
–3 AP. “Frigid temperatures paralyze Northeast.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA, 1-21-1984, p.1.
–1 Delaware City, Jan 18. Woman. 37, loses control of car on icy bridge; hits oncoming pickup.[7]
–1 Newark area, Jan 20. Sledding accident; sled hit by car; Clifford Scott, 58.[8]
–1 Location not noted, Jan 19. “Traffic accident on icy highway…”[9]
District of Columbia ( 1)
–1 Jan 20. Exposure; man found dead in a snowdrift. NCDC. Storm Data, 26/1, p. 7.
Illinois ( 1)
–1 Chicago, Jan 19. Exposure; found dead in North Side alley; James Quiver, 56.[10]
Indiana ( 1)
–1 Seymour, Jan 23. “…woman [Nina Scott] fatally injured on an icy road in Indiana…”[11]
Iowa ( 1)
–1 Dubuque, Jan 20. Hit by car while trying to jump start car stalled in -14° weather; male, 18.[12]
Kansas ( 1)
–1 Narka area, Jan 17. Apparent exposure/heart attack; pickup stuck in snow; tried walking for help.[13]
Kentucky ( 1)
–1 Howardstown area, Jan 19. Hypothermia after truck became stuck in snow; below zero temp.[14]
Maine ( 2)
–2 UPI. “Arctic air ices nation; death toll at 22, rising.” Altoona Mirror, PA, 1-20-1984, p. 1.
Maryland ( 3)
–3 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–2 AP. “Frigid temperatures paralyze Northeast.” Indiana Gazette, PA, 1-21-1984, p. 1.
–2 Cambridge, Jan 20. Car skidded on ice on Choptank River Bridge, hits vehicle.[15]
–1 Woodlawn area, body found partially buried by snow Jan 19. Apparent exposure? Lightly clad.[16]
Massachusetts ( 2)
–2 UPI. “Arctic air ices nation; death toll at 22, rising.” Altoona Mirror, PA, 1-20-1984, p. 1.
Missouri ( 1)
–1 St. Louis, Jan 19. Exposure; resident of home for elderly poor found frozen on fire escape.[17]
Montana ( 9)
–9 West Glacier area (22 miles SE of), Jan 21. HS School bus collision with fuel tanker; icy road.[18]
Nebraska ( 1)
–1 Omaha, Jan 19. CO poisoning from charcoal grill used for heat in bathroom; male.[19]
New Jersey ( 5)
–5 Locations not noted, Jan 19. “Traffic accidents on icy highways…”[20]
–2 UPI. “Arctic air ices nation; death toll at 22, rising.” Altoona Mirror, PA, 1-20-1984, p. 1.
–1 Jackson Township, Jan 22. Male, 24, on refrigerator door towed by vehicle hits parked car.[21]
–1 West Deptford, Jan 18. Six-car pileup on “snow-slick” I-295; man.[22]
New Mexico ( 2)
–2 Las Vegas, San Miguel Co., ~Jan 19/20. CO Poisoning; car stuck in snowbank along river.[23]
New York ( 4)
–1 Onondaga, Jan 20. Exposure; nursing home resident wanders away; John Carey, 75.[24]
–1 Setauket, Jan 22. Youths sliding downhill on serving trays collide; one fatally injured.[25]
–1 Watertown, Jan 21. Exposure; body found near back door of his home; Richard Fitzgerald, 65.[26]
–1 Location not noted, by Jan 23. One of three reported NY exposure deaths.[27]
Ohio ( 1)
–1 Locale not noted, Jan 19-22. Exposure; female, 72; makeshift home made from chicken coop.[28]
Oklahoma ( 1)
–1 Tulsa, Jan 17. Weather-related traffic accident (one of 125).[29] During snowstorm.[30]
Oregon ( 1)
–1 Polk County, OR-18, Jan 20. Vehicle on icy road collides with truck; Tracey Lynn Gresham, 19.[31]
Pennsylvania (>11)
— 1 Climax, Jan 19. “Sledding” accident; inner tube goes into path of pickup; James H. Barkley, 17.[32]
—>3 Eastern PA, Jan 18-19. Heart attacks while removing snow. NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, 9.[33]
— 1 Pittsburgh, Jan 18. Drowning; car skids off embankment into Monongahela in snowstorm.[34]
— 2 Tionesta area, Rt. 62, Jan 19. Car skids on snow covered road into path of truck; a couple.[35]
— 2 Locations not noted, Jan 19. Exposure.[36]
— 2 Locations not noted, Jan 19. “Traffic accidents on icy highways.”[37]
Tennessee ( 1)
–1 McKenzie, Jan 22. Exposure; unheated home; temps around 1°; man. Storm Data, 26/1, 10.
Utah (4-5)
–5 Sandusky Register, OH. “Weather…Nation.” 1-21-1984, A-6
–4 Trenton, Jan 18. Fire; mother/3 children “sleeping huddled around a gas furnace” in bedroom wall.[38]
Virginia ( 1)
–1 Mint Springs Valley, Crozet area, Jan 21. Exposure walking home from father’s home; 1°.[39]
Washington ( 2)
–2 Pomeroy area, WA-127, Jan 21. UO wrestling team van slides on icy/snowy road, downhill curve.[40]
Wisconsin ( 2)
–2 UPI. “Arctic air ices nation; death toll at 22, rising.” Altoona Mirror, PA, 1-20-1984, p. 1.
