–471 Dec 16-Jan 3, deaths in 46 states: –213 Exposure. –117 weather-related vehicular.
–469 Blanchard high-end of range tally based on State and locality breakouts below. [1]
–464 Dec 16-31, deaths in 45 States: –212 Exposure. –116 Weather-related vehicular.[2]
–462 By Dec 31. UPI. “Arctic blast rocks South.” Key West Citizen, FL. 1-1-1984, p. 2.
–211 Exposure.” –115 Weather-related vehicular.
–451 By Dec 30. UPI. “Weather. Nation.” Ukiah Daily Journal, CA, 12-30-1983, p. 11.[3]
–205 Exposure. –114 Weather-related vehicular.
–450 Dec 17-Dec 31. AP. “Cold losing grip.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 1-1-1984, 1.
–449 By Dec 30. UPI. “Texas citrus gripped by freeze.” Key West Citizen, FL, 12-30-1983, p.1.
–203 Exposure –114 Weather-related vehicular.
–443 Blanchard low end of range tally based on State and locality breakouts below.
–430 Dec 15-29. AP. “‘Heat wave’ coming.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 12-30-1983, 1.[4]
–409 By Dec 29. United Press Int. “Weather.” Ukiah Daily Journal, CA, 12-29-1983, p. 16.
–195 Exposure — 99 Weather-related vehicular.
–402 Dec 17-29. AP. “Winter death toll rising.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 12-30-1983, 2A.
–400 Dec 17-29. AP. “Winter Storm Death Toll Exceeds 400.” Northwest Arkansas Times, 12-29-1983, p. 1.[5]
–390 By 28th. AP. “Bad weather: ‘You name it, it’s happening.’” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-29-1983, 1.
–360 Dec 17-28. AP. “Dixie freeze in store; death toll passes 360.” News Herald, Panama City, FL, 12-29-1983, 1.
–346 Dec 17-28. AP. “Violent Weather Persists…” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 12-28-1983, p. 1.
–300> By Dec 28. AP. “Coating of ice frosts Dixie.” Playground Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 12-28-1983, 1.
–290 By Dec 27. AP. “290 deaths blamed on cold.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 12-27-1983, p4.
–270 By Dec 27. AP. “Cold Wave Death Toll Tops 270, Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 12-27-1983, 1.
–264 By Dec 26. AP. “Death roll climbs as temps rise…,” Daily News, Havre, MT, 12-27-1983, p. 1.
–159 Dec 17-25. AP. “Lethal chill…winds stretch…South.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph,” CO, 12-26-1983, 1.
–151 Dec 15-31. Extreme cold. NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 11.[6]
–140 Dec 17-24. AP. “December cold records shattered.” News Herald, Panama City, FL, 12-25-1983, 1.
–137 Dec 17-24. UPI/Sherrod. “Freezing weather halts Christmas mail; 137 dead. 12-24-1983.
–129 Dec 17-23. UPI. “Cold sets records.” Key West Citizen, FL, 12-25-1983, p. 2.
–125 Dec 17-23. AP. “Death toll from storms hits 125.” News Herald, Panama City, FL, 12-24-1983, 1.
–108 By Dec 23. AP. Temperature…tumble in 35 cities.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 12-23-1983, p.1.
— 81 Dec 16-22. AP. “Winter brings punishing cold, snow.” News Herald, Panama City, FL, 12-23-1983, p1.
— 73 By Dec 22. UPI. “It’s here, in case you haven’t noticed.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 12-22-1983, p. 1.
— 47 By Dec 21. UPI. “Winter storms’ death toll reaches 47.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 12-21-1983, p.16.
— 36 By Dec 21. AP. “Freezing Rain Adds to Woes.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 12-21-1983, 1.
— 28 By Dec 18. AP. “‘Cold, And More Cold.’” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 12-18-1983, 7A.
Summary of Dec 14-31 Winter Weather Fatalities By State
- Alabama ( 4) (Deaths Dec 24-27)
- Arkansas ( 31) (Deaths Dec 18-30)
- Colorado ( 8) (Deaths Dec 20-27)
- Connecticut ( 1) (Death ~Dec 17)
- Delaware ( 1) (Death Dec 28)
- Florida ( 10) (Deaths Dec 25-Jan 1)
- Georgia ( 2-20) (Deaths Dec 17-26)
- Idaho ( 5) (Deaths Dec 22-31)
- Illinois ( 20) (Deaths Dec 16-27)
- Indiana ( 20) (Deaths Dec 18-31)
- Iowa ( 15) (Deaths Dec 17-29)
- Kansas ( 11) (Deaths Dec 14-29)
- Kentucky ( 11) (Deaths Dec 23-28)
- Louisiana ( 15) (Deaths Dec 16-31)
- Maryland ( 8) (Deaths Dec 22-31)
- Michigan ( 12) (Deaths Dec 16-27)
- Minnesota ( 8) (Deaths Dec 13-22)
- Mississippi ( 11) (Deaths Dec 16-31)
- Missouri ( 13) (Deaths Dec 15-23)
- Montana ( 8) (Deaths Dec 16-25)
- Nebraska ( 7) (Deaths Dec 22 & 28)
- New Hampshire ( 1) (Death Dec 20
- New Jersey ( 8) (Deaths By Dec 26)
- New Mexico ( 1) (Death Dec 25)
- New York ( 28) (Deaths Dec 22-29)
- North Carolina (24-27) (Deaths Dec 24-28)
- North Dakota ( 5) (Deaths Dec 15-26)
- Ohio ( 9) (Deaths Dec 23-30)
- Oklahoma (16-19) (Deaths Dec 19-25)
- Oregon ( 15) (Deaths Dec 19-29)
- Pennsylvania ( 15) (Deaths Dec 17-29)
- South Carolina ( 29) (Deaths Dec 17-31)
- South Dakota ( 2) (Deaths Dec 17-26)
- Tennessee ( 10) (Deaths Dec 19-31)
- Texas ( 28) (Deaths Dec 15-31)
- Utah ( 4) (Deaths Dec 17-26)
- Virginia ( 7) (Deaths Dec 24-27)
- Washington ( 9) (Deaths Dec 17-29)
- West Virginia ( 1) (Death Dec 24-26)
- Wisconsin ( 10) (Deaths Dec 14-25)
- Wyoming ( 2) (Deaths Dec 17-26)
Summary of Causes of Death Breakout
14 — Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.
4 — Drownings after falling through thin ice.
217 — Exposure to Excessive Cold and Hypothermia.
6 — Falls on Slippery Icy Surface.
43 — Fires and Burns (e.g. over-heated/improperly connected heaters, fire apparatus unable to reach).
12 — Heart Attacks (removing snow; exposure to cold; digging out/pushing vehicles).
4 — Sledding/Tubing Accidents.
5 — Snowmobile Accidents.
119 — Vehicular Accidents on icy, snowy roads.
10 — Other (e. g. rescue helicopter crash; electrocution; drowning/exposure in ocean).
35 — Cause Not Noted or Found.
Breakout of Extreme Cold Fatalities by States and localities, where noted:
Alabama ( 4) (Deaths Dec 24-27)
–4 State, Dec 24-27. Exposure. NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 14.
Arkansas (31) (Deaths Dec 18-30)
–31 Blanchard tally based on locality and/or cause breakouts below.
–29 AP. “Frigid Cold Claims 29th.” Courier News, Blytheville, AR, 12-30-1983, p. 1.[7]
–28 AP. “Winter death toll rising.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 12-30-1983, 2A.
–13 Dec 15-31, exposure. NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 15.[8]
Breakout of Arkansas winter cold and weather-related deaths by locality or cause, where noted:
–1 Blytheville area, Mississippi Co., ~Dec 24. Exposure outdoors; car became stuck in ditch.[9]
–1 Dumas, Desha Co., Dec 23. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, V. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 15.[10]
–1 El Dorado, Dec 28. Fall injuries after slipping on ice outside home; Fergus O Mahoney, 71.[11]
–2 Farmington area, Hwy. 62W, Dec 22. Driver loses control of car on icy road, slides into car.[12]
–1 Garland County, Dec 28. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 15.
–1 Independence Co., Dec 23. Exposure. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, 25/12, Dec 1983, p.15.
–1 Independence Co., Dec 28. Exposure. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, 25/12, Dec 1983, p.15.
–1 Lafayette County, Dec 24. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 15.
–1 Johnson County, Dec 18. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 15.
–1 Johnson County, Dec 24. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 15.
–1 Monroe County, Dec 18. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 15.
–1 Phillips County, Dec 23. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 15.
–1 Pulaski County, Dec 26. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 15.
–1 Springdale, Dec 31. Sledding accident; Brian James Mayes, 13.[13]
–1 Union County, Dec 24. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 15.
–1 Washington Co., Dec 25. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 15.
–1 Locale not noted. Helicopter crash killing stranded duck hunter who had been rescued.[14]
–1 Locale not noted. One of two deaths reported due to injuries slipping on ice and falling.[15]
–5 Locales not noted. Fire deaths reported as “weather-related.”[16]
–6 Locales not noted. Traffic accidents reported as “weather-related.”[17]
—>3 Traffic accidents, Dec 20-21, “causing many fatalities and injuries.” NCDC Storm Data, 15.[18]
—>2 Traffic accidents, Dec 26-27, “and fatalities…” NCDC Storm Data, p. 15.[19]
–1 Locale not noted, by Dec 30. Sledding accident.[20]
Colorado ( 8) (Deaths Dec 20-27)
–1 Almont area, ~Dec 20. Driver loses control of car on icy road, crosses into oncoming traffic.[21]
–1 Delta County, ~Dec 20. Car slides on icy road into another killing its occupant, Hal Koonce, 36.[22]
–2 Denver, Dec 20-25. Exposure outdoors. NCDC. Storm Data, V. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 11.
–1 Denver, Dec 26. Hypothermia; body found outdoors; Robert Heinle, 58.[23]
–1 Denver, Dec 27. Exposure; frozen body found in car which skidded off slick I-25 ramp.[24]
–1 Denver, Dec 27. Apparent exposure; body found under home under construction; female, 33.[25]
–1 Naturita area, Montrose County, Dec 27. Exposure after pickup stranded in snow; male, 20.[26]
Connecticut ( 1) (Death ~Dec 17)
–1 Greenwich, ~Dec 17. Exposure in tree at Daycroft school; Todd Clark, 14 (Med. Ex. rpt.).[27]
Delaware ( 1) (Death Dec 28)
–1 Locale not noted, Dec 28. Traffic fatality. NCDC. Storm Data, V25, N12, Dec 1983, p. 16.
Florida (10) (Deaths Dec 25-Jan 1)
–10 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
— 6 Dec 25-26. Key West Citizen, FL. Six dead of cold in Fla.” 12-27-1983, p. 2.
Breakout of Florida winter weather-related fatalities by locality and/or cause, where noted:
–6 Dec 25-26. Exposure. NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 11.
–2 Jacksonville. NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 17.[28]
–3 Miami. NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 17.[29]
–1 Tampa. NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 17.[30]
–1 Crestview, Jan 1. Apparent hypothermia; in cold house, heat not on; male, 74.[31]
–2 St. Petersburg, Dec 28. CO poisoning; unvented natural gas heater; couple in 40s or 50s.[32]
–1 Tampa, Dec 25. Home fire, from gas heater reported as weather-related; Gussie Dunn, 79.[33]
Georgia (2-20) (Deaths Dec 17-29)
–20 NY Times (Joyce). “Numbing Cold Brings Death and Misery to South.” 12-30-1983, A10.
–20 Dec 17-29. AP. “Winter death toll rising.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 12-30-1983, 2A.
–15 Exposure.
— ? NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 11. (Question mark is in NCDC.)
— 2 Locales not noted, between Dec 17-26. Exposure deaths.[34]
Idaho ( 5) (Deaths Dec 22-31)
–4 Locale not noted, by Dec 22. Single traffic accident attributed to the weather.[35]
–1 Clearwater River in north Idaho, ~Dec 31. Car skids off snow-packed highway into river.[36]
Illinois (20) (Deaths Dec 16-27)
–20 Blanchard tally based upon locality and/or cause breakouts below.
–20 AP. “Winter death toll rising.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 12-30-1983, 2A.
–19 AP. “Arctic freeze eases grip…” Daily Republican-Register, Mt. Carmel, IL, 12-27-1983, p. 8.
–18 UPI (Pamela Sherrod). “Freezing weather halts Christmas mail; 137 dead. 12-24-1983.
–16 United Press International. “Cold sets records.” Key West Citizen, FL, 12-25-1983, p. 2.
–16 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
–6 Fire, improperly connected heater.
–7 Exposure.
–1 Shoveling snow related.
–2 Traffic accidents.
–14 UPI. “Best advice: stay inside till Sunday.” Journal Courier, Jacksonville, IL, 12-24-1983, 28.[37]
— ? NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 11. [Question mark is in NCDC.]
Breakout of Illinois winter weather-related fatalities by locality and/or cause, where noted:
–1 Chicago, Dec 19. Exposure; body found outside home in a.m.; temp. ~ -14°; Bernard Kraatz, 58.[38]
–3 Chicago area, Dec 21. “…traffic accidents when snow and sleet fell Wednesday.”[39]
–6 Chicago, Dec 23. Fire; heater improperly connected after home gas shut off.[40]
–1 Chicago, Dec 23. Exposure; man, 93, went outdoors, sub-zero temps; found between apt. double doors.[41]
–1 Chicago north-side, Dec 24. Unidentified woman found frozen to death under front of car.[42]
–1 Chicago, ~Dec 25. Hypothermia? Body of woman missing since Dec 25 found under snow.[43]
–1 Chicago, Dec 27. Frozen body of unidentified man found in abandoned apartment.[44]
–1 Colchester, Dec 23. Exposure outside home; Mildred C. Holbart, 71; windchill ~90° below.[45]
–1 Elk Grove, Dec 25. Hypothermia; found dead at home in front of space heater; Stan Malys, 65.[46]
–1 Lake Villa, Dec 16/17. Exposure after wandering away from housing facility; female, 82.[47]
–1 Mount Prospect, Dec 21. Car slides on slick road into another; passenger, Bertha Faldberg, 76.[48]
–1 Rockford area, ~Dec 21. No detail — noted only as a weather-related death.[49]
–1 Summit (Chicago suburb), Dec 24. Hypothermia; body found outside near home; John Jocius, 68.[50]
Indiana (20) (Deaths Dec 18-31)
–20 Blanchard tally based on locality and cause breakouts below (includes 11 exposure deaths).
— 6 Locales not noted, Dec 18-31. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, V25, N12, Dec 1983, p. 18.
Breakout of Indiana weather-related deaths by locality and/or cause, where noted.
–1 Anderson, ~Dec 26. Exposure; froze to death in cold (6°) unheated home; Stanley Adams, 70.[51]
–1 Deer Creek area, Dec 22. Car slid into path of another on icy road; Paula Kirpatrick.[52]
–1 Elwood, Dec 24. Exposure after car skidded off icy road into creek; walked about 25 feet.[53]
–1 Evansville, ~Dec 31. Man slips on ice while crossing road; hit by oncoming car.[54]
–1 Galveston, Dec 19. Exposure; 4-year-old goes out in -10° weather, fell into water-filled ditch.[55]
–1 Idaville area, Dec 22. Exposure after walking away from stranded car; Walter H. Horton, 59.[56]
–6 Indianapolis, Dec 18-27. Exposure deaths.[57]
–1 Indianapolis, Dec 23. Exposure; died at Wishard Hospital; unidentified person.[58]
–1 “ Dec 24. Exposure; body found in apartment heated only by a space heater.[59]
–2 “ Dec 27. Exposure; couple tried to heat home with “half-broken space heater.”[60]
–3 Indianapolis, Dec 23-27. “…auto accidents attributed to the five-day cold wave.”[61]
–2 Indianapolis, Dec 23-28. CO poisoning due to blocked chimney; Mildred and William Hinds.[62]
–1 Indianapolis, Dec 30. Exposure; wandered away from home in nightgown; Hulda Mellinger, 82.[63]
–1 Knox, Dec 23. Heart attack after shoveling snow at home; Patrick McCarthy, 52.[64]
–1 North Vernon, Dec 26. Exposure; body found frozen in shrubbery near home; Lawrence Barber, 63.[65]
Iowa (15) (Deaths Dec 17-29)
–15 Blanchard tally based on locality and/or cause breakouts below.
— 8 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
— 4 Dec 18-25, Exposure. NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 18.
Breakout of Iowa winter-weather-related fatalities by locality and/or cause, where noted:
–2 Balltown area, Dec 17. Snowmobile accident and exposure; Ben Steger, 20, Brad Hefel, 18.[66]
–1 Cedar Rapids, Dec 20. CO poisoning in barn from stove; Dennis Brannerman, 49.[67]
–1 Cedar Rapids, Dec 21. Heart attack shoveling snow in driveway; LeRoy D. Turner, 60.[68]
–2 Clear Lake area, I-35, Dec 24. Weather-related car crash; two women killed.[69]
–1 Council Bluffs, Dec 17/18. Exposure after snowmobile flips over in drainage ditch (Diller).[70]
–1 Dunlap, Dec 29. Suffocation in snow after pickup rolls over into snow-filled ditch; R.A. Klein.[71]
–1 Fairfield, body found Dec 26. Exposure; accidently locked herself out; may have slipped on ice.[72]
–1 Fort Madison area, Dec 24. Fire, cabin; snow-packed road/frozen fire truck water pump prevented response.[73]
–1 LaHarpe, Dec 23. Exposure after fall taking out the trash at home; Mildred Hobart, 71.[74]
–1 Popejoy area, ~Dec 17. Apparent heart attack trying to free pickup from snow; male, 79.[75]
–2 Rippey area, Dec 24. Exposure and CO poisoning; couple in car buried in snow drift.[76]
–1 Vinton, Dec 22. Woman outside unable to find keys for apt.; temp. went to about -20°.[77]
Kansas (11) (Deaths Dec 14-29)
–11 Blanchard tally based on locality and/or cause breakouts below:
— 9 Hutchinson News, KS. “Regional weather conditions…Kansas.” 12-30-1983, p. 16.
— 5 Dec 20-25. Exposure. NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 18.
— 4 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
Breakout of Kansas winter weather-related fatalities by locality and/or cause, where noted:
–1 Beloit area, Dec 24. Hypothermia, in car stuck in snow on back road; male, 17. NCDC, p18.[78]
–1 Buffalo area, Wilson County. Driver unable to stop car on icy road; slid into path of train.[79]
–1 Cawker City, Dec 21. Exposure; man, 56, found frozen to death on his front porch. NCDC.[80]
–1 Cedar Point area, Dec 21. Semi hits pickup killing driver during “hazardous driving conditions.”[81]
–1 Colby area, Dec 19/20. Exposure; car stuck in snow on country road; female, 76. NCDC, p.18.[82]
–1 Eureka area, Dec 28/29. Exposure; oil field worker trying to walk home after pickup ditched.[83]
–1 Lancaster, Dec 14. Exposure; went out to mail letters.[84] Robert Thurman, 79.[85]
–1 Monument area, Dec 19. Car crosses center line into tractor trailer during blowing snow.[86]
–1 Topeka, Dec 28. Heart attack after trying to push car out of the snow; R.R. Peterson, 56.[87]
–1 Wichita, Dec 24/25. Exposure; transient, 55, in abandoned warehouse. NCDC, p. 18.[88]
–1 Locale not noted, ~Dec 22. Exposure in home, body found 26th; male, 90. NCDC, p. 18.
Kentucky (11) (Deaths Dec 23-28)
–11 Blanchard tally based on locality and/or cause of death breakouts below.
— 8 Dec 23-26. Exposure. NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 19.
— 6 Dec 23-16. Times Tribune, Corbin, KY. “Record low temperatures take…” 12-27-1983, p1.
— 5 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
Breakout of Kentucky winter weather-related fatalities by locality and/or cause, where noted:
–1 Mayfield area, Dec 20-21. Car goes out of control, icy KY Hwy 80; male, 27, thrown from car.[89]
–2 Locales not noted, Dec 27-28. Freezing rain led to “a few” fatal traffic accidents. NCDC.[90]
–8 Locales not noted, Dec 23-26. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, V.25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 19.
Louisiana (15) (Deaths Dec 16-31)
–15 Blanchard tally of locality and/or cause breakouts below:
— 5 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
Breakout of Louisiana winter weather-related fatalities by locality and/or cause of death:
— 2 Shreveport area, Dec 16. Car slides into truck on icy bridge; father and daughter, 8.[91]
— 1 Tallulah, ~Dec 31. Fire started to keep family warm triggers a blaze; girl, 2-years-old.[92]
— 1 Winnfield area, ~Dec 27. Car skids off icy Louisiana 34, crashes; boy, 5-years-old.[93]
–11 Locales not noted, Dec 22-26. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, V25, N12, Dec 1983, p. 11.
Maryland ( 8) (Deaths Dec 22-31)
–8 Dec 22-26. Blanchard tally based on locality and/or cause of death breakouts below.
–1 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
Breakout of Maryland winter weather-related fatalities by locality and/or cause of death:
–1 Baltimore, Dec 31. Apparent exposure; body of elderly woman found in unheated house.[94]
–1 Brooklyn Park area, Dec 22. Vehicular accident on icy road, out-of-control car hits pole.[95]
–1 Calloway area, St. Mary’s Co., Dec 28. Car went out of control on icy MD 5 into pillar.[96]
–1 West Friendship, Dec 28. Car went out of control into anther on icy MD 32; William Ryan.[97]
–4 Locales not noted, Dec 24-26. Exposure; males. NCDC, Storm Data, 25/12, Dec 1983, p. 21.
Michigan (12) (Deaths Dec 16-27)
–12 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
— 6 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
Breakout of Michigan winter weather-related fatalities by locality:
–1 Baraga area, Dec 16-18. Snowmobile accident; William M. Bergerson, 28.[98]
–5 Detroit and Jackson, Dec 23-25. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, V25, N12, Dec 1983, p. 11.
–2 Detroit area, Dec 23. Hypothermia. Storm Data, p. 21.
–1 Detroit, Dec 24. Exposure/froze. Storm Data, p. 21. (Shirley McKay, 28[99])
–1 Detroit, Dec 25. Exposure after slipping on ice. Storm Data, p. 22. Female, 47.[100]
–1 Jackson, Dec 25. Exposure/froze. Storm Data, p. 22.
–1 Detroit, Dec 25-27. Exposure to cold; unidentified man found frozen in parked car.[101]
–4 Ludington area, US 31. Car skids out of control on icy road into path of semi-trailer.[102]
–1 Southfield, Dec 25-27. Exposure to cold after locking himself out of his house.[103]
Minnesota ( 8) (Deaths Dec 13-22)
–1 St. Peter area, Dec 13. Three-car pileup attributed to snowstorm; man.[104]
–1 Locale not noted, Dec 17-26. Exposure.[105]
–4 Locales not noted, Dec 15-22. “…fires blamed on overheated furnaces or wood stoves.”[106]
–1 Locale not noted, Dec 13. Heart attack shoveling snow; man.[107]
–1 Locale not noted, Dec 13. Vehicular accident; tractor plowing snow collided with truck.[108]
Mississippi (11) (Deaths Dec 16-31) Pickup Dec 29
–11 Laurel Leader-Call. “11th Death Linked To Cold.” 1-2-1984, p. 3.[109]
–10 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
— 8 AP. “Gradual Warming Expected This Weekend.” Laurel-Leader-Call, MS, 12-29-1983, p1.
— 6 Assoc. Press. “Temperatures to Drop Again.” Laurel Leader-Call, MS, 12-28-1983, p. 1.
— 4 Dec 24-25. Hypothermia, elderly. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 22.
Breakout of Mississippi winter weather-related fatalities by locality and/or cause, where noted:
–1 Collinsville area, Dec 25. Exposure after falling outside home; Algie Gibson, 82. NCDC, p22.
–1 Greenwood area, Dec 16. Tractor-trailer flips on icy Rt. 82, slides into service station, crushes car.[110]
–1 Hattiesburg, Dec 27. Electrocuted while working on broken water pipe; Jessie Long, 47.[111]
–1 Holly Springs area, US 78, Dec 16. Vehicular fatality on icy US 78.[112]
–1 Meehan area, Dec 24. Exposure to cold (NCDC, p. 22). Ida Bell Jones, 91.[113]
–1 Meridian, Dec 25. Hypothermia in home; no electricity, just small gas heater. NCDC, 22.[114]
–1 Meridian, Dec 31/Jan 1. Exposure to cold on back steps of home; Eddie Booker Jr.[115]
–1 Natchez, Dec 25. Hypothermia at home (NCDC, p. 22); Leslie Alfred Stampley, 72.[116]
–1 Toomsuba, Dec 28. Exposure; body found in utility house near home; Iuless Edwards, 53.[117]
–1 US 61, Dec 16. Three-car wreck on icy road with heavy snow.[118]
Missouri (13) (Deaths Dec 15-23)
–13 Blanchard tally based on locality and/or cause breakouts below.
— ? NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 11. [Question mark is in NCDC.]
Breakout of Missouri winter weather-related fatalities by locality and/or cause, where noted:
–1 Bolivar area, MO-13, Dec 19. Driver apparently blinded by snow, loses control, hits another car.[119]
–1 Carthage area, Hwy. 96, Dec 19. Driver lost control on snow-packed hwy.; slid into car; Gibbs, 67.[120]
–1 Independence, ~Dec 15. Truck skids in to tractor-trailer on icy street; male, 54.[121]
–1 Kansas City, Dec 23. Car skids off icy bridge into river; man.[122]
–2 Pine Lawn, ~Dec 23. Home fire; firefighters unable to fight fire; frozen water lines.[123]
–6 St. Louis, 17th-23rd. “…authorities said six people had died this week from…hypothermia.”[124]
–1 Dec 22. Exposure; “apartment warmed only by an electric heater…” Howard Spears, 97.[125]
–1 Webb City, Dec 22. Fire thought started from space heater; Morris G. Bowman, 58.[126]
Montana ( 8) (Deaths Dec 16-29)
–8 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–4 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
Breakout of Montana winter weather-related fatalities by locality, where noted:
–4 Dec 16, 21, 23, 25. Exposure. NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 22.
–1 Alberton, Dec 23. Hypothermia after walking to store and back; female, 64.
–1 Custer Co., Dec 21. Exposure; car snowbound, tried to walk mile to home; male, 80.
–1 Glendive, Dec 25. Exposure in unheated home; male, 83. NCDC Storm Data, p. 22.
–1 Phillips Co., Dec 16. Exposure trying to walk to town after car died, -20°; elderly male.
–2 Arlee, Dec 29. Inner-tube sledding accident; females, 16-years-old each.[127]
–2 Glacier Nat. Park area, ~Dec 17. Car slid on icy road into logging truck; killing occupants.[128]
Nebraska ( 7) (Deaths Dec 22 & 28)
–7 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–4 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
Breakout of Nebraska winter weather-related deaths by locality:
–1 Geneva area, no date. Teen loses control of car on windy, snowy road.[129]
–3 Greeley area, no date. Truck runs into snow-disabled vehicles; children killed.[130]
–2 Omaha, Dec 22 & 28. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 11.
–1 Omaha, Dec 22. Elderly woman found frozen to death in her backyard.
–1 Omaha, Dec 28. Woman found frozen to death on downtown Omaha street.
–1 Locale and date not noted. Heart attack shoveling snow.[131]
New Hampshire (1) (Death Dec 20)
–1 Tuftonboro, Dec 20. Car slides out of control, icy Rt. 171, hits tree; Lindsey Mansfield, 22-mo.[132]
New Jersey ( 8) (Deaths By Dec 26)
–8 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
–6 Dec 17-26. Traffic accidents.[133]
–5 ~Dec 20-23. Traffic deaths on slick roads.[134]
–2 Dec 17-26. Exposure; two homeless people.[135]
New Mexico ( 1) (Death Dec 25)
–1 Clovis, Dec 25. Exposure; body found on abandoned house porch; below freezing temp.[136]
New York (28) (Deaths Dec 17-29)
–28 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–24 Dec 17-29. AP. “Winter death toll rising.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 12-30-1983, 2A.
–20 Exposure
Breakout of New York winter weather-related fatalities by locality where noted.
— 1 Cuyler, Dec 23. Weather-related two-car accident; Walter L. Goodrich of De Ruyter.[137]
— 1 Fabius, Onondaga Co., Dec 24. Home fire; propone weed burner on frozen pipes.[138]
— 1 Ghent, Dec 24. Exposure; girl, 2, apparently locked herself out of home, wearing pajamas.[139]
— 1 Goshen, Dec 29. Car accident on ice-covered road; Male, 83. NCDC Storm Data 25/12, 23.
— 1 Kingston area, Dec 22. Weather-related vehicular accident; Richard M. Dow, 57, of LaGrange[140]
— 1 Liverpool area, I-81, Dec 23. Truck skids on ice into bridge abutment; John S. Keys, 63.[141]
— 1 Malone, Dec 26. Pickup out of control, icy Rt. 11, hits snow embankment; Naida Sampson, 65.[142]
–14 New York City, Dec 23-25. Exposure; six on the street, abandoned buildings, or subways.[143]
— 1 Ogdensburg, Dec 27. Vehicular accident. “Icy road conditions were…a contributing factor.[144]
— 1 Putnam Co., Rt. 6, Dec 22. Car hits icy patch on road, goes out of control; Joseph Bailey, 23.[145]
— 5 Locales not noted, Dec 17-29. Exposure (NYT notes 20, we note locations of 15.)
North Carolina (25-27) (Deaths Dec 24-28)
–27 AP. “Winter death toll rising.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 12-30-1983, 2A.
–27 AP. “State Death Toll is Now 27 From Weather-Related Incidents.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-29-1983, 1.
–7 Traffic accidents on “ice-slicked highways.” Dec 27-28.
–25 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–16 AP. “Arctic air kills 16 before leaving Tar Heel state.” Burlington Times-News, NC, 12-28-1983, 2A.