–2 Milwaukee, Jan 20. Exposure. NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 11.
–1 Jan 19. Exposure; heatless home, 12 below outdoor temperatures; female, 84.[41]
–1 Jan 19. Exposure, “a drifter was found frozen in a warehouse.”[42] Henry Woytasik.[43]
Narrative Information by State
NCDC on Colorado, Jan 18: “This was the coldest morning of the winter at many spots in Colorado. Many cities recorded record low temperatures, including -19 at Denver; -20 at Colorado Springs; and -28 at Fort Collins. It was even colder in northwestern Colorado. Official readings there included -51 at Maybell and -44 at Craig; an unofficial temperature of 52 below zero was observed two miles east of Craig. In Weld County, an elderly man froze to death after falling outside his home.” (NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 6.)
NCDC on Indiana, Jan 19-20: “Extreme cold with wind chill readings of 45 to 50 below zero. Four known cases of frostbite.” (NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 6.)
NCDC on Nelson County, Kentucky, Jan 19: “John B. Woods Jr., 45, of New Haven was found on the roadside of KY 84 about 7 miles east of Howardstown. The cause of death was hypothermia. Mr. Woods was found face down in the snow, twenty feet from his truck that had become stuck in the snow and mud. Temperatures at that time in the area averaged 22 degrees below zero.” (NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 7.)
NCDC on Maryland and DC, Jan 20-23: “A large mass of high pressure gripped the area and brought some of the lowest temperatures of record. On the morning of the 22nd Baltimore-Washington International Airport had a 4 below zero reading and Dulles Airport minus 18 degrees. One death due to exposure occurred in Washington, D.C., where a man was found in a snowdrift on the 20th.” (NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 7.)
NCDC on Western North Carolina, Jan 18: “The second ice storm within a week concentrated its efforts upon the western third of the state, as sleet and freezing rain made driving very hazardous….” (NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 8.)
NCDC on Ohio, Jan 19-22: “Record low temperatures were recorded in many areas of Ohio on the 20th and 21st. Temperatures fell to 20 to 25 below zero in several locations. There were several reports of problems due to the cold, especially frozen and burst water lines. A 72 year old woman froze to death in a makeshift home made out of a chicken coop.” (NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 8.)
NCDC on Northern Oklahoma, Jan 18: “Near all-time record low temperatures for the state occurred with the panhandle and northeast reporting temperatures of minus 21 degrees. Numerous water pipes and meters froze.” (NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 8.)
NCDC on Eastern Pennsylvania, Jan 18-19: “A snow storm which brought some snow to all of Eastern Pennsylvania gave the heaviest amounts to southeast sections. Southeast sections had accumulations of 6 to 8 inches while the southwest to northeast portion had 3 to 6 inches and only about 2 inches fell over the northwest. As usual, slippery roadways resulted in many accidents with accompanying injuries. There also were a few deaths to persons collapsing while engaged in snow removal.” (NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 9.)
NCDC on Eastern Pennsylvania, Jan 20-23: “Arctic air moved over Eastern Pennsylvania bringing below zero readings in the mornings to most of the area. Some of the coldest temperatures reported during this period were: 25 below at Turbotville, Northumberland County; 24 below at Pleasant Mount, Wayne County; 23 below at Landisville, Lancaster County, and Tobyhanna, Monroe County; 22 below at Mildred, Sullivan County, New Columbia, Northumberland County and English Center, Tioga County. Following are some of the known records that were set. New record low temperatures for the date: Harrisburg 4 below on the 21st and 9 below on the 22nd, Williamsport 11 below on the 21st and 13 below on the 22nd, at Wilkes-Barre 11 below on the 21st and 11 below on the 22nd, at Philadelphia 3 below on the 20th and 7 below on the 22nd. At Philadelphia the temperature fell to 3 below on the 20th, 3 below on the 21st and 7 below on the 22nd equaling the record for the most days with below zero readings in January and also for the winter season. The 7 below reading equaled the record for the lowest temperature in January. The cold weather resulted in many frozen and burst pipes including some water mains. Although hospitals did treat some people for frost bite, the exact number was not available. One woman was found frozen in a vacant building, but information on the cause of death is not available.” (NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 9.)
NCDC on Tennessee, Jan 19-23: “The winter storm which brought the snow on the 17th and 18th ushered in a period of several days of extremely cold weather. New record low temperatures were set at several locations including:
Date 20 21
Location
Memphis 9 (tied old record)
Nashville -3 -5
Chattanooga 8.” (NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 10.)
NCDC on northern half of Virginia, Jan 18: “A cold front, accompanied by a weak low pressure development, brought a fairly extensive snow covering over the northern half of the state. Amounts ranged from 2 to 5 inches generally, with up to 8 inches reported over portions of the northern Shenandoah Valley.” (NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 10.)
NCDC on West Virginia, Jan 18: “A snowstorm moved across the state on January 18 dropping an average of 3-7 inches of snow with peaks up to 10 inches in the higher elevations. The storm was the cause of several traffic accidents. At Raleigh County Airport, a twin-engine airplane slid off a snow-covered runway during an aborted take-off.” (NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 10.)
NCDC on Wisconsin, Jan 17-23: “An Arctic air mass settled over the state resulting in sub zero temperatures as well as wind chill factors in the 35 to 58 below zero range. 2 people died in Milwaukee as a result of exposure to the cold on the 20th. The coldest temperatures were noted on the morning of the 20th when Lake Thompson in Oneida county recorded a minus 39. A number of low temperature records were either tied or broken throughout the state during the cold snap. Several cases of frostbite were reported as well as numerous water main breaks and vehicle failures.” (NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 11.)
Narrative Information, Chronological:
Jan 17: “Cold arctic air blew into the state [KS] during the night dropping temperatures below zero in some areas. Mostly steady or slowly falling temperatures were forecast during the day, with highs expected to range from 10 to 15. Lows tonight were expected to range from zero to 10 below.” (Associated Press. “Across Kansas.” Garden City Telegram, KS. 1-17-1984, p. 2.)
Jan 18: “A dangerous winter storm spread up to half a foot of snow today from New Mexico to New York, closing schools and causing scores of accidents, while a blast of Siberian cold pushed temperatures to record sub-zero lows in the Rockies and upper Midwest. In Colorado, where it was as much as 40 degrees below zero in places, temperatures were 30 to 40 degrees colder than in all of Alaska. At least one death was blamed on the snowstorm which by mid-morning had reached the Eastern cities of Washington, Philadelphia and New York, where up to 9 inches of snow was expected. Several school systems in the Washington area were closing early and National Airport was shut down until at least noon so crews could plow the runways. Three to 6 inches of snow already was on the ground in the Washington area and up to 8 inches was expected. In Oklahoma, where up to 8 inches of snow fell, a man was killed in one of 125 accidents reported late Tuesday [Jan 17] in Tulsa.
“Elsewhere, the Siberian air sweeping down from the polar region pushed the mercury as low as 41 degrees below zero in Craig, Colo., and 40 below at Florissant, Colo. Many schools didn’t open so children wouldn’t be exposed to the dangerous cold. Records for the date were set at Cheyenne, Wyo., 29 below Pocatello, Idaho, 28 below; Scottsbluff, Neb., 24 below; Colorado Springs, Colo., 20 below; Denver and Goodland, Kan., 18 below, and Salt Lake City, 6 below. Other Colorado readings included Platteville and Gunnison, 31 below; Longmont, 30 below, and Loveland, 28 below. In Wyoming, it was 39 below at Big Piney and meteorologist Gary Cox said it probably was as cold as 50 below in parts of Yellowstone Park. Readings in the minus-20 to minus-30 degree range were common from Minnesota to the Rockies, with the mercury not expected to top zero today in North Dakota. It was 35 below at Embarrass, Minn., 33 below zero at Hibbing, Minn., 28 below zero at Butte, Mont., 22 below at Sioux Falls., S.D. and Fargo, N.D., and 21 below at Williston, N.D. In Kentucky, nearly 60 school systems closed today with 5 to 8 inches covering much of the eastern and southeastern part of the state and 2 to 4 inches in the north. ‘It should be emphasized that this is a dangerous and major winter storm,’ said John Feldt of the National Weather Service in Kentucky. ‘Travel into the southeast will be impossible.’” (Associated Press. “Winter storm marches on.” The Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 1-18-1984, A2.)
Jan 19: “A second blast of snow from a double-barreled storm hit the Northeast today and the Siberian Express was back on track, sending temperatures tumbling as low as 40 degrees below zero in the frozen Rockies and northern Plains. Records fell to subzero lows as far south as Texas, with the wind making it feel like 70 degrees below zero in places. Temperatures in the range of 20-30 degrees below zero were noted from upper Great Lakes to the Rockies.
“Snow broke out again about midnight along the Eastern Seaboard from Maryland to Maine on the heels of a storm Wednesday that left about half a foot of snow in most places and claimed at least two lives. Schools in much of the region remained closed today, including the suburbs of New York City, where 5 to 6 inches of snow fell in the metropolitan area. The Port Authority reported half-hour delays at LaGuardia…and Kennedy airports in the New York area….
“The stinging cold in the West and upper Midwest, which was reminiscent of the so-called Siberian Express of January 1982, was not expected to loosen its hold until at least the week-end, said Nolan Duke of the National Severe Storms Forecast Center in Kansas City, Mo. ‘Temperatures were in the 20-below range from Minnesota to Montana overnight, and it won’t get above zero across the north-central states today,’ Duke said. ‘It looks like readings nearly that cold will be the rule for the next couple of days over the Plains, most of the Midwest and moving into the Northeast.’ On the morning after one place in Utah reported that state’s all-time low of 65 degrees below zero, it was 40 degrees below zero today in Alamosa, Colo., 35 below in North Platte, Neb., 33 below at West Yellowstone, Mont., 32 below in Worland, Wyo., 28 below at Roosevelt, Utah; and even 10 below in northwestern Arkansas. In Oklahoma, it was 21 below at Guymon, 20 below at Claremore and 16 below at Miami. Records for the date were set in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich, 26 below, Indianapolis, 17 below, Fort Wayne, Ind., 16 below; Dayton, Ohio, 15 below; Cincinnati, Ohio, 14 below; Grand Rapids, Mich., 12 below; and Amarillo, Texas, 11 below. The 13-below reading in Chicago tied a record set in 1940.