–14 AP. “Cold wave sets records across state.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 12-27-1983, p1.
–13 AP. “13 N.C. Deaths Attributed to Cold Weather.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-27-1983, 1.[146]
–7 Exposure.
— 7 Dec 24-31. Exposure/hypothermia. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 11.
Breakout of North Carolina winter weather-related fatalities by locality and/or cause of death:
–1 Alamance County, Lewis Graham Rd., Dec 25. Hypothermia; shed that served as home.[147]
–1 Asheville, I-40, Dec 27-28. Vehicular accident blamed on icy road; Eugene W. Meeker, 84.[148]
–1 Banner Elk area, Avery Co., Dec 27-28. Vehicular accident blamed on icy road; Weatherford.[149]
–1 Charlotte, Dec 28. Car skids on icy into tree and guardrail and over a bridge; Ronnie Avery.[150]
–3 Durham, Dec 25. Fire; bedroom kerosene heater explodes while being filled.[151]
–1 Farmville, Dec 25. Exposure after fall and hitting head in carport; Alfred B. Williams, 63.[152]
–1 Fayetteville, Dec 25. Frozen body found on city sidewalk; Robert James Kendall, 60.[153]
–1 Greensboro, Dec 25. Exposure; body found in field ~200 yards from home; Dorothy Thompson.[154]
–1 Hatteras Inlet, Dec 28. Drowning/exposure; large wave hits fishing boat; Royce W. Fulcher, 51.[155]
–2 Hickory, Dec 28. Car hits slick spot on Blue Ridge Parkway and crashes; Bowman brothers.[156]
–1 Jacksonville, Dec 26. Hypothermia; found dead in unheated home; Grover Lee Horner, 64.[157]
–1 Manteo, Dec 27. Drowning; fell through pond ice near home; Troy Lee McDonald, 14.[158]
–1 Mebane, Dec 25. Hypothermia & heart attack; poorly heated home; Everna Brown Lumpkin, 63.[159]
–1 Mebane area, McBane Store Rd., Dec 26. Heart attack thought brought on by walk in cold.[160]
–1 Mt. Airy, Surry Co., Dec 27-28. Vehicular accident, icy road; Jack Portis, 54.[161]
–1 Raleigh, Dec 25. Exposure; unemployed Barney E. Lee, 55, found dead, downtown street.[162]
–1 Rocky Mount, Dec 23. Exposure; frozen body found ~3 miles from home by a hunter.[163]
–1 Rowland, Dec 25. Home fire thought due to faulty wood stove; James VanDerhall, 68.[164]
–1 Taylorsville, Dec 27. Vehicular collision “along icy N.C. 90…” Jody Shawn Milsaps, 15.[165]
–1 Wilmington, Dec 25. Exposure. Body found dead on city sidewalk, Mattie Jones, 61.[166]
–1 Wilmington, Dec 26. Heart attack fleeing burning home; Ernest Lane.[167]
North Dakota ( 5) (Deaths Dec 15-26)
–5 Blanchard tally from locality and/or cause breakouts below.
–2 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
Breakout of North Dakota winter weather-related deaths by locality, where noted:
–3 Durham, ~Dec 26. Fire started by kerosene heater explosion; man and two children.[168]
–1 Mandan, ~Dec 15/16. Exposure; woman found apparently frozen 20 ft from mobile home.[169]
–1 Locale not noted, by Dec 22. Truck crash attributed to the weather.[170]
Ohio ( 9) (Deaths Dec 23-30)
–9 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–8 AP. “Crazy quilt storm patterns hit Ohio.” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH, 12-29-1983, C1.
–5 State, Dec 23-30. Exposure. NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 11.
Breakout of Ohio winter weather-related deaths by locality, where noted:
–1 Akron, Dec 24. Froze in garage after locking himself out of house; Male, 77. NCDC, p. 24.[171]
–1 Chatham Township, Dec 24. Hypothermia in home, day after heating coal delivered; Eiben.[172]
–2 Cleveland, Dec 27. Exposure; unheated home; female, 86, husband, age not noted. NCDC.[173]
–1 Green Twp., Dec 23. Hypothermia after collapse from frostbite and stove went out; male, 97.[174]
–1 Hamilton, Dec 26. Apparent exposure; female found in house with door open, heat not on.[175]
–1 Sciotoville area, Dec 28. Driver of car that hit back of tractor-trailer on icy US 52; Phipps.[176]
–1 Weston area, Dec 28. Car slid off snow-covered US 6, into tree; William Vanvoorhis, 26.[177]
–1 Wickliffe, Dec 30. Transient man, 51, found frozen, outdoor drive-in movie crawl-space.[178]
Oklahoma (16-19) (Deaths Dec 19-25)
–19 AP. “Winter death toll rising.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 12-30-1983, 2A.
–16 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
— 9 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
Breakout of Oklahoma winter weather-related fatalities by locality where we have seen reports:
–1 Muskogee, Dec 22. Exposure in home; apparently left doors open; female, 73. Storm Data, p. 25.
–1 Oklahoma City, Dec 22. Exposure outside home; male, 63, slipped and fell. Storm Data, p.25.
–1 Tulsa, Dec 19. Man living in a truck apparently froze to death. NCDC Storm Data, 25/12, p.25.
–1 Tulsa, Dec 25. Hypothermia; man found dead in his yard. NCDC Storm Data, 25/12, p.25.
–1 I-35, Dec 21. Car slid across ice-covered I-35 across median into oncoming truck.[179]
–6 Locales not noted, Dec 27. Accidents on icy roads.[180]
–2 Locale not noted, by Dec 22. Carbon monoxide poisoning in cabin.[181]
–2 Locale not noted, Dec 17-26. Plane crash.[182]
–1 Locale not noted, by Dec 22. Snowmobile accident.[183]
Oregon (15) (Deaths Dec 19-29)
–15 Statewide, Dec 19-29. NCDC, Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 25.
–13 Statewide, Dec 19-26. Winter weather. NCDC Storm Data, 25/12, Dec 1983, p. 25.
— 2 Northeast & Southern Cascades. Snowstorm. NCDC Storm Data, 25/12, 1983, p.25.
— 3 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
Pennsylvania (15) (Deaths Dec 17-29)
–15 Blanchard tally based on locality and/or cause-of-death breakouts below.
–9 Vehicular accidents on icy and/or snow-covered roads.
–4 Exposure to cold/hypothermia.
–2 Falls on ice.
–12 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–Breakout of Pennsylvania winter weather-related fatalities by locality and/or cause:
–9 Eastern PA, Dec, 24-28. NCDC, Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 26.
–4 Dec 24-27. Exposure; elderly. NCDC. Storm Data, V25, N12, Dec 1983, p. 26.
–2 Dec 28. Falling on ice, hitting their heads; two elderly men. Storm Data, p. 26.
–3 Dec 28. Vehicle accidents on icy roads. NCDC. Storm Data, V25, N12, p. 26.[184]
–6 Statewide, Dec 17-26. Vehicular accidents.[185]
Breakout of Pennsylvania winter weather-related fatalities by locality, where noted:
–1 Abbottstown, Dec 25. Hypothermia; unheated house, windows broken out; Daisy Runk, 51.[186]
–1 Allenwood, Dec 22. Car skids on ice and snow-covered road into path of tractor-trailer.[187]
–1 Blairsville, Dec 29. Slipped on ice and struck his head on 28th; Thomas O. Porter, 62.[188]
–1 Carmichaels area, Dec 28. Car slides into pickup on icy PA 88; Jeri Cheripko, 42.[189]
–1 Charleston, Charleston Co., Dec 25. Exposure; body found in back seat of junked taxicab.[190]
–1 Derry area, Dec 28. Car goes out of control on icy Rt. 217, collides with another; Munchinski.[191]
–1 Gettysburg area, Adams Co., Dec 22. Car skidded on icy road into tree; Ida D. Bright, 23.[192]
–1 Gettysburg area, Dec 28. Car skids on icy Rt. 15 off embankment north of Rt. 97; Timmerman.[193]
–1 Gettysburg area, Dec 28. Trucker loses control of semi on Rt. 15 near Steinwehr Ave exit.[194]
–1 Mansfield, Dec 28. Jeep skids on icy PA 660 into ditch, killing driver; Lilian Porres, 52.[195]
–1 Oil City, Dec 27. Hypothermia/cardiac arrest; home, no 1st floor heat, space heaters on 2nd.[196]
–1 Smithfield Township, Dec 22. Van collision with utility pole attributed to snowy, icy road.[197]
–1 Susquehanna Twp., Dec 23. Car goes out of control on icy snow-covered I-81; hit by semi.[198]
South Carolina (29) (Deaths Dec 17-31)
–29 Statewide, Dec 15-31 extreme cold. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 11.
–27 Statewide, Dec 25, cold wave. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, p. 26.
— 2 Statewide, Dec 30-31, cold wave. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, p. 27.
–24 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–21 AP. “Winter death toll rising.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 12-30-1983, 2A.
–18 Dec 17-29. Exposure.
— 3 Dec 17-29. Weather-related fires.
–18 Dec 25-27. AP. “State Still Feels Wicked Weather.” Aiken Standard, SC, 12-28-1983, 8B.
Breakout of South Carolina winter weather-related fatalities by locality, where noted:
–1 Aiken, Aiken County, Dec 26. Exposure; body found in neighborhood yard; Dora Jordan.[199]
–1 Anderson, Anderson Co., Dec 25. Wood-stove fire at home; Willie Mauldin, 80.[200]
–1 Columbia, Richland County, Dec 25/26. Exposure; Alexander Watkins, 56.[201]
–1 Columbia, Richland County, State Farmer’s Market, Dec 26. Exposure; James Faulk, 48.[202]
–1 Columbia, Richland Co., Dec 25/26. “…freezing temperatures contributed to…death.” Willie Ruff, 70.[203]
–1 Fort Mill, York Co., Dec 31. Exposure; found frozen on path between home and sister’s; Long.[204]
–7 Greenville County, Dec 24-29. Weather-related deaths.[205]
–1 Greenville, Dec 25. Exposure; Mrs. Alice Acker, 67.[206]
–1 Greenville, Dec 26. Exposure; Matthew Townes Jr., 61.[207]
–2 Greenville, Greenville County, Dec 27. Exposure at home.[208]
–1 Taylors, Dec 25. Exposure; Wyman Robinson, 69.[209]
–1 Greenville, Dec 26. Fire caused by two-burner kerosene stove used to heat home.[210]
–1 Lady’s Island, Beaufort County, Dec 27. Exposure; unheated home; Rebecca Jenkins, 83.[211]
–1 Lancaster, Dec 30. Exposure; found ~8 am in neighbor’s carport, 20° temp.; Dallas Starnes, 83.[212]
–1 Laurens County, Dec 28. Exposure behind home; Jears Young, 105-years-old.[213]
–1 Pageland, Chesterfield County, Dec 25. Exposure; Carson Funderburk.[214]
–1 Piedmont, Anderson Co., Dec 27. Exposure; baby, 9-mo., sleeping in farmhouse pasteboard box.[215]
–1 Reevesville, Dorchester County, Dec 26. Exposure; body found in front of cold fireplace.[216]
–1 Spartanburg, Spartanburg Co., Dec 25. Exposure and fire; partially frozen body found in rubble.[217]
–1 Spartanburg, Spartanburg Co. ~Dec 25. Exposure; body found near creekbed behind his house.[218]
–1 Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, Dec 28. Exposure; General Lee Gist, 70.[219]
–1 Sumter, Sumter County, Dec 25. Exposure; body found in abandoned chair along street.[220]
–1 Swansea, Lexington Co., Dec 25. Wood-burning stove ignited blanket worn by Jimmy Harrison, 85.[221]
South Dakota ( 2) (Deaths Dec 17-26)
–1 Sioux Falls Airport, Dec 20. Ozark Airlines DC-9 hits snow sweeper, killing driver.[222]
–1 Locale not noted, Dec 17-26. Exposure, elderly person.[223]
Tennessee (10) (Deaths Dec 19-31)
–10 Blanchard tally from locality and or cause-of-death breakouts below.
Breakout of Tennessee winter weather-related fatalities by locality and/or cause, where noted:
–1 Bartlett, Dec 27. Exposure; unheated house; female, 87. NCDC. Storm Data, 25/12, p. 27.
–1 Blount County, 27th. Slip and fall on icy patio; male, 71. NCDC. Storm Data, 25/12, p. 27.
–1 Bristol, 27th. Hypothermia; heat had gone off in home; female, 85. Storm Data, 25/12, p. 27.
–1 Clarksville, Dec 27. Exposure; unheated house; male, 63. NCDC. Storm Data, 25/12, p. 27.
–1 Nashville, Dec 27. Exposure; just outside home; male, 71. NCDC. Storm Data, 25/12, p. 27.
–5 Statewide, Dec 27. Highway accidents on icy roads.[224]
–3 Locales not noted, 19th-31st. Road accidents, icy roads. NCDC. Storm Data, 25/12, p. 27.[225]
Texas (28) (Deaths Dec 15-31)
–38 10-days. UPI. “Texas is expected to thaw.” Brownsville Herald, TX, 12-30-1983, 2A.[226]
–37 Odessa American, TX. “Weather: Warmer.” 12-31-1987, p. 2.
–35 Dec 17-29. AP. “Winter death toll rising.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 12-30-1983, 2A.
–33 Dec 17-27. AP. “Weather” (cont. A1), New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung, TX, 12-28-1983, 8A.
–28 Blanchard tally based on breakouts below.
–18 UPI (Pamela Sherrod). “Freezing weather halts Christmas mail; 137 dead. 12-24-1983.
–15 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
–13 NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 11.
— 6 North TX, Dec 18-30. Mostly elderly; froze to death in homes. Storm Data, p. 28.
— 7 Western TX, ~Dec 15-31. Cold winter weather. NCDC. Storm Data, 25/12, p. 29.
Breakout by locality of Texas winter weather-related fatalities, where we have seen reporting:
–1 Amarillo, Dec 19. Exposure? “…cold…contributed to his death.” Claude Vaughn, 68.[227]
–1 Amarillo, Dec 21. Exposure; frozen body found in his home; Ruben Dean, 91.[228]
–1 Corpus Christi, Dec 24. Home fire started by space heater near bed; female, 2-years-old.[229]
–1 Dallas, Dec 19. House fire caused by space heater; Arthur Lee Giddings, 60.[230]
–1 Dallas, Dec 20. Exposure; unheated boarding house room; died in hospital, Arthur Garrett, 82.[231]
–1 Dallas, Dec 21. Burns; clothes caught fire by space heater; Terry Lynn Lewis, 7-years-old.[232]
–1 Denton, Dec 19. Vehicular accident on icy Lake Dallas Bridge; Lewisville male, 20.[233]
–2 East Caney area, Dec 23. Drownings; boys, 8 and 9, fall through thin ice on pond.[234]
–1 El Paso, Dec 19. Exposure after crawling under overpass to keep warm; male transient, 46.[235]
–1 Eldorado, Dec 27. Tractor-trailer overturns on icy road killing driver; Jake Garcia.[236]
–1 Fort Worth, Dec 19. House fire blamed on space heater; Bertha Prince, 72.[237]
–1 Fort Worth, ~Dec 23. Exposure; Body found frozen in back of a van; male, 67.[238]
–1 Grandview, Dec 18. House fire started by kitchen stove used as heater; female, 8-years.[239]
–6 Hart. CO poisoning; family in small house, defective gas heater. NCDC, Storm Data, 25/12, 29.[240]
–1 Huntsville, Dec 23. Fire believed to have started from wood-burning stove; male, 90s.[241]
–1 North TX, Dec 15-16. Driver lost control of car on slick highway. Storm Data, 25/12, p.28.