“In the Northeast, fears of a major winter storm had businesses closing early Wednesday, but accumulations were generally lighter than expected. By early today 8 inches was on the ground at Dulles International Airport near Washington and in Martinsburg, W.Va., with 4 to 6 inches in most areas along the coast from New Jersey to Maine.
“In northern Utah, at Middle Sinks in Logan Canyon, the temperature fell Wednesday to 65 below — not counting the wind chill — which was the coldest temperature ever recorded in that state. The coldest temperature on record in the United States outside Alaska was 70 degrees below zero at Rogers Pass, Mont., on Jan. 20, 1954. In Trenton, Utah, a mother and three of her five children died Wednesday when a gas furnace near where they were sleeping exploded, officials said. Temperatures outside were 32 below.” (Associated Press. “Temperatures tumble in frozen Rockies, northern Plains.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO. 1-19-1984, A4.)
Jan 20: “A cloak of polar cold blamed for 20 deaths enveloped the eastern two-thirds of the nation today, setting records in more than a dozen cities, and snowflakes fell in Florida. Never at any time in January had it been so cold in Elkins, W.Va., where the mercury hit 24 below zero as the frigid air that had been punishing the West and Midwest all week pushed into the East and South. A reading of 40 below zero at Minong, Wis., was more than 50 degrees colder than the morning low of 11 at Nome, Alaska, and the northwest winds made it feel more like 60 below in places. The 29 below at Eau Claire, Wis., was a record for the date…About half a foot of fresh snow blown by 22-mph winds blocked roads in southwestern Michigan this morning and forced schools to close in Ottawa and Van Buren Counties. A foot of snow fell near Lake Erie in upstate New York and snow and sleet slickened roads across the Texas Panhandle into the Oklahoma City area. Every state in the contiguous United States felt freezing temperatures — as far south as New Orleans and Mobile, Ala. — and light snow was reported in Pensacola in the Florida Panhandle….Temperatures in the teens extended as far south as Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia.” (Associated Press. “Killer cold hits most of nation.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 1-20-1984, A4.)
Jan 21: “Painful cold air wafting down from the arctic tundra sent temperatures plummeting as low as 40 below zero Friday [Jan 20] and set records in more than two dozen cities as it spread across the eastern two-thirds of the United States. Snow fell in Florida, and never had a January morning been so cold in parts of West Virginia.
“At least 28 deaths nationwide have been attributed to this week’s frigid weather. A cold wave the last two weeks of 1983 killed more than 350 people in the nation’s coldest December ever.
“The invasion of cold air, called the Siberian Express because it comes from Siberia by way of the polar regions and western Canada, pushed temperatures below zero from the Rockies to New England and as far south as Nashville, Tenn. It was 40 below zero Friday in Minong, Wis. — compared with the morning low of 11 above at Nome, Alaska — and the northwest winds made it feel like 60 below in places….” (Associated Press. “Big chill takes toll; 28 dead.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 1-21-1984, A4.)
Jan 22: “Record below-zero lows were set in more than 50 cities from the Rockies to the East Coast on Saturday [Jan 22] as a bitterly cold mass of Arctic air sitting on the eastern third of the nation made this the coldest January ever recorded in some cities. Freezing temperatures were reported as far south as the Gulf Coast, the National Weather Service said. The coldest spot in the lower 48 states was Alamosa, Colo., at a record 34 degrees below zero, closely followed by Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., with a numbing 33 below. Like Friday, subfreezing temperatures touched every state but Hawaii. The low of 20 below at Toledo, Ohio, was the coldest ever recorded there at any time of the year. Sault Ste. Marie’s reading was a record for the month of January, as was Detroit’s 21 below. The only time Detroit has been colder was Christmas Eve 1872, when it was 24 below. Saturday’s low of 23 below at Elkins, W.Va., was the Appalachian Mountains town’s second coldest January reading — the coldest was 24 below on Friday….Western Pennsylvania had its coldest night of the winter, even colder than Christmas weekend. Pittsburgh had 13 below, compared to 12 below on Christmas morning. On Friday records were set in at least 26 cities, with the mercury plummeting to 40 below zero at Minong, Wis. It was so cold Saturday at Fort Wayne, Ind., that a state police officer said eight trucks stopped running because the diesel fuel in their tanks began to gel, clogging fuel lines. The city had a low of 21 degrees below zero. Even extreme northeastern Florida had a touch of subfreezing temperatures….At least 30 deaths in 12 states were blamed on the combination of cold and snow over the past week.” (Associated Press. “Alamosa coldest in nation frozen by Arctic air mass.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 1-22-1984, A4.)