–1 Panhandle, Dec 22. Back hoe operator digging out frozen water line backs over male, 26.[242]
–1 Plainview, Dec 20. “…crash blamed on ice-coated roads…” Heather Steffe, 9-years-old.[243]
–1 San Antonio, Dec 23. Burns, space heater catches dress on fire; female, 84.[244]
–1 Sherman area, Dec 27. Tractor-trailer collides with car; couldn’t stop in time on ice-glazed road.[245]
–1 Sweetwater, Dec 30. Fire from gas heater turned up in weather in teens; Julie Anderson, 9.[246]
–1 Wichita Falls, Dec 27. Exposure; lived in small shack behind abandoned gas station; Anderson.[247]
Utah ( 4) Deaths Dec 17-26)
–4 Dec 17-24. Traffic accidents.[248]
–2 Salt Lake City area, Dec 17. Traffic accident on storm-related slick highway; woman and son.[249]
–1 Locale not noted, by Dec 22. Traffic fatality (separate incident from SLC).[250]
Virginia ( 7) (Deaths Dec 24-27)
–5 Dec 24-27. Exposure. NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 29.
–1 Portsmouth, Dec 24/25. Exposure; found dead in neighbor’s yard; Harold Hall, 80.[251]
–1 Portsmouth, Dec 24-25. Apparent exposure outside; Oscar Powell, 67.[252]
–1 Galax; ~Dec 26. Fire though started by overheated wood stove; Pearl Collins, 84.[253]
–1 Locale not noted, Dec 17-26. Pedestrian hit by bus.[254]
Washington ( 9) (Deaths Dec 17-29)
–9 AP. “Warming temperatures bring avalanche danger.” Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 12-30-1983, 1.[255]
–9 Blanchard tally based on locality and/or cause breakout below.
–5 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
Breakout of Washington winter weather-related fatalities by locality and/or cause:
–1 Mount Rainier north flank, Dec 29 from injuries Dec 28 ice avalanche; Chris Gentry, 19.[256]
–1 Seattle, ~Dec 19. Apparent heart attack throwing sand under snowbound bus tires; driver.[257]
–2 Eastern WA, Hwy. 101. Car hits slushy spot after new snow, goes off road; Hillstrom children.[258]
–1 Western WA, Dec 21. Drowning after falling through thin lake ice trying to rescue duck.[259]
–1 Western WA, Dec 21. Hypothermia after falling into an icy lake; young boy.[260]
–2 Locale not noted, ~Dec 24-25. Fire started by heater; elderly couple.[261]
–1 Locale not noted, by Dec 29. Vehicular; car slides backward on icy hill; girl, 14-months.[262]
West Virginia ( 1) (Death Dec 24-26)
–1 NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 11.
–1 Charlestown, Dec 24-26. Woman froze to death. NCDC Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, p. 30.
Wisconsin (10) (Deaths Dec 14-25)
–10 Blanchard tally based on locality and/or cause breakouts below. (Does not include the fire.)
— 9 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
Breakout of Wisconsin winter weather-related fatalities by locality and/or cause of death:
–1 Edgerton, Dec 23. Exposure? Found in alley behind hotel; -12° when found; Paul Skar, 65.[263]
–1 Kenosha, Dec 15. Car slides out of control, icy Hwy 158, into car; Sue Ellen Shumway, 21.[264]
–1 Kenosha, Dec 22. Apparent heart attack clearing snow at home; Raymond Kirk, 79.[265]
–1 Kenosha, Dec 23. Apparent heart attack; car stalls, temps. down to -25°; driver died; Crisp.[266]
–1 Kenosha, Dec 24. Apparent heart attack trying to start car in very frigid weather; man, 57.[267]
–1 Madison, Dec 22. Apparent heart attack after shoveling snow; found dead wearing snow-gear.[268]
–1 Milwaukee, Dec 24. Exposure. Found dead lying in snow beside her porch; female, 61.[269]
–1 Mount Horeb, Dec 14. Thrown from tractor plowing snow from driveway; Vergene Jenson, 46.[270]
–1 Sheboygan Falls, Dec 25. CO poisoning; apartment heating system; Robert Kesweder, 31.[271]
–1 Walworth, Dec 24. Car hits snowdrift and goes into ditch; passenger Margaret Crowley, 83.[272]
–5 Withee, Dec 20. House fire set off by wood furnace; five children, 5 months to 10 years.[273]
Wyoming ( 2) (Deaths Dec 17-26)
–2 AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
–1 Locale not noted, by Dec 22. Snowmobile crash.[274]
–1 Locale not noted, Dec 17-26. Asphyxiation.[275]
Narrative Information
Overview
NCDC, Dec 15-31, Extreme Cold: “December 15-31, 1983. A series of bitter cold, arctic air masses began penetrating the midsection of the U.S. on December 15th, causing record low temperatures and extreme wind-chills over much of the eastern two-thirds of the nation through the remainder of the month…. The coldest days centered on the Christmas Holiday…The abnormally cold temperatures were responsible for at least 151 deaths throughout the country. Although the northern states encountered colder temperatures for a longer period, most of the deaths were concentrated in the southern states where people are unprepared for such a long period of freezing temperatures. Many of the victims were elderly people who died of hypothermia in their unheated homes.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 11.)
NCDC, Dec 15-16, Snowstorm: “Combining with the first wave of cold air to push southward, an overnight, an overnight storm dumped up to 10 inches of heavy snow in the south-central states on the evening of December 15th and into the morning of the 16th. The snow fell in an east-west band extending along the Red River Valley, much of northeast Texas, and eastward to northern Mississippi. The snow greatly disrupted area transportation since snowfalls of any accumulation are rarely received. Data supplied by NWSFOs at Little Rock, AR; Slidell, LA; Jackson, MS: Oklahoma City, OK; and Fort Worth, TX.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 11.)
Narrative Information of General Nature, Chronological:
Dec 15: “A storm nearing blizzard strength clogged cities across the Midwest with chest-high snowdrifts Thursday [15th] , and hundreds of schools closed with the wind chill at a dangerous 60 degrees below zero in places. The icy storms of a record autumn kept coming and th death toll from violent weather this week climbed to ten. The latest storm dumped almost 2 feet of new snow in parts of Colorado and Utah, where avalanches closed roads to some ski resorts in the Wasatch Mountains, and forecasters warned still another blow would hit the Rockies by Friday. The 21 inches of new snow during the night at the Alta ski resort near Salt Lake City set a new record for November and December at a total of almost 24 feet.
“Six deaths were blamed on the earlier snowstorm which had pushed into the Midwest and unloaded another foot of snow in cities such as Minneapolis and Duluth, Minn., which now has a total of 63 inches this fall.
“Minneapolis and St. Paul had another 3.4 inches Thursday, for a record snowfall in a calendar year. Since Jan 1, 95.1 inches have fallen on the Twin Cities, and there’s still half a month to go. Omaha, Neb., also reached an annual record with 64.1 inches….
“Schools closed in many areas as snow fell from the Rockies to the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley south to New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle. The wind chill factor was a brutal 60 degrees below zero in parts of North Dakota as winds gusted to 40 mph in subzero temperatures and officials warned residents to stay indoors.
“Among the weather victims was a 79-year-old resident of Lancaster, Kan., who walked out of his house to mail some letters Wednesday and was found dead in a field Thursday, the body frozen. A woman who wasn’t properly dressed for the cold was found dead shortly after 8 a.m. Thursday in Mandan, in south-central North Dakota, the apparent victim of exposure to the cold, authorities said. The overnight low temperature was 3 degrees above zero, but the weather service said the wind chill reached abut 40 below….
“Many highways were blocked by drifting snow or abandoned cars and travel was chaotic with countless accidents on snow-covered roads in cities such as Omaha, Kansas City, Mo. and St. Louis. In Fargo, N.D., many streets were clogged and police said outlying roads also were drifted shut and advised residents not to try to travel outside the city. Snowplows surrendered to the blowing snow during the morning in parts of South Dakota and Minnesota.” (AP. “Treacherous snowstorm buries Midwest.” Playground Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 12-16-1983, 1-2.)
Dec 16: “After dumping snow on Colorado for 34 straight days, the stormy autumn of ’83 turned its fury on Texas and Oklahoma today with a half-foot of highway-slicking snow and clutched the Midwest with wind-chilled temperatures down to 43 below zero.
“A stubborn storm in the Great Lakes, meanwhile, turned into a snow machine, with a foot of snow that fell Thursday at Marquette, Mich., topped by 4 more inches today. From Utah to Minnesota, records were falling as fast a the snow. The 3.9 inches that hit Minneapolis and St. Paul on Thursday brought the year’s total to a record 95.1 inches; in Omaha, Neb., the total stood at a record 64.1 inches; and 21 inches of new snow at the Alta ski resort near Salt Lake City set a new record for November and December of 284 inches.
“The death toll from the past few days’ weather rose to 10, including a woman found apparently frozen to death less than 20 feet from a mobile home in Mandan, N.D., and two people who drowned in central Pennsylvania in flood-causing rain that finally subsided Thursday.
“Travelers’ advisories warning of icy roads went up today for nearly all of northern Texas and Oklahoma as the southern storm lumbered across the region, Wichita, Texas, got 6 inches in six hours by early morning, while Amarillo had 4 inches and Waurika, Okla., was quickly blanketed by 5 inches with more falling. To the north, it snowed today in all or parts of Michigan, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, western Pennsylvania and western New York.” (Associated Press. “Storm chills nation’s midsection.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 12-16-1983, A2.)
Dec 17: “Arctic air and blowing snow kept the lid on the freezer Saturday [17th] in the Great Plains, where temperatures plunged to well below zero and wind-chill factors fell to 60 below. The severe, winter-like weather spread from the northern Rockies to the East Coast and forecasters said more bitter temperatures would come rolling down the Rockies and head east….
“The low Saturday in Great Falls was 27 below, which tied a record for the date set in 1924. The wind-chill factor was 60 below in Havre. Mason City, Iowa, residents, their town under 13 inches of snow, awoke to readings of 18 below, a record. It was 11 below in Sioux City and 9 below in Waterloo. It was 15 below in Minneapolis on Saturday, a reading that broke a record set in 1953. Another record was set in International Falls, Minn. — 30 below, cold enough to send the wind chill to 50 below….The 9 below reading in Omaha, Neb., tied a record set two years ago. The record broken in La Cross, Wis., was 108 years old. It was 18 below there….
“Temperatures in the South, meanwhile, rose above freezing and the sun peeked out, ending a blast of cold weather that coated whole sections of Dixie with snow Friday. Nearly all of Mississippi got at least a dusting of snow. Up to 9 inches blanketed parts of northwestern Louisiana and a lot remained on yards and rooftops Saturday….Arkansas Power & Light Co. had 42 work crews out Saturday restoring electricity to 4,000 customers after a 10-inch snowfall in the southern part of the state.
“Freezing air from the north collided with wet air from the Gulf of Mexico and brought snow to Colorado. Snow in the mountains scuttled Civil Air Patrol plans to search for a single-engine plane piloted by a retired Air Force major general. The craft was last seen on radar near Fairplay, Colo., 100 miles southwest of Denver….
“The death toll rose Saturday when Mississippi authorities reported two storm-related fatal traffic accidents that occurred Friday. Q woman and her 12-year-old son were killed Saturday in an accident on a slick highway outside Salt Lake City.” (Associated Press. “No warming in sight!” The Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 12-18-1983, p. 1.)
Dec 19: “With winter still two days away, a bone-chilling preview refused to bow out today in the Great Plains, shattering dozens of records as the mercury stuck below zero — in some places, 30 to 40 degrees below — from Minnesota to Texas. The arctic weather was expected to last at least until midweek as a frigid front stalled over the nation’s heartland, bringing snow to northern Texas, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma and icy temperatures throughout the Midwest, the National Weather Service said today. Thirty-five cities reported record-breaking lows by midnight Sunday, and by 2 a.m. today the low point had reached 40 below zero in Williston, N.D….Temperatures in some spots were the coldest in a century. Dubuque, Iowa, reached 20 below, breaking a record set in 1877. La Crosse, Wis., hit 25 below, shattering the mark set in 1884. And thermometers in Waseca, Minn., fell to 32 below, breaking a record from 1916.
“There was also the cutting chill of the wind, which made it feel twice as cold in some places. In Watford City, N.D., where the wind made it feel like 60 below, police Lt. John Schoenhoff said officers were willing to ‘shake their fingers’ at minor traffic infractions to avoid getting out of their cruisers….
“With the cold front creeping east, forecasters warned the central Gulf states to expect unseasonable weather by tonight, and New England and the Atlantic Coast to brace for a freeze on Tuesday or Wednesday….At 8 p.m. CST Sunday [18th], the temperature was 10 below zero at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, one degree lower than the record set in 1844.” (Assoc. Press. “Winter preview hits Great Plains.” Havre Daily News, MT, 12-19-1983, p. 1.)
Dec 19-20: “America’s heartland shivered into its fourth day of record-breaking cold as a frigid blast from the Arctic sent chills from the Pacific to the Potomac today, stalling cars, bursting pipes, closing schools and causing at least 22 deaths. With temperatures well below zero across the northern third of the nation, the National Weather Service predicted that scattered snow would add insult to injury from the Rockies to the Great Lakes. But falling flakes were only a sidelight to the main show — a miserably to the main show — a miserably stagnant deep freeze that covered much of the country.
“Forty-seven cities reported low temperatures that tied or broke records for the date on Monday [Dec 19], including such cold spots as Eau Claire, Wis., with 31 below, Mason City, Iowa, with 26 below, and Williston, N.D., with 40 below. Harrison, Wis., took the day’s icy trophy with a low of 44 below. Three Minnesota cities set new lows for the date this morning [Dec 20]: Duluth, 34 below, breaking by 13 degrees a 1970 record; International Falls, 36 below; and Rochester, minus 25.
“Strong winds made it feel even colder, and the National Weather Service said the wind chill index plunged to 72 below zero this morning in Cut Bank, which also was lashed with blowing and drifting snow. The wind chill index is a calculation that describes the combined effect of the wind and cold temperatures on outdoor activities….
“The arctic air mass is expected to drift slowly east over the next few days, bringing some relief to the Midwest but foisting winter woes on the East….
“At least 19 deaths have been attributed to the weather since the weekend, including traffic fatalities on slippery roads in Idaho, Missouri and Utah, carbon monoxide poisonings in Oklahoma and exposure deaths in Iowa. A Seattle bus driver collapsed and died while throwing sand to free his vehicle from snow, and an 8-year-old Grandview, Texas, girl died in a house fire started by a kitchen stove used as a heater.