Jan 23: “The nation got relief today from a dome of cold air that dealt some cities their lowest temperatures even known, but a new winter headache developed with freezing rain, sleet or snow icing highways in many areas from northern Arkansas to southern Wisconsin.
“At least 43 deaths in 14 states in the past week have been blamed on the cold wave that moved slowly from the Rockies to the Atlantic coast last week and drifted off to sea Sunday [Jan 22]. In its wake it left at least 100 record low temperatures. The victims included nine people on a Montana school bus who died in a collision with a truck, and a New York state man who police said froze to death when he was locked outside a friend’s residence overnight while intoxicated.
“Temperatures in the Northeast were generally 20 to 40 degrees warmer this morning than they had been Sunday morning. But it was 29 below zero at Alamosa, Colo., for a record for the date, and up to half a foot of new snow fell in the Rockies. In Washington, D.C., the temperature hit minus 18 Sunday morning but was 20 degrees today. In Concord, N.H., it went from minus 33 Sunday to minus 4 today. With snow or freezing rain falling over the Mississippi Valley and elsewhere in the Midwest this morning, schools were closed in southeastern Missouri, where many traffic accidents were reported, and in the St. Louis and Jefferson City areas. Streets in Omaha, Neb., were a ‘freezing mess,’ said police officer Robert Gobney, who also reported many accidents including one seven-car pileup at an intersection of Interstate 80….
“As the temperature in Idaho rose to 20 degrees Sunday, ice on the choked Salmon and Lemhi rivers began breaking up and rescue workers said residents of 127 evacuated homes could begin returning as floodwaters that reached 6 feet began to subside….But in the South and East, even a rapid rise in temperatures that had fallen Sunday to between zero and 10 degrees in Alabama and Mississippi offered little to cheer about as a moist air flow from the Gulf of Mexico turned to freezing rain early today….
“The air felt warmer Sunday in many places, but only in comparison to Saturday when 50 cities had record lows. More than two dozen low-temperature records were broken Friday and again early Sunday….Sunday’s low temperature as reported by the National Weather Service was 36 below zero t Canaan, Vt., and old Forge, N.Y….‘It’s the coldest its ever been in this century’ in Massachusetts, said David Barrett, National Weather Service observer in the western Massachusetts town of Chester, which hit an unofficial national low of 40 below zero, along with Guilford, Maine. Record lows were reported Sunday in New York, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi. It western Pennsylvania, the cold air system still had enough punch to refrigerate the town of Ridgway to 31 below. Pittsburgh had 7 below, an improvement on Saturday’s 13 below. And at Elkins, W.Va., well up in the Appalachians, Sunday’s record of 23 below equaled Saturday’s record.” (Associated Press. “Massive cold wave drifts into Atlantic.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 1-23-1984, A4.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Across Kansas.” Garden City Telegram, KS. 1-17-1984, p. 2. Accessed 4-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/garden-city-telegram-jan-17-1984-p-2/
Associated Press. “Alamosa coldest in nation frozen by Arctic air mass.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 1-22-1984, A4. Accessed 4-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-jan-22-1984-p-6/
Associated Press. “Albemarle Co. Woman Freezes.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA, 1-24-1984, p. 11. Accessed 4-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrisonburg-daily-news-record-jan-24-1984-p-11/
Associated Press. “At least nine die in fiery bus crash.” Havre Daily News, MT, 1-22-1984, A2. Accessed 4-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/havre-daily-news-jan-22-1984-p-2/
Associated Press. “Big chill takes toll; 28 dead.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 1-21-1984, A4. Accessed 4-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-jan-21-1984-p-8/
Associated Press. “Bitter cold grips the nation; no state escapes deep freeze.” The Telegraph, Nashua, NH, 1-20-1984, 31. Accessed 4-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/nashua-telegraph-jan-20-1984-p-31/
Associated Press. “Bitter cold gives no rest to the weary.” Sedalia Democrat, MO, 1-20-1984, p. 1. Accessed 4-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sedalia-democrat-jan-20-1984-p-1/
Associated Press. “Bitter Cold Grips Nation.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA, 1-20-1984, pp. 1 and 6. Accessed 4-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/clearfield-progress-jan-20-1984-p-24/
Associated Press. “Death of woman prompts outcry.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-21-1984, p. 5. Accessed 4-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ironwood-daily-globe-jan-21-1984-p-5/
Associated Press. “Dixie storm hits Northern cities.” Jacksonville Journal Courier, IL, 1-19-1984, p. 1. Accessed 4-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/jacksonville-journal-courier-jan-19-1984-p-49/
Associated Press. “Frigid blast sets record lows.” Joplin Globe, MO, 1-20-1984, p. 1. Accessed 4-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/joplin-globe-jan-20-1984-p-1/
Associated Press. “Frigid temperatures paralyze Northeast.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA, 1-21-1984, p. 1. Accessed 4-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-gazette-jan-21-1984-p-1/
Associated Press. “Killer cold hits most of nation.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 1-20-1984, A4. Accessed 4-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-jan-20-1984-p-4/