“The polar cold combined with leftover ice and snow to make roads glass-slick in many areas, and hundreds of traffic accidents were reported. A Combs Airways plane slid off an icy runway at the Rock Springs, Wyo., airport Monday night, but none of the 31 people aboard was injured…The airport was shut until Federal Aviation Administration investigators arrive today…
“Schools were closed Monday in Pleasant Valley, Iowa, because buses wouldn’t start. A Denver high school canceled classes for Monday and today because heating pipes were damaged by the cold. And students in numerous towns in Oklahoma, Missouri and Oregon got an early holiday because it was too cold to go out. In Lander, Wyo., an electric transformer explosion Monday evening left 3,700 homes and businesses without heat as temperatures reached 15 below.” (AP. “Big chill numbs nation’s heartland.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 12-20-1983, p. 1.)
Dec 21: “Arctic weather already blamed for 36 deaths relented just long enough today to glaze highways from Texas to Indiana with freezing rain that caused ‘wrecks everywhere,’ while a new blast of cold sent the mercury in Montana down to 33 below zero. The eastern reaches of a snowstorm that rumbled down from the Rockies today spread through Nebraska, where 10 inches fell by late Tuesday, and South Dakota, Kansas, Indiana and Missouri. Forecasters predicted the snow would probably hit Ohio full strength tonight as it took aim on the Great Lakes region. ‘It doesn’t look too bright for the central United States,’ Hugh Crowther of the government’s Severe Storms Forecast Center in Kansas City, Mo., said today. He said the new cold wave would push across the Plains into the Ohio Valley and hang on ‘through the weekend.’
“In Oregon, a small but pesky storm stalled dozens of vehicles Tuesday night [20th] in the Willamette Valley, dropping only about 2 inches of snow but prompting ‘many, many calls from people concerned about their kids on their way home from college’ for Christmas, said state police Maj. Tom Phillips. Schools in Polk County were closed today.
“Where snow wasn’t a problem today, motorists in states along the Rocky Mountains storm’s southern edge faced treacherous conditions as warm air turned precipitation to rain — which froze up again as it hit the ground. ‘Every wrecker in town is doing a good business tonight,’ said a state trooper in Madisonville, Ky. The same conditions spread through northern Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas on Tuesday night and early today. An Oklahoma woman died on ice-covered Interstate 35 Tuesday nigh when her car slid across a median and slammed into an oncoming truck. Police closed a 20-mile stretch of U.S. 270 from Hartshorn to Wilburton early today when it became impassable.
“In South Dakota, an Ozark Airlines DC-9 jetliner collided with a snow sweeper after landing at Sioux Falls Airport on Tuesday, ripping a wing off the plane and starting a fire. All 82 people aboard the plane escaped injury but the driver of the sweeper was killed.
“At least 25 records for cold weather fell or were tied Tuesday.” (Associated Press. “Freezing Rain Adds to Woes.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 12-21-1983, p. 1.)
Dec 22: “Winter officially arrived today with a trans-America barrage of snow, ice and Arctic winds that set record low temperatures from Minnesota to Texas. The last bitter week of autumn killed fore than 70 people, including a woman and her three children on an icy Michigan highway. Blowing and drifting snow made driving difficult in the Rockies, snow up to 10 inches deep spread from the Mississippi River to New England and freezing rain slapped a layer of ice from New York to northern Louisiana. Texas’ worst winter storm in five years left Dallas locked in ice up to 3 inches thick, with mo immediate hope for temperatures warm enough to melt the city’s prison….
“The death toll from the past week’s cold and snow soared to at least 73, including a number of fire deaths blamed on overworked space heaters and furnaces. Roberta Padron, 24, and her three children Jeffrey 7, Deborah, 5 and 4-month-old David died when their car skidded out of control Wednesday night [21st] on U.S. 31 south of Ludington, Mich., and into the path of a southbound semi-trailer truck.
“Arctic cold sent thermometers plunging to record lows in Colorado, Wyoming, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana. The coldest temperatures were in Montana, where Butte and West Yellowstone reported readings of 43 below zero. Valentine, Neb., reached 37 degrees below — its lowest temperature of the century…
“Another round of freezing rain and snow slashed across Texas, following Wednesday’s ice storm. The storm, the worst to hit Texas since a devastating onslaught prior to New Year’s Day 1978, knocked out power to thousands of suburban utility customers, shut down airlines, closed businesses and caused major traffic jams in Dallas-Fort Worth.
“Sleet in the Washington, D.C., area closed Dulles International Airport Wednesday night and caused so many traffic accidents police from Baltimore to northern Virginia could respond only to those with personal injury.
“Six to 10 inches of snow blanketed Michigan….
“Weather deaths included a 7-year-old boy in south Dallas whose clothes were set afire by a space-heater Wednesday, and four people in Minnesota in recent days in fires blamed on overheated furnaces or wood stoves.
“Ice across Arkansas Wednesday snapped powr lines and left 80,000 customers in various parts of the state without electricity for at least part or the day. Rain, sleet and snow closed schools throughout Kentucky, and snow-packed roads closed schools throughout central Illinois….” (UPI. “It’s here, in case you haven’t noticed.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 12-22-1983, p. 1.)
Dec 23: “As Americans started for Christmas holiday destinations today, a week-long siege of winter storms delayed hundreds of travelers with icy roads and the bitter cold slowing passenger trains or causing cancellations and delays at many airports….the National Safety Council estimated that between 300 and 400 people may die in traffic accidents over the holiday weekend. The counting period begins at 6 .m. this evening and extends until midnight Monday. Motorists faced hazardous and slow journeys in many places, with travelers’ advisories for snowy weather posted from northern Nevada to Michigan and Vermont…
“The extreme cold — more than 30 below in some places — prompted Amtrak officials to order passenger trains to slow down, for fear of snapping or breaking super-chilled tracks under the weight of racing trains, railroad officials said….A chain reaction of delays blamed on sub-zero cold centered in the nation’s midsection left travelers waiting in…airports, including those at Wichita, Kan., Detroit, Denver and Oklahoma City….With the mercury at 18 below zero at O’Hare today, delays stretched to several hours for some flights….” (Associated Press. “Winter hinders holiday traffic.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 12-23-1983, p. 1.)
Dec 24: “More record cold weather slowed holiday travel in much of the nation yesterday, and the death toll from a week of some of the coldest weather in more than half a century reached 137. Temperatures dropped to 52 below zero Fahrenheit in Butte, Mont., and 46 below in Williston, N.D., and the cold air was spreading from the Plains to the South and the East. Subfreezing temperatures stretched from the Canadian border as far south as the Gulf Coast. Gusty northwest winds plunged the wind-chill factor down to near 100 degrees below zero yesterday in several North Dakota communities. The factor, which describes the combined effect of the wind and cold, hit 97 below zero at Bowman and 96 below at Roseglen.
“Most of the deaths resulted from traffic accidents on roadways glazed by snow and ice, from trying to keep warm or from the brutal cold itself. In St. Louis, the authorities said six people had died this week from below- normal body temperature, or hypothermia. At least 10 people were killed last night when a school bus and a truck collided about 50 miles northeast of Houston. In Chicago, a man and five children died yesterday in a house fire where the authorities said a heater had been improperly connected after the gas was shut off.
“Snow squalls spread through the Great Lakes region, and the National Weather Service warned of two major storms headed for California, one from the Northwest carrying snow and the other from Hawaii raising the threat of flooding in central California.
“More than 30 cities had low-temperature records yesterday. Chicago reported 19 below zero, the city’s coldest reading for the date in 111 years; it was 8 below in Detroit and Kansas City, Mo., and 25 below in Minneapolis. For much of the nation, ”it’s going to be the coldest December by far in more than 50 years,” said Steve Corfidi, a meteorologist at the National Severe Storms Forecast Center in Kansas City. Cold Puts Drain on Power.
“Utilities were hard-pressed to keep up with the demand for power in areas where electricity is commonly used for heat. An estimated 15,000 people in Oregon’s rural Yamhill County lost power for several hours yesterday. A community center in McMinnville was opened for those without heat. Portland General Electric said the blackout was caused by the high demand. The Pacific Power and Light Company reported that parts of six states consumed a record amount of electricity on Thursday, and it said that its power plants were operating near capacity. In Arkansas, up to 50,000 people lost power Thursday because lines fell under heavy ice or were downed by falling tree limbs. Chuck Kelly, a spokesman for the Arkansas Power and Light Company, said it might be Christmas before all service was restored to some 19,000 customers.
“In Texas, several cities recorded record cold, with Dallas reporting 5 degrees….” (Associated Press. “Cold, Ice and Snow Disrupt Travel for Christmas.” New York Times, 12-24-1983.)
Dec 25: “A week of arctic-like weather kept record-keepers with pen in hand as record low temperatures were broken hourly and Houston residents witnessed the ‘impossible’ with snow dusted the city. More than 120 people have died in weather-related accidents in the past week.
“A new Pacific storm moved in today with rain on the West Coast and heavy mountain snows, prompting winter storm warnings of near-blizzard conditions for parts of Oregon, Nevada and Colorado. Up to 10 inches of snow was expected for the northern mountains of Colorado today.
“Records were shattered in dozens of cities early today, including Chicago, Casper, Wyo., Sioux Falls, S.D., and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Forecasters expected more records to tumble.
“High winds in Iowa forced the wind chill to 80 below overnight. In North Dakota, the wind chill dropped subzero lows to 100 degrees below zero. The temperature in Casper, Wyo., dropped to 30 below zero, a record. In the Twin Cities, a reading of 25 below broke a record of 18 below set in 1921. It was the sixth time this month records were retired. For more than 90 consecutive hours, the temperature in Denver remained below zero, snapping a 51-year-old record. In East Troy, Wis., 25 degree below temperatures froze water pipes, hampering firefighters who battled a blaze. Chicago thermometers dropped to 23 below zero, with an estimated wind chill of 73 below, tying the date’s 1872 record.
“Some Alabama residents may have been in for their first white Christmas in more than a half century as forecasters predicted a cold front to usher in near record lows and a ‘very good’ chance of snow over the holiday weekend….
“Forecasters in Montana could not give specific readings Friday [23rd] because thermometers were calibrated only to 46 below and the temperatures for some towns had sunk below that figure. Elk Park, Mont., had an unofficial reading at 64 below zero, Wisdom, Mont., at 55-below and Willston, N.D. at 46-below.
“At least 129 people died in weather-related accidents in the past week. Two boys, ages 8 and 9, drowned Friday when they fell through thin ice covering a pond near East Caney Texas. The fatalities raised to at least 18 the number of Texas deaths attributed to the sub-freezing weather.
“The body of a Vinton, Iowa, woman who apparently could not fine her keys to her apartment building was found frozen Friday morning in 13 below zero temperatures.
“One of 16 weather victims in Illinois was a 93-year-old man who went outside without his coat in sub-zero temperatures. He was found frozen to death Friday between the double doors of his Chicago apartment lobby.” (UPI. “Cold sets records.” Key West Citizen, FL, 12-25-1983, p. 2.)
Dec 26: “Hundreds of motorists spent Christmas stranded along snowy roads in the northern Plains as a lethal chill accompanied by biting winds stretched into the Deep South and at least 100 cities set record lows in one of the worst cold waves in U.S. history. Thousands of Washington state residents shivered through the holiday without electricity for heat or cooking after a massive winter storm downed power lines and damaged at least 200 homes and businesses while spreading heavy rain and snow along the Pacific Coast. The freeze also threatened the fruit crop in the South.
“Morning lows were below zero from the Rockies to the Appalachians. At least 200 cities set record lows for a Christmas Day; at least 30, many in the South, had the coldest temperatures ever recorded in December. The National Weather Service described the chill as ‘one of the most severe cold waves in the history of the nation.’
“The weather-related death toll since Dec. 17 reached the 159 mark, including elderly women in Alabama and Mississippi who died in their sparsely heated homes.
“The temperature records set on Christmas included 10 below in Milwaukee, breaking the minus 9 mark set in 1879; 20 below in Rapid City, S.D.; 17 below in Omaha, Neb.; 10 below in Detroit; and 13 below in Kansas City, Mo. In the GulfCoast states, the records for the day included 14 in Houston, breaking the old mark by 30 degrees; 17 in New Orleans; 23 in Daytona Beach, Fla.; 3 in Birmingham, Ala.; and 6 below in Bristol, Va.
“The mercury crept to zero or above for the first time in more that a week in Sioux Falls, S.D., Denver, Omaha, Neb., and Bismarck, N.D.
“An explosion at Atlanta Gas Light Co.’s plant south of Atlanta cut off heat for as many as 2,000 households on Sunday, but most power was restored by evening.
“In Arkansas and Louisiana, utility officials asked residents to don extra sweaters, dim their Christmas lights and turn down their thermostats to conserve fuel during the cold spell.
“As one example of the strength of the cold air mass flowing from northwest Canada, the highest pressure ever recorded in the United States — 31.42 inches of mercury — was measured on Christmas Eve in Miles City, Mont. And it was a white Christmas for most of the nation, with snow on the ground from the Pacific Northwest through the Great Plains to the northern Atlantic states.
“As the full force of the cold wave descended on the East — it was 5 degrees Sunday morning [25th] in New York City — meteorologist Harry Gordon at the National Severe Storms Forecast Center in Kansas City said there was ‘nothing in the foreseeable future for any relief.’….
“Indiana Gov. Robert D. Orr ordered the National Guard to open armories for stranded travelers and people without heat. Almost 600 people spent Christmas in armories and ‘they’ll probably be stuck there until about Tuesday because we can’t get Interstate 65 open,’ said Indiana State Police Sgt. Kevin Poe.
“Overnight lows dipped into the teens in Florida and Texas, threatening the citrus crop…In northern California, the town of Honeydew recorded 4.7 inches of rain in a 24-hour period ending Sunday morning. More than 2 inches fell in both San Francisco and Sacramento, but the forecast called for clearing skies.” (Associated Press. “Lethal chill, high winds stretch into Deep South.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph,” CO, 12-26-1983, pp. 1 and 3.)
Dec 26: “High temperatures in the teens and lower 20s forecast for today and Tuesday should be a welcome respite from the frigid weather that shrouded the state [Kansas] the past week and claimed two more lives over the weekend. Although the mercury finally poked its head above the zero mark on thermometers across the state Sunday [25th], weather observers said the Christmas of 1983 still was the coldest on record. And though a slight warming trend is forecast for today and Tuesday, the bitter cold temperatures that gripped the state the past week are expected to return Wednesday.
“With a low pressure system moving into Kansas from New Mexico,[276] National Weather Service forecasters predict freezing rain will cover the state by Monday morning creating hazardous driving conditions….
“The extremely cold temperatures are a result of a northern high-pressure system that dipped unusually far to the south,[277] according to Bill Ryan, a weather service meteorologist from Wichita. Instead of only covering its normal one-half of the northern United States and Canada, the high pressure system has extended to the eastern two thirds of the country wreaking havoc with crops and road as far south as Florida. That high pressure system, although temporarily misplaced, will return to the state later in the week….”(Hutchinson News, KS, “Christmas cold a record.” 12-26-1983, p. 1.[278])
Dec 27: “A new Canadian ice wave stalked the Great Plains today, sleet glazed roads from Texas to Tennessee and the death toll from December’s record freeze climbed to 264 as forecasters offered little comfort to a nation numb with cold.