Associated Press. “Man dies starting car.” Ottumwa Courier, IA, 1-21-1984, p. 13. Accessed 4-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ottumwa-courier-jan-21-1984-p-13/
Associated Press. “Massive cold wave drifts into Atlantic.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 1-23-1984, A4. Accessed 4-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-telegraph-jan-23-1984-p-4/
Associated Press. “Montana Town Mourns for 9 Dead After Team Bus Crashes in Storm.” New York Times, 1-23-1984. Accessed 4-18-2019 at: https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/23/us/montana-town-mourns-for-9-dead-after-team-bus-crashes-in-storm.html
Associated Press. “Nation gets some cold relief, except for icy roads headache.” Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA. 1-23-1984, p. 6. Accessed 4-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/walla-walla-union-bulletin-jan-23-1984-p-6/
Associated Press. “New Mexico roundup,” Roswell Daily Record, NM, 1-20-1984, p. 24. Accessed 4-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/roswell-daily-record-jan-20-1984-p-24/
Associated Press. “Temperatures tumble in frozen Rockies, northern Plains.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO. 1-19-1984, A4. Associated 4-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-jan-19-1984-p-4/
Associated Press. “Winter storm marches on.” The Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 1-18-1984, A2. Accessed 4-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kalispell-daily-inter-lake-jan-18-1984-p-2/
Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA. “Ice causes accidents across U.S.” 1-24-1984, 3B. Accessed 4-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/doylestown-intelligencer-jan-24-1984-p-31/
Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT. “Whitefish mourns bus crash victims.” 1-23-1984, p. 1. Accessed 4-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kalispell-daily-inter-lake-jan-23-1984-p-1/
Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Youth killed while ‘tubing.’” 1-20-1984, p. 1. Accessed 4-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-gazette-jan-20-1984-p-1/
Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, WI. “Cold kills two in Milwaukee,” 1-20-1984, A1. Accessed 4-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/eau-claire-leader-telegram-jan-20-1984-p-2/
National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Volume 26, No. 1, January 1984. Asheville, NC: NCDC, NOAA. Accessed 4-17-2019 at:
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/sd/sd.html?_finish=0.5974261913594505
Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Accidental Death Cited in Hypothermia Case.” 1-23-1984, B-1. Accessed 4-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-jan-23-1984-p-37/
Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Cold Snap Blamed for 44 Deaths, Including 2 in Central New York.” 1-23-1984, 1. Accessed 4-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-jan-23-1984-p-1/
Salina Journal, KS. “Stranded hunter found dead.” 1-19-1984, p. 9. Accessed 4-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salina-journal-jan-19-1984-p-9/
Sandusky Register, OH. “Weather…Nation.” 1-21-1984, A-6. Accessed 4-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-register-jan-21-1984-p-6/
United Press International. “Arctic air ices nation; death toll at 22, rising.” Altoona Mirror, PA, 1-20-1984, p. 1. Accessed 4-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/altoona-mirror-jan-20-1984-p-1/
United Press International. “Cold out, freezing rain in.” Daily Press, Escanaba, MI, 1-24-1984, p. 5. Accessed 4-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-jan-24-1984-p-5/
United Press International. “Flooding is threat of warmer weather.” Crescent-News, Defiance, OH, 1-23-1984, p. 14. Accessed 4-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-jan-23-1984-p-13/
United Press International. “Freezing temperatures hit U.S.; only Hawaii spared.” Daily Press, Escanaba MI, 1-21-1983, 5A. Accessed 4-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-jan-21-1984-p-5/
United Press International. “Ice Sheaths Much of Nation.” Courier-Express, DuBois, PA, 1-24-1984, 1. Accessed 4-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubois-courier-express-jan-24-1984-p-1/
United Press International. “Mercury may dip to minus 10.” Sandusky Register, OH, 1-19-1984, p. 1. Accessed 4-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-register-jan-19-1984-p-1/
United Press International. “Second polar blast chills state.” The Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 1-20-1984, p.5. Accessed 4-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrisburg-daily-register-jan-20-1984-p-5/
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA. “Storm surprises Walla Walla with snow.” 1-22-1984, p. 1. Accessed 4-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/walla-walla-union-bulletin-jan-22-1984-p-1/
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA. “Wreck near Pomeroy kills UO wrestler.” 1-22-1984, p. 1. Accessed 4-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/walla-walla-union-bulletin-jan-22-1984-p-1/
[1] “The 28 weather-related deaths this week included…man…killed…in Dubuque, Iowa, trying to start a car…Two deaths each in [WI], Delaware and Pennsylvania…one each in Colorado, Missouri and Illinois. Traffic accidents on icy highways claimed four lives in Pennsylvania, five in New Jersey, three in Delaware and two in Maryland. In Pennsylvania, two men died of cardiac arrest after shoveling snow and a third was killed in a sledding accident. In Omaha, Neb., a man was found dead from asphyxiation after he tried to heat his bathroom with a charcoal grill.”