“Snow was scattered from Washington to the Great Lakes, with almost the only good news a tiny temperature rise that pushed some states above freezing for the first time in more than a week.
“In Chicago, the thermometer poked above zero Monday for the first time in 100½ hours. But the respite promised to be short-lived as a new blast of arctic air moved into the Midwest, ushering in another unseasonably cold day for much of the nation….Snow and ice had already cut the reprieve short across the northern tier of states, from the Dakotas to the Great Lakes down through Kansas and Oklahoma. Travelers’ advisories were also in effect for the Washington mountains, much of Oregon, Utah and Idaho and the northern Rockies, where up to 9 inches of new snow was predicted.
“The South meanwhile was stung by freezing temperatures that felt especially sharp in a region unaccustomed to cold. The topsy-turvy weather made it colder in Atlanta, where Monday’s 5-degree reading broke a mark set in 1935, than in Anchorage, Alaska, with a high of 24. Texas felt more like tundra, with Austin reporting a record low of 26 degrees Monday [26th], and freezing rain caused scores of accidents on icy roads in the norther and central part of the state today. Traveler’s advisories were also in effect this morning from the southeast quarter of the Plains, across the lower Mississippi Valley into western Tennessee….
“The chill burst so many water pipes in Fort Worth, Texas, that residents were told to store water in every available vessel because the city couldn’t guarantee how long service would hold. A backlog of 180 breaks on Monday ‘is the worst I’ve ever seen it,’ said D.H. Hall. ‘We keep records going back into the 1930s, and I don’t believe we’ve ever logged this many breaks at one time.’ Farther north, water main breaks caused $1 million damage at a federal building in Roanoke, Va., and $250,000 damage at the Arlington, Va., headquarters of USA Today. In Addyston, Ohio, some of the 1,149 customers entered their fourth day without water after one pump froze and another broke at the local waterworks.
“The cold continued to claim victims through exposure, traffic accidents and fires from heaters used to keep warm. A 2-year-old Ghent, N.Y. girl froze to death when she apparently locked herself outside her house Saturday night, clad only in pajamas.” (Associated Press. “Death roll climbs as temps rise slightly,” Daily News, Havre, MT, 12-27-1983, p. 1.)
Dec 28: “A snowstorm that marooned travelers with huge drifts in the Rockies swept into the Midwest and deep into Texas at near blizzard-ferocity today and highways were transformed onto ribbons of ice in many cities from Colorado to New Jersey.
“A tornado skipping through south Alabama wrecked several homes, and almost 6 inches of rain at New Orleans caused some flooding as most of the nation was affected by the violent weather that has claimed at least 346 lives since Dec. 17….The weather service reported near-blizzard conditions near Pampa, Texas, where 5 inches of snow had accumulated. Snow fell across the Lone Star state from the Panhandle as far south as the Midland-Odessa area. Temperatures were expected to sink into the teens in Houston and Brownsville tonight for the second time in a week.
“Ahead of the fast-moving system, sheets of freezing drizzle coated highways and power lines across from Texas and Arkansas to New York, while heavy snow fell across much of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and southern Wisconsin. Rush hour was chaotic in Midwestern cities such as Columbus, Ohio, and Cincinnati, where icy streets caused so many accidents police were answering only emergency calls.
“About 3 to 5 inches of snow was common across much of Missouri and Illinois. In Utah, where up to 10 inches of snow fell during the night, 16 motorists stranded late Tuesday by mountain snow that drifted across Utah 92 near Alpine were rescued today by a snowcat — a van on treads — after a snowmobile couldn’t carry them over the rough terrain, the Utah County sheriff’s department said.
“Power lines snapped in northern Georgia under the weight of the ice early today, cutting power to an estimated 15,000 Georgia Power Co. customers around Atlanta, 1,000 in Rome, and 500 in Athens….” (Associated Press. “Violent Weather Persists. Storm Ices Midwest.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 12-28-1983, p. 1.)
Dec 29: “The mercury took another dive to record subzero lows across the Rockies and deep into Texas today, while violent thunderstorms hurled tornadoes and baseball-size hail at several Southern communities. Still another storm pushed into the Pacific Northwest with freezing rain that coated highways with black ice in western Oregon, forcing the closure of highways as cars and trucks skidded out of control in cities including Portland and Salem.
“Since Dec. 17, when an arctic cold wave blasted Northern states, the weather has been blamed for more than 400 deaths nationwide, including a 19-year-old college student who was caught in an avalanche Wednesday [28th] on Mount Rainier in Washington and died this morning as a base camp.
“Florida citrus growers meanwhile issued a preliminary estimate saying 25 percent of the $1 billion orange crop had been lost as a result of a record freeze earlier in the week.
“Temperatures broke records this morning from the mountains of Colorado, where the mercury dropped as low as 30 degrees below zero, to the citrus groves of southern Texas, with parts of the Lone Star state enduring the coldest December morning on record. In Fort Worth, Texas, where the temperature had been below freezing for 11 consecutive days, city employees began delivering bottled water to shut-ins because of a water shortage. There have been more than 800 breaks in water mains since the freeze began. Among the more than a dozen cities reporting record temperatures for the date were Denver, where it was 13 below zero, and Amarillo, Texas, where it was 5 below. It was 30 below at Belgrade, Mont., and 27 below at Butte, Mont.
“Bridges over Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River were closed because of ice in the unlikely Sun Belt cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La., and freezing rain glazed the Gulf Coast port of Mobile, Ala.
“Gusty snow squalls off the Great Lakes plastered parts of Ohio, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania and freezing rain laid a fresh glaze over many roads from Washington, D.C., to New England.
“A new mass of cold air settled into the upper Mississippi Valley and the Great Plains. Waves of thunderstorms raced ahead of the cold front across the Gulf Coast into Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, prompting tornado watches in much of the region. One tornado struck at 12:10 a.m. near Jasper, Fla., blowing down ‘a lot of power lines’ and blocking bridges and roads…A house trailer and a camper in adjacent Madison County were overturned…” (Associated Press. “Winter Storm Death Toll Exceeds 400.” Northwest Arkansas Times, 12-29-1983, p. 1.)
Dec 30: “A windy snowstorm building drifts high enough to stop a snowplow stranded travelers in emergency shelters in the Pacific Northwest today while more cold weather records fell from the Midwest deep into the Texas citrus belt.
“The death toll from the big chill of the past two weeks climbed past 430…
“Record subzero lows were posted this morning across the Midwest from Indianapolis, where it was 14 below zero, to Toledo, Ohio, which registered 10 below, and southward into Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, where the wind chill made it feel like 20 below at Huntsville with snow in the air.
“Another freeze settled on the citrus groves and vegetable fields of southern Texas, where damage to crops from an earlier freeze had been estimated at $100 million. The mercury fell to 10 degrees at San Antonio to set a new all-time low mark for December that was set only this past Christmas Day. A reading of 8 in Dallas broke a 66-year-old record for the date by six degrees. In other Texas cities this morning, it was 8 degrees in San Angelo, 9 in Amarillo, 10 in Abilene, 13 in Lufkin, 19 in Austin, 20 in Houston, 15 in Victoria, and 17 in El Paso.
“Other cities in the Southern states reporting bitter cold were Oklahoma City, 3; Nashville, Tenn., 4; and Shreveport, La., 11.
“The cold weather besieging Arkansas has claimed another life, bringing to 29 the number of people who have died weather-related deaths. Today, several Arkansas towns set new record lows with single-digit readings. The low of 4 in Fort Smith broke the low of 13 set in 1917. The low of 6 at Little Rock eclipsed the record of 8 set in 1917 and the low of 11 in Texarkana broke the old mark of 14, also set in 1917….
“The mercury also plunged below zero again today from the Great Plains, where it was 14 below zero at North Platte, Neb., to the Great Lakes, and freezing rain and snow prompted winter storm warnings or travel advisories across much of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, northern Utah and north central Montana.
“Authorities have placed a 10-day embargo on the shipment of citrus from Texas and Florida, where freeze damage to crops was estimated at about $300 million….
“In northeastern Oregon, stretches of the state’s major east-west highway, Interstate 84, were closed overnight because snowslides blocked lanes in the Columbia River Gorge and blowing snow reduced visibility to zero along a 40-mile stretch from La Grande to Baker. Stranded motorists packed into motels, churches and a National Guard armory in the two towns at either end of the closed portion. ‘We’ve got drifts up there the snowplow can’t even to through,’ said state Trooper Jack Eckrich.
“Four to six inches of snow fell in eastern Washington, and officials warned the accumulation had weakened the earlier snowpack, increasing avalanche danger. One slide closed state Hwy. 2 through Stevens Pass overnight.
“Strong chinook winds blasting down the eastern slope of the Rockies, clocked at 70 mph in Livingston, Mont., drifted the snow and created ‘ground blizzards.’” (Associated Press. “Low Temperatures Chill South, Midwest.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 12-30-1983, p. 1.)
Dec 31: “The big chill of 1983 iced the citrus groves and vegetable fields of southern Texas with a second dose of some of the coldest weather of the century Friday [30th], while 15-foot snowdrifts blocked highways in the Northwest….
“Up to 20 inches of new snow fell in the Rocky Mountains of Idaho while chinook winds gusting up to 78 mph caused ground blizzards and whiteouts from Montana to Colorado.
“The weather death toll climbed to at least 438 for the last two weeks of a year that set records at both ends of the thermometer.
“And the National Weather Service on Friday predicted below normal temperatures in January for most of the nation east of the Continental Divide and above-average precipitation.
“The mercury tumbled again to record lows Friday in at least 41 cities across the Midwest and south to the Gulf Coast, with Illinois, Indiana and Ohio turning in many of the coldest readings. It was 15 below zero At Springfield, Ill., and 14 below at Indianapolis and North Platte, Neb. Toledo, Ohio posted a minus 12.
“Cities across the South suffered low water pressure as pipes burst.
“The second freeze since Christmas to send temperatures into the teens as far south as the Rio Grande set records for the date in 14 Texas cities and the 11-degree reading at Laredo was the coldest there this century. It was 9 in San Antonio, the coldest December day ever.
“This has been the coldest week on record at Baton Rouge, La., where the 15 broke the record for the date by 12 degrees, and Corpus Christi on the Gulf Coast of southern Texas, where it was 18….In Houston, where the temperature dipped to 20 Friday, insurance officials estimated that more than 100,000 homes suffered damage from broken pipes….In Huntsville, Ala., it was a record 6 degrees on Friday, with snow in the air. Oklahoma City’s temperature at 9 a.m. Friday was 9, marking the longest spell of freezing weather in the city’s history, the National Weather Service reported. Other Southern cities reporting record lows for the date included Nashville, Tenn., 1; Tulsa, Okla, 2; Tupelo, Miss., 2; Little Rock, Ark., 5 and New Orleans, 10….
“Up to 20 inches of new snow fell at Deadwood Dam, southeast of Cascade, Idaho, where 7 feet of snow was on the ground, and a half foot or more of new snow was common in the central mountains.
“While the warm chinooks brought above-freezing temperatures to Wyoming, the National Weather Service reported Friday that the two-week period from Dec. 16 to Dec 29 was the coldest ever in Cheyenne, with the mercury never climbing above zero in one period of 120 hours….” (Associated Press. “Cold records shatter as big chill grips U.S.” The Register, Orange Co., CA. 12-31-1983, A13.)
Jan 1, 1984: “The record cold spell withered with the old year Saturday [Dec 31] as warm air began sliding up from the Southwest, with record low temperatures reported in only 11 cities and some spots expected to get above freezing for the first time in two weeks.
“But problems were not over for strangers to such cold weather, especially in Texas, where the weather broke water lines and killed crops. Since Dec 17 the cold and snow killed 450 people across the nation, including victims of hypothermia, traffic accidents, drownings, fires caused by overworked heaters and other accidents.
“The only significant snowfall Saturday was over the northern Plateau and central Rockies, with freezing rain icing highways in Utah. Up to 8 inches of snow was expected in the mountains of Colorado.
“During the height of the cold snap, low temperature records crashed from the Rockies to the East Coast, but Saturday’s record lows — all above zero — were confined to Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Virginia, and meteorologists said highs in the 40s were expected from Texas to Florida.
“On Friday, record lows were reported in 41 cities from the Midwest to the Gulf Coast. Temperatures were below 10 degrees early Saturday from the upper Great Lakes region to New England and from northern Minnesota to north central Montana. But even in those regions temperatures were milder than they had been.
“Temperatures remained above freezing Saturday across the Florida Peninsula, where the cold damaged citrus crops. In all, the frigid air caused an estimated $400 million damage to citrus and vegetable crops in Texas, Florida and Louisiana. In addition to the crop losses, Texas insurance representatives say damage to homes and businesses in that state could exceed $100 million, most due to broken water pipes. Th huge farm losses prompted Texas Gov. Mark White to ask President Reagan to declare a major disaster in four counties in the heart of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. And on Saturday he asked utilities to not shut off power to impoverished families who lost agricultural jobs to the cold in the valley.
“Elsewhere, locally heavy snow coupled with freezing rain and fog created hazardous driving conditions in Utah, causing hundreds of accidents along the Wasatch Front. Interstate 80 near Toole, Utah was closed for more than an hour after a multiple-car collision, which included two patrol cars and a semi-trailer truck.
“Utah’s Great Salt Lake, swollen by above normal precipitation during the past two years, reached its highest level since 1886 Friday after rising 0.85 of a foot since Dec. 1.” (Associated Press. “Cold losing grip.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 1-1-1984, p. 1.
Narrative Information by State (alphabetically):
Alabama
NCDC/NOAA, Dec 24-27, Extreme Cold and Icing: “Bitterly cold air rapidly overspread Alabama on December 24 and before the temperatures finally moderated at least 4 deaths had occurred as a result of overexposure to the cold. Many areas of the state had the coldest Christmas Day ever recorded, and the early morning low of 1° below zero in Huntsville was the coldest ever recorded there during the entire month of any December. Damage to property was extensive due to freezing water lines and as broken water lines began to thaw, water shortages occurred in some areas. As temperatures began to moderate somewhat, freezing rain and some snow spread over much of the state during the evening of the 26th and the early morning of the 27th. The icing glazed most roads in central and north Alabama and some icing was reported in the south part of the state. Conditions began to improve over most areas during the afternoon of the 27th, but some icing continued until the 28th over the higher elevations of northeast Alabama. Most of the icing was confined to roadways and ground surfaces, but some power outages did occur.” (National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 14.)
Arkansas
NCDC/NOAA, Dec 15-31, Unusually Cold Weather: “Temperatures began falling significantly below normals about the 15th of the month and lasted until the end of the year. Many temperature records were set across the state. At the Forecast Office, the mercury stayed at or below freezing from 5PM, December 18, until 2PM, December 31, for a total of 309 consecutive hours. The Arkansas River froze from shore to shore along many portions for the first time since the McClellan-Kerr Navigation system was completed. In southwest Arkansas, Milwood Lake reservoir also froze over completely [for the first time?] since it was impounded. Extremely low temperatures caused widespread problems with water pipes, even though many were buried two feet deep. House fires occurred with higher than normal frequency due to attempts to keep warm. Lack of water or low water pressure and icy roads prevented firefighters from putting out blazes. Low water pressure in many municipalities made in necessary to boil water before using it for human consumption. Strong winds during the coldest part of the arctic outbreak produced wind chill equivalent temperatures in the neighborhood of 60° below zero. Snow and ice remained on the ground for an unusually long period. Livestock had to be fed larger than average rations because pastures were covered. Ponds and water holes froze over completely. Many heads of cattle drowned as they fell through the ice while trying to get water. The weaker cows, calves, and calving cows suffered great stress from the low temperatures and many died. Poultry suffered considerably from the extreme temperatures, lack of electrical power, and from shortage of feeds that resulted from impassable roads. Elderly persons suffered considerable discomfort during the cold spell. Many services for the elderly were completely stopped or severely curtailed. Also, many elderly suffered from falls on the slippery surfaces and broke bones. Businesses suffered losses from interruptions to productivity or from the significant drop in sales during the Christmas shopping season. Trash collection was stopped in many cities for a two-week period due to icy roads. The State and municipalities spent large sums of money in personnel and equipment trying to keep the roads cleared. Salt, sand, and other chemical supplies ran low because of the long duration of icy conditions. Roads, streets, and highways suffered considerable damage from the freezing and refreezing of water on their surfaces….During December, 13…hypothermia fatalities occurred, according to the Arkansas Department of Health….” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 15.)
NCDC, South AR, Dec 15-16 Snowstorm: “Snow began falling late on the night of the 15th, and it continued into the mid afternoon of the next day. The snow fell south of a line stretching roughly from Mena, to Little Rock, to Helena….The heaviest snow was reported at Foreman, where 9 inches of snow fell. Some reports of the heavy snow were as follows:
Hampton, Camden and El Dorado …8”
Cale, Star City, Rison, Monticello, Leola & Fordyce …7”
Sheridan, Dumas, and Warren …6”
Pine Bluff …5”
Crossett and Stuttgart …4”
NCDC, All AR, Dec 20-21, Ice Storm: “A combination of sleet and freezing rain began late on the 20th and continued into Wednesday the 21st. On Wednesday, precipitation was mainly in the form of freezing rain or freezing drizzle. All roads were hazardous due to the accumulation of ice. Schools were closed statewide early for the Christmas break. Innumerable traffic accidents occurred, causing many fatalities and injuries. Travelers were stranded along the major highways, and they had to be lodged in public shelters from the lack of hotel accommodations. Shelters were also needed because of the lack of electrical power. Trees and tree limbs were knocked down because of the weight of the ice; power lines were broken as a result. Other types of services interrupted were: Cable television, water, telephone, and garbage collection. Some radio and television stations were unable to broadcast because of a variety of reasons, such as: lack of power, downed antenna or inaccessibility by personnel. Utility repair crews were called in from surrounding states. Timber damage was extensive in the commercial as well as the national forests.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 15.)
NCDC, South AR, Dec 27-27, Ice Storm: “A second ice storm struck the southern half of the State, while snow and sleet fell over the other half. Travel was disrupted once more. Power interruptions were not as widespread because there were not that many tree limbs left to knock down across power lines. Countless traffic accidents with injuries and fatalities were reported. More timber damage occurred.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 15.)
Colorado
NCDC, Eastern Plains, Dec 20-25, Cold: “While Western Colorado was getting buried under mountains of snow…the plains were in the grip of one of the most severe cold spells in history. The temperature stayed below zero for 118 hours at Fort Collins, and 115 hours at Denver; both figures easily established all time records. The mercury dropped to 21 below in Denver on the 21st, the coldest temperature recorded in the city in over 20 years. The cold was accompanied at times by winds that plunged chill factors to 50 to 70 below zero. The coldest actual temperature recorded in Eastern Colorado was 40 below zero near Windsor, in Weld County. Two people froze to death in Denver; both were found outside, dead of exposure. Numerous cases of frostbite were reported from hospitals. Hundreds of water pipes broke in the intense cold; water mains and natural gas lines also fractured, and electricity consumption reached record levels…” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 16.)
NCDC, Mountains, Dec 20-28, Heavy Snow: “A very strong westerly flow of air aloft brought abundant moisture from the Pacific Ocean inland, and almost continuous snowfall buried ll sections of the Colorado Rockies. Heavy amounts also fell at lower elevations. Many ski areas received a foot or more almost every day for nearly a week. Four day snowfall totals during the period included 58 inches at Wolf Creek Pass; about four feet in Breckenridge and Winter Park; 40 inches at Monarch Pass; and 38 inches at Berthoud Pass and Crested Butte. Vail had 16 inches on snow on the 27th; it was the 48th consecutive day with snowfall at the resort. Heavy snow also fell at lower elevations of western Colorado. Glenwood Springs received 14 inches on Christmas Day and 61 inches for the month, a record. Several roofs in the area collapsed under the weight of the snow, and the city’s snow removal budget was exceeded by many thousands of dollars. 18 inches fell in Craig during the holiday weekend and snow caused the roof of a Quonset hut to collapse in Hayden. Grand Junction received 19 inches of snow during December, a record for that city. The snow was frequently accompanied by high winds, causing near blizzard conditions. The strongest gusts occurred on the 22nd, with gusts of 85 to 90 mph at the top of the Keystone ski area.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p16.)
Delaware
NCDC, Statewide, Dec 24-26, Cold: “One of the coldest outbreaks of the century resulted in record low temperatures. Wilmington, with a reading of 7 below zero, broke the previous low for Christmas Day by 9 degrees. Broken water pipes brought heavy demands upon plumbing establishments. In addition, water damage was widespread as thawing took place.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 16.)
NCDC, Statewide, Dec 28, Freezing Rain, Sleet: “Roads quickly became hazardous during the latter part of the morning rush hour. A host of highway accidents occurred, at least one involving a fatality.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 16.)
Florida
NCDC, Statewide, Dec 25-26, Cold: “Unusual cold weather caused broken irrigation and water pipes. Inadequate heating units and carelessness with heating units caused many fires. Citrus and vegetable crops and plants were damaged and/or destroyed, ornamental plants were damaged. Several roads in north Florida were damaged. Six people died of exposure, three in Miami, two in Jacksonville and one in Tampa.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 17.)
Indiana
NCDC, Statewide, ~Dec 18-31, Extreme Cold: “Bitter cold arctic air settled in on Indiana during the last two weeks of the month. The extreme cold resulted in 6 deaths being reported due to hypothermia and large number of people treated for various degrees of frostbite. There were numerous reports of water pipes and mains bursting, causing damage to buildings.” NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 18.)
Iowa
NCDC, Statewide, Dec 18-25, Extreme Cold and Windstorm: “From the 18th thru the 25th extreme cold characterized the weather in Iowa. The month as a whole was the coldest December on record (9.8°F at Des Moines), but the average temperature for this 8-day period (again at Des Moines) was -9.4° F. During all but 26 hours of this period the mercury remained below zero. Besides the inconvenience of cars not starting in the cold, many mechanical devices were put to the test by the extreme weather and were found wanting. In several places water mains were frozen, and individual homes suffered losses due to frozen and broken pipes and attendant water damage. Just walking outside was potentially perilous, and more than a few people suffered from frostbite. The most dangerous period was from the evening of the 23rd thru the evening of the 24th. The wind came up and was blowing steadily at 25 to 35 mph, with gusts over 40. This caused the snow to start blowing and drifting, blocking roads and stranding holiday travelers. The wind chills experienced by those out in this weather were horrendous — in the -50 to -90 range.
“At least about 10 people had to be treated for frostbite at hospitals after being exposed, although many more did not seek treatment for minor cases. The deaths directly associated with the cold are detailed below:
“Benton County. A Vinton woman died of exposure apparently after she was unable to get into her apartment. She was dropped off by her son at 11 PM on the 23rd. Apparently she couldn’t find her keys to get inside, and succumbed to the cold before anyone could help. The temperature was between -10 and -20 at the time.
“Greene County. A couple was found dead in a car 5 miles north of Rippey. The car was found by farmers Saturday afternoon (December 24th), buried in drifts of snow. The Medical Examiner found that both exposure and carbon monoxide poisoning were to blame for these deaths.
“Jefferson County. A Fairfield woman died of exposure outside of her apartment. She was found the morning of the 26th. It was not known whether the woman had accidently locked herself out or had slipped on the ice.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 18.)
Kansas
NCDC, Statewide, Dec 18-25, Severe Cold: “An unprecedented cold spell set temperature records throughout Kansas. Record lows were set every morning from the 18th through the 25th at Topeka and Wichita, and on all but the 21st at Concordia. Records were also recorded at Goodland from the 21st through the 23rd, and at Dodge City on the 19th and 22nd. Temperatures stayed at or below zero for 67 consecutive hours at Dodge City, 95 at Topeka, 110 at Wichita, 132 at Goodland and 161 at Concordia. All were all-time record lengths for below zero readings for any month. Lowest temperatures ever measured in December were : 17 below at Topeka on the 22nd, 16 below at Concordia on the 22nd and 10 below at Wichita on the 24th. The 10 below reading at Dodge City on the 19th tied the record low for December there. Average monthly temperatures were also the coldest on record in December throughout Kansas, and in some places it was the coldest month ever.
“Five deaths resulted directly from the cold. A 76 year old woman died of exposure early on the 20th after her car became stuck on a country road near Colby. A 56 year old man was found frozen to death on the front porch of his home in Cawker City the morning of the 21st. A 90 year old man was found dead in his home on the 26th. Authorities believed he died from exposure on the 22nd. A 17 year old boy died as a result of hypothermia in his car after it became stuck on a back road east of Beloit early the morning of the 24th. A 55 year old transient was found dead as a result of exposure in an abandoned warehouse in Wichita on the 25th.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 19.)
Kentucky
NCDC, Western KY, Dec 20-21, Icing: “Freezing rain that fell across western Kentucky prompted cancellation of schools and activities. Ice-covered roads resulted in hundreds of traffic accidents, most of them minor. A 27 year old Fancy Farm man (Graves County), lost control of his car on Kentucky Highway 80, seven miles west of Mayfield. The man was thrown from…and then under the car, killing him. Road and bridge closures were numerous. Both the Irvin Cobb Bridge over the Ohio river at Paducah and the I-24 Bridge at Paducah were briefly closed. KY 641 near Draffenville and also KY 641 in the Sinkhole Hill area south of Benton along with the Purchase Parkway north of Mayfield were closed due to road conditions and the number of vehicles that were in the ditch.” (NCDC. Storm Data, V. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 19.)
NCDC, KY Statewide, Dec 23-26, Bitter Cold: “The 1983 Christmas Season will be long remembered as one of the coldest on weather records. Some reporting stations broke century old records for low temperatures. Sub-zero temperatures coupled with winds speeds of 20 to 30 miles an hour plunged windchill indices down to 30 to 60 degrees below zero. The record cold temperatures raised havoc by freezing water lines causing pipes and meters to break, electrical controls malfunctioned, livestock stress increased, power lines snapped, automobiles became stranded, and numerous home fires occurred as a result of people trying to stay warm. Throughout the state of Kentucky, eight deaths were attributed to hypothermia.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 19.)
NCDC, KY Statewide, Dec 27-28, Freezing Rain and Snow: “Freezing rain moved west to east across the state of Kentucky on December 27 followed by light snow. The weather’s icy grip contributed to numerous weather related traffic accidents, several with serious injuries. A few were fatal. Transportation was at a near standstill. Heating systems malfunctioned leaving hundreds without heat in the cold temperatures. Ice formed on tree limbs and interfered with power lines causing power outages. Domestic water pipes, industrial sprinklers and some city water lines broke and split. Many people throughout the state were without water for days. House fires were numerous.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 19.)
NCDC, LA Statewide, Dec 22-26, Cold Wave: “An arctic air mass invaded the state on the 22nd and continued through the 26th. Record low temperatures for the month and records for duration below freezing were broken in almost every major town in the state. Low temperatures ranged from 6 degrees in Shreveport to 14 degrees in New Orleans. An ice storm on the 21st caused tree damage in the northern sections of the state. Otherwise, the cold wave episode was for the most part dry. Damage was widespread over the entire state and mainly consisted of broken pipes and the subsequent flooding. The New Orleans International Airport was without water and heat for 10 days. Also, the water pressure reached dangerously low levels in the New Orleans area. At LSU alone, damage to pipes was estimated at 100,000 dollars. In another parish, all 37 parish schools sustained at least 10,000 dollar damage each. In Plaquemines Parish, the loss to the Citrus Crop was put at 1 million dollars. A total of 11 persons died as a direct result of the cold temperatures and wind. In southern Louisiana, over 100 hunters were rescued from the swamps on the 23rd and 24th. Several of the persons rescued were near death.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 20.)
Maryland and DC
NCDC, Dec 21-22, Most of MD, Freezing Rain: “One of the worst freezing rain situations in many years enveloped the area beginning the evening of the 21st into early morning of the 22nd. Exceptions were the southeastern counties where precipitation was unfrozen, and the far western counties where sleet changed over to a 2-inch snowfall over Allegany and Garrett Counties. Travel came to a virtual standstill, many people electing to wait it out. Those who did venture onto roads soon were beset by multitudes of accidents, abandoned vehicles and long backups. Several bridges in Washington, D.C. were closed, as were sections of the beltways around Washington and Baltimore. Roads began to be passable again during the morning of the 22nd, as temperatures climbed above the freezing mark. (NCDC. Storm Data, V.25, N.12, Dec 1983, 21.)
NCDC, Dec 24-26, MD & DC, Cold: “One of the most severe outbreaks of Arctic air of the Century enveloped the mid Atlantic region, creating many record low temperature readings on Christmas Day. Readings of below zero were prevalent, with a 20 below zero temperature recorded at Oakland, Garrett County. A number of persons were treated for frostbite or hypothermia, including a man and wife who were marooned when their vehicle became stuck on an isolated road south of Frederick. In addition, 4 men were victims of exposure. Widespread frozen water and gas lines placed a heavy demand on plumbers. Considerable damage to homes and business establishments then occurred as frozen pipes later thawed….” (NCDC. Storm Data, V.25, N.12, Dec 1983, 21.)
NCDC, Dec 28, Northern MD & DC, Freezing Rain: “Another major glaze situation occurred during the early morning hours and rush-hour drivers had to contend with numerous accidents, including many multi-vehicle ones. An undetermined number of minor injuries were attributed to falls on slippery walkways.” (NCDC. Storm Data, V.25, N.12, Dec 1983, p. 21.)
Massachusetts
NCDC, Dec 28, Central and Western MA, Ice Storm and Street Flooding: “A rash of highway accidents occurred and a number of pedestrians were treated for falls on the ice. Some sections of state roads were closed for a time due to the icing from freezing rain. Temperatures rose above freezing by early evening but many roads were flooded from heavy rain and the thawing conditions.” (NCDC. Storm Data, V.25, N.12, Dec 1983, p. 21.)