[2] “At least 27 deaths nationwide were blamed on the second frigid blast of the winter of 1983-84 — five in Utah, four in Delaware, three in Pennsylvania, two each in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maine, New Mexico and Wisconsin, and one each in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska and Colorado.”
[3] “…four in Utah and Delaware, three in Pennsylvania, two each in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maine, New Mexico and Wisconsin and one each in Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska and Colorado.”
[4] The second major cold wave of the winter of 1983-84 has been blamed for at least 22 deaths, including four in Utah and Delaware, three in Pennsylvania, two in Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Wisconsin and one each in Missouri, Illinois and Nebraska..”
[5] “The cold and winter storms have claimed 18 lives this week, including a St. Louis resident at a home for the elderly…In Milwaukee…an 84-year-old woman was found dead in her heatless apartment and a drifter was found frozen in a warehouse. Traffic accidents on icy highways claimed four lives in Pennsylvania, five in New Jersey and one in Delaware. Two men died of cardiac arrest after shoveling snow in Pennsylvania and two died of exposure. In Omaha, Neb., a man was found dead of asphyxiation after th tried to heat his bathroom with a charcoal grill.”
[6] At least eight people across the nation have died in the cold and snow, including four members of a Utah family caught in a fire started by a heater they were using to warm their home in 30-below temperatures Wednesday.”
[7] Associated Press. “Dixie storm hits Northern cities.” Jacksonville Journal Courier, IL, 1-19-1984, p. 1.
[8] The Post, Frederick, MD. “Snow” (continued from A1), 1-20-1984, p. 2.
[9] Associated Press. “Bitter Cold Grips Nation.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA, 1-20-1984, pp. 1 and 6.
[10] United Press International. “Second polar blast chills state.” The Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 1-20-1984, p. 5. Writes that “Chicago area shelters for the homeless bulged beyond capacity as thousands sought refuge from the winter’s second blast of bitter cold.”
[11] United Press International. “Ice Sheaths Much of Nation.” Courier-Express, DuBois, PA, 1-24-1984, p. 1.
[12] Associated Press. “Man dies starting car.” Ottumwa Courier, IA, 1-21-1984, p. 13. Notes the victim, Dean Scardino, was “trying to jump-start a stalled vehicle in subzero cold, police said…the accident happened just after midnight on Iowa Highway 52 north. They said Scardino was standing on the road trying to start the car with his own car. A third car…struck the two parked cars and the victim.”
[13] “Larry G. Poley, 41, Washington [KS] died Tuesday after his pickup truck became stuck in a snowdrift…Mr. Poley…decided to walk for help…His body was discovered…about three-fourths of a mile from the stranded truck.” (Salina Journal, KS. “Stranded hunter found dead.” 1-19-1984, p. 9.)
[14] “John B. Woods Jr., 45, of New Haven was found on the roadside of KY 84 about 7 miles east of Howardstown. The cause of death was hypothermia. Mr. Woods was found face down in the snow, twenty feet from his truck that had become stuck in the snow and mud. Temperatures at that time in the area averaged 22 degrees below zero.” (NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 7.)
[15] The Post, Frederick, MD. “Snow” (continued from A1), 1-20-1984, p. 2.
[16] Victim was Florence May Dietz, 79. (The Post, Frederick, MD. “Snow” (continued from A1), 1-20-1984, p. 2.)
[17] Victim identified as James Buckner, 60. (Associated Press. “Bitter cold gives no rest to the weary.” Sedalia Democrat, MO, 1-20-1984, p. 1.) Article writes: “The National Weather Service said an overnight low of 1 below zero at 7 a.m. Thursday, when coupled with winds out of the southwest at 10 to 15 mph, produced a wind chill index of minus 31.” Also notes: “Police said Buckner, a resident of Father Jim’s Home for about a year, apparently became involved in a dispute with a clerk and had gone to the rear fire escape attired only in underwear and socks.”
[18] Associated Press. “At least nine die in fiery bus crash.” Havre Daily News, MT, 1-22-1984, A2; Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT. “Whitefish mourns bus crash victims.” 1-23-1984, p. 1. An AP report in the New York Times wrote that the collision took place “in a snowstorm.” (Associated Press. “Montana Town Mourns for 9 Dead After Team Bus Crashes in Storm.” New York Times, 1-23-1984.)
[19] Associated Press. “Bitter Cold Grips Nation.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA, 1-20-1984, pp. 1 and 6.
[20] Associated Press. “Bitter Cold Grips Nation.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA, 1-20-1984, pp. 1 and 6.
[21] Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA. “Ice causes accidents across U.S.” 1-24-1984, 3B.
[22] Associated Press. “Dixie storm hits Northern cities.” Jacksonville Journal Courier, IL, 1-19-1984, p. 1.
[23] “Two people found dead in a car stuck in a snow bank along the Gallinas River died of carbon monoxide poisoning, authorities said today…the state Office of the Medical Examiner had determined the cause of death through blood tests. The victims were identified as Chris J. Gallegos, 21, of Las Vegas and Julie Sandoval, 20, a student at New Mexico Highlands University from Las Lunas.” (Associated Press. “New Mexico roundup,” Roswell Daily Record, NM, 1-20-1984, p. 24.)
[24] Post-Standard, Syracuse NY. “Cold Snap Blamed for 44 Deaths, Including 2 in Central New York.” 1-23-1984, 1.
[25] AP. “Nation gets some cold relief, except for icy roads headache.” Walla Walla Union-Bulletin WA. 1-23-1984, 6.
[26] Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Accidental Death Cited in Hypothermia Case.” 1-23-1984, B-1. The Post-Standard noted elsewhere that “Temperatures in Watertown early Saturday plunged to minus 35.” (Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Cold Snap Blamed for 44 Deaths, Including 2 in Central New York.” 1-23-1984, 1.)
[27] Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA. “Ice causes accidents across U.S.” 1-24-1984, 3B.
[28] NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 8.
[29] Associated Press. “Winter storm marches on.” The Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 1-18-1984, A2.
[30] Associated Press. “Dixie storm hits Northern cities.” Jacksonville Journal Courier, IL, 1-19-1984, p. 1.
[31] Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA. “Storm surprises Walla Walla with snow.” 1-22-1984, p. 1.
[32] Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Youth killed while ‘tubing.’” 1-20-1984, p. 1.
[33] “There…were a few deaths to persons collapsing while engaged in snow removal.” (NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 8.) For the purpose of a tally we assume “a few” was at least three.
[34] NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 9.
[35] NCDC Storm Data, 26/1, p. 9.
[36] Associated Press. “Bitter Cold Grips Nation.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA, 1-20-1984, pp. 1 and 6.
[37] Associated Press. “Bitter Cold Grips Nation.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA, 1-20-1984, pp. 1 and 6. Article notes four traffic fatalities. We subtract the two already noted for the Tionesta area.
[38] AP. “Dixie storm hits Northern cities.” Jacksonville Journal Courier, IL, 1-19-1984, p. 1. -32° outside.
[39] “A 29-year-old Crozet woman has been found frozen to death outside her home during the weekend’s severe cold snap that set new low temperature records around Virginia. Albemarle County authorities said Suzy Ann Barbara Key who lived on Va. 684 in Mint Springs Valley, froze to death late Saturday or early Sunday after failing to walk 50 yards from her father’s house to her house. ‘She had been drinking heavily and evidently fell down in the snow…Being intoxicated, she was apparently unable to get up and froze to death.’ [Sheriff’s Office] The temperature Sunday morning dropped to zero at Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport…the temperature probably was colder in Mint Springs Valley, which is at a higher elevation at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains.” (Associated Press. “Albemarle Co. Woman Freezes.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA, 1-24-1984, p. 11.)
[40] One University of Oregon wrestler, Lorenzo West, 20, was killed in the accident. “Washington State Patrol Lt. Gary R. Hallett said that the van was traveling north on State Route 127 [19 miles west of Pomeroy] on compact snow and ice when the accident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. ‘They were traveling on slick roadway,’ he said Saturday evening. The van carrying 10 wrestlers and two assistant coaches, was headed downhill on a left-hand curve when the driver…lost control and the van slid to the right, he said. It hit a guard rail, catapulted over it and went down a steep embankment for 185 feet, he said. The van rolled several times and all 12 occupants were thrown from it, he said. The roof was ripped from the van in the accident…The team was en route to Pullman for a match against Washington State University…” (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA. “Wreck near Pomeroy kills UO wrestler.” 1-22-1984, p. 1.) A critically injured wrestler, Jed Kesey, died two days later. (United Press International. “Ice Sheaths Much of Nation.” Courier-Express, DuBois, PA, 1-24-1984, 1.)
[41] Associated Press. “Bitter Cold Grips Nation.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA, 1-20-1984, pp. 1 and 6. A UPI report writes: “Police said the gas meter to her building had been locked shut because of unpaid bills.” (UPI. “Arctic air ices nation; death toll at 22, rising.” Altoona Mirror, PA, 1-20-1984, p. 1.) Victim identified as Esther Bahr, 84. (AP. “Death of woman prompts outcry.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-21-1984, p. 5.) This last AP article notes that the woman’s gas had been turned off the previous May for non-payment of about $2,500 in past bills. Another source writes: “Robert H. Kuells, an assistant supervisor with the Department of Building Inspection said the temperature was 22 degrees in the apartment where Bahr was found.” (Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, WI. “Cold kills two in Milwaukee,” 1-20-1984, A1.)
[42] Associated Press. “Bitter Cold Grips Nation.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA, 1-20-1984, pp. 1 and 6.
[43] “Officials said Henry Woytasik, 62, was found dead by Milwaukee warehouse workers near a railroad dock where one of he workers, Howard Brooks, had seem him sleeping about 7 a.m. Thursday [Jan 19]. Brooks said he advised the man to move somewhere warmer because he might freeze if he stayed in the area where railroad cars pull in to unload. Another employee, David Lipinski, said he checked on the man three hours later and found he was not breathing…Another employee said the man was wearing ‘shoes, socks, polyester pants that did not cover his ankles and a short summer-weight coat.’” Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, WI. “Cold kills two in Milwaukee,” 1-20-1984, 1.