Michigan
NCDC, Dec 23, All MI, Cold: “Two persons died of hypothermia in Detroit area. Many records for the date broken. Marquette -17, Escanaba -17, Sault Ste. Marie -10, Battle Creek -12, Jackson -12, Lansing -6, Ann Arbor -12, Detroit -9.” (NCDC. Storm Data, V.25, N.12, Dec 1983, p. 21.)
NCDC, Dec 24, All MI, Cold, Snow, Wind: “One person frozen in Detroit. Many frostbitten. 18 persons injured in about 80 auto accidents. Highways closed and many persons stranded near south shore of Lake Superior and east shore of Lake Michigan.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 21.)
NCDC, Dec 25, All MI, Cold: “One person frozen in Jackson, another died of hypothermia after slipping on ice in Detroit. Coldest Christmas on record. Power failure in Thumb area. Many water pipes burst 8 ships trapped by ice in the Detroit River. Marquette -13, Sault Ste. Marie -13, Lake City -22, Jackson -11, Detroit -10.” (NCDC. Storm Data, V. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 22.)
Minnesota
NCDC, Dec 23-25, South & West MN, Wind, Extreme Cold: “Winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour with occasionally higher gusts caused near blizzard conditions to the south and west of Kandiyohi county. The wind chill index was generally 60 to 80 degrees below zero at Worthington on the morning of December 24th. Blowing and drifting snow developed during the evening of December 23rd in the western portion of the state and spread rapidly through southern Minnesota during the morning of December 24th. Visibilities were frequently near z4ro and 4 to 5 ft. drifts closed numerous roads making travel impossible. A drift on Highway 15 south of Winthrop reached 15 feet by the afternoon of December 25th and took over 5 hours for a snowplow to clear. Hundreds of motorists became stranded during the evenings of December 23rd and 24th. Many holiday travelers heading west from Minneapolis and St. Paul got into the central Minnesota counties of McLeod and Sibley before conditions became too severe to continue. Winds and severe cold in the southwest corner of the state caused several power outages a well as the loss of livestock.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 22.)
Mississippi
NCDC, Dec 24-25 All MS, Extreme Cold: “Bitter cold arctic air moved over the deep South on the 24th. Low temperatures Christmas morning ranged from minus five in North Mississippi to the low teens along the coast. Strong winds pushed the wind chill temperature to less than 20 below over most of the state. The cold burst pipes and left many communities in the state without water. A state of emergency was declared in many communities due to the lack of water. During the cold Spell, four elderly people died of hypothermia.” (NCDC. Storm Data, 25/12, Dec 1983, 22.)
NCDC, Dec 27, North MS, Freezing Rain: “Freezing rain and sleet glazed the northern part of the state, north of a line from Greenville to Columbus. The freezing rain produced scattered power outages and closed many major and secondary roads including portions of Interstate 55. In Northeast Mississippi about one half inch of snow covered the freezing rain by the evening of the 27th.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 22.)
Montana
NCDC, Dec 16-25, Extreme Cold: Phillips County, Dec 16. “An elderly man whose vehicle had broken down died from exposure while attempting to walk into town under extreme weather conditions. Temperatures were near -20 degrees F. This combined with a 20 MPH wind was producing a wind chill temperature of -60 degrees F.” (NCDC. Storm Data, 25/12, Dec 1983, 22.)
“Custer County (50 Miles South of Miles City). 21 [Dec]…An 80 year old man died 600 feet from a ranch house after his vehicle became stuck about a mile away.” (NCDC. Storm Data, 25/12, 22.)
“Alberton. 23 [Dec]. A 64 year old woman died after waling to the store and back home. She died in the hospital from hypothermia.” (NCDC. Storm Data, 25/12, Dec 1983, 22.)
“Glendive. 25 [Dec]. An 83 year old man died of exposure in his unheated home.” (NCDC, p22.)
Nebraska
NCDC, Dec 16-25, Bitter Cold: “Bitterly cold arctic air covered state shattering numerous temperature records. All time record low temperatures for December were set at Valentine with 37 below, North Platte with 34 below, Lincoln with 27 below, Omaha with 24 below and Grand Island with 23 below. Other records for the coldest December and consecutive hours at or below zero were set. Human activities were hindered by the cold. On December 22nd an elderly Omaha woman was found frozen to death in her backyard. Livestock losses were reported… 28th. A woman was discovered frozen to death on a downtown Omaha street.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 23.)
New York
NCDC, Dec 17, Northwest NY, Snow: “A lake effect snowstorm dumped up to 4 feet of snow. Hardest hit was a 15 mile wide band extending from Lake Ontario eastward to the Tug Hill Plateau area in Northern Oswego and Western Lewis Counties. Motorists had to abandon their cars.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 24.)
NCDC, Dec 21-23, West and Central NY, Snow, Wind, Freezing Rain: “Heaby snow coupled with frigid temperatures pummeled the area. Airports, dozens of schools, many businesses were forced to close. Power and telephone lines were downed. Travel was hazardous. There were numerous fender-bender accidents.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 24.)
NCDC, Dec 22, East-Central NY, Heavy Snow: “The first day of winter found Eastern New York under a blanket of snow. Depth of snow ranged from 2½ inches near Utica in Oneida County to 6 inches in Saratoga County. Toward the end of the storm the precipitation turned to freezing rain and snow. This created some problems for motorists trying to get to work. More than 70 accidents occurred in Oneida, Madison and Herkimer Counties alone due to the buildup of snow and ice. Several trees/power lines came down during the same period.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 23.)
NCDC, Dec 29, Eastern NY, Ice Storm: “Freezing rain covered most of Eastern New York the morning of the 29th. Icy roads and sidewalks were so severe in Northern Saratoga County that postal officials stopped delivery of the mail. Some residents stated it was raining so hard you couldn’t tell the rain from the sleet. Hundreds of car accidents were reported in Eastern New York. In Goshen, Orange County, an 83 year old man died of injuries he received from a car accident. The road was ice covered and impassable according to local police. Icy roads were also blamed for 2 house fires in Sullivan County because local Fire Departments could not reach the homes due to icy roads. Additionally, power companies and DPW crews were kept busy with down trees/power lines.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 23.)
North Carolina
NCDC, All NC, Dec 24-31, Cold Wave: “A week long outbreak of frigid arctic air resulted in power outages, frozen water pipes, stalled automobiles, and countless house fires across the entire Tarheel State. Christmas morning produced the coldest temperatures of the episode as the following record lows were recorded: Asheville -7°; Cape Hatteras 12°; Charlotte 4°; Grandfather’s Mt. -21°; Greensboro 1°; Raleigh-Durham 4°; and Wilmington 9°. A total of seven fatalities were directly attributed to the cold, the result of prolonged exposure and hypothermia.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 24.)
North Dakota
NCDC, East ND, Dec 15-16, Ground Blizzard: “Strong northwest winds (gusts to 44 mph at Fargo in Cass County and 46 mph at Grand Forks in Grand Forks County) caused considerable blowing and drifting snow resulting in ground blizzard conditions. Many County roads were blocked or drifted shut, and wind chill temperatures dropped to 50 to 60 below.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 24.)
NCDC, Entire State, Dec 23-35, Cold Temperatures, Ground Blizzard: “Bitterly cold temperatures generally ranging from 30 to 50 below (51 below at Lake Metigoshe in Bottineau County; 50 below at Williston in Williams County; 50 below at Watford City in McKenzie County; and 50 below at Almont in Morton County) on the morning of the 23rd caused water pipes to freeze and some schools were closed because of the cold temperatures. Strong northwest winds (gusts to 44 mph at Jamestown in Stutsman County) from the evening of the 23rd to the morning of the 25th caused considerable blowing and drifting snow resulting in ground blizzard conditions. Some roads were drifted shut and wind chill temperatures dropped to nearly 100 below. Several minor cases of frostbite occurred because of the extremely cold wind chills.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 24.)
Oklahoma
NCDC, Entire State, Dec 17-31, Winter Storm: “An arctic air mass settled across the entire state causing a variety of winter weather situations. The extremely low temperatures occurring during the last two weeks of the month caused the average monthly temperature to be the coldest on record. The temperatures caused water pipes and water mains to freeze in every section of the state which in turn caused some people to be without water for a week or more. Periods of freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and snow occurred but snow depths were generally less than 3 inches.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 25.)
Oregon
NCDC, Statewide OR, Dec 19-26, Extreme Cold, High Winds, Heavy Snow, Freezing Rain: “An arctic outbreak drove temperatures to subfreezing nearly statewide, breaking many old low temperature records. High winds to 50 mph occurred in the Portland Metropolitan Area as well as the Columbia Gorge. Wind uprooted trees, one of which destroyed a 1-story house. High winds were accompanied by heavy snow in the south. 40 families were evacuated in the Bend area, where ice jams on the Deschutes River caused a 10-block area to be covered with water. Farmers reported fatalities of new born calves as well as severe damage to fruit trees. The Big Chill ended in a freezing rain episode with warm air spreading northeastward from the southwest over trapped cold air in valleys. The cold caused fires, fatalities [13 are noted], frozen pipes and frequent fender benders.” (NCDC Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 25.)
NCDC, Willamette Valley and Southwest, Dec 28-29, Freezing Rain: “Freezing rain again hit Western Oregon from Siskiyou Summit to Portland Metro causing more accidents and headaches.” (NCDC Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 25.)
NCDC, Northeast OR and South around Klamath Falls, Dec 29, Snow: “A snowstorm hit Northeast Oregon and the Southern Cascades area, with the heaviest accumulations in the south. Many people were stranded in Klamath Falls which was ‘buried in snow’.” (NCDC Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 25.)
Pennsylvania
NCDC, Eastern PA, Dec 24-27, Cold Wave: “Some of the coldest December weather ever experienced in Eastern Pennsylvania occurred over Christmas. Most of the southern portion experienced the coldest Christmas day on record and near record or record cold prevailed over north portions. Temperatures dropped to near zero or below across Eastern Pennsylvania on the 24th, 25th and 26th. Just about all of the area recorded some new record during the period. The types of records established were: Lowest temperature for the date, lowest high temperature for the date. Some locations set all three of these records on some days and new records were established on the 24th, 25th and 26th in some locations. Strong winds accompanying the cold resulted in wind chill factors of 40 below zero or lower at times. The highest gusts reported were about 44 MPH. The exceptionally cold conditions resulted in many frozen pipes and some frozen and burst water mains. Plumbers throughout the area spent much of the holiday answering emergency calls. At least 4 elderly people died after venturing out in the cold and later being found frozen. Quite a few people had to be treated for exposure or frost bite with a few cases of severe frostbite.” (NCDC Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 26.)
NCDC, Eastern PA, Dec 28, Glaze, Heavy Rain: “Freezing rain and sleet coated roadways and walkways causing extremely hazardous traveling. Hundreds of motor vehicle accidents occurred resulting in several deaths and many injuries. Two elderly men died after falling on the ice and hitting their head. Many people were injured in falls on the ice. Tree limbs and utility lines were coated with ice causing some of them to fall and interrupt service. The rain continued through the day and was heavy at times causing drainage flooding. Some minor flooding occurred along some streams. Most streams were frozen from the preceding cold weather and the rising water broke up the ice and deposited large chunks of it on property adjoining streams. Although temperatures rose above freezing in the afternoon over most of the area, some sections, especially in the north, stayed below freezing and had icing problems through the day. Although the precipitation ended around 7 PM, most paved surfaces remained wet causing icing conditions again as temperatures fell overnight and early the next morning. This precipitation was the last in a very wet December. Most locations set a new record or were close to a record for the most precipitation in December.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 26.)
South Carolina
NCDC, Statewide, Dec 25, Cold Wave, 27 Deaths: “Record cold weather throughout the state. Minimum temperatures ranged from below zero in the mountains to one degree above in York upward to near ten degrees on the coast. Temperatures remained below freezing through the 26th over much of the state. Heavy damage to property, flowers, vegetables and items subject to freezing damage. Large number of home heating fires.” (NCDC. Storm Data, 25/12, p. 26.)
NCDC, Statewide, Dec 30-31, Cold Wave, 2 Deaths: “Second cold wave accompanied by low temperatures in the teens. A number of home heating fires reported.” (NCDC Storm Data, 25/12, 27.)
South Dakota
NCDC, Entire State with exception of SW Counties, Dec 23-25, Ground Blizzard: “ Very light snow and loose surface snow combined in a majority of the state. The ground blizzard paralyzed most areas, completely blocking the vast majority of roads, as a result of the combination of drifts, stranded vehicles and near zero visibility. At one point, at least 70 vehicles were stalled in a 14 mile stretch between Kennebec and Reliance (Lyman County). The Pierre Airport (Hughes Airport) was closed twice on the 23rd as visibility was zero. Most flights were cancelled at Sioux Falls Airport (Minnehaha County), stranding numerous holiday travelers. Sub-zero temperatures, combined with gusts of over 60 mph, produced wind chill indexes in the 60-100 below zero range. Several cases of frostbite were reported, propane gas solidified, fuel jelled and water pipes and tanks froze as a result of th extreme cold. In Minnehaha County at Wall Lake, electrical outages of 12 hours were experienced from power lines snapping as a result of the cold and winds.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 27.)
NWS: No. 8 on list of SD “Big Weather Events”: “One of the worst cold waves ever was in Dec. 1983, which ranked as the 4th coldest month ever. There was a record 8 days in a row from Dec. 17-24 when the temperature stayed below zero and numerous daily low records were set. Blizzard conditions existed from the 23-24th with wind chills down to 80 below zero at times. The coldest month on record was Feb. 1936 with an average of 0.5 degree and the coldest winter was 1978-79 with an average of 8.0 degrees from Dec. thru Feb.” (NWS, Sioux Falls, SD WFO. Big Weather Events of the 20th Century at Sioux Falls, SD. Accessed 4-3-2019.)
Tennessee
NCDC, Statewide, Dec 19-31, Extreme Cold: “A strong Arctic high pressure system settled into the central sections of the country bringing record cold to Tennessee from the 20th through the end of the month. Coldest days were the 24th, 25th, and 26th. Record low temperatures were set statewide including:
New Record Low Temperatures
City 24 25 26 30 31
Memphis 0 9
Nashville -4 -5 2 1
Chattanooga 2 -2 2
Knoxville -2 -6 1
Tri-Cities -3 -6 0 5
“The cold weather was accompanied by several periods of wintery precipitation, including freezing rain, sleet, and snow, but, no individual episode was considered heavy. However, each episode created problems for travelers and motorists as icy conditions made travel hazardous. Accidents too numerous to count were reported all across Tennessee. Several deaths occurred as a result of automobile accidents. The cold weather also created problems of power outages, increased number of house fires, and burst water pipes and water mains. The insurance industry estimated that damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles in Tennessee surpassed $15 million. The cold also killed individual deaths attributed to the cold are detailed by county….
Bartlett, Shelby County, 27th “An 87-year-old woman died from the cold in her unheated house.”
Clarksville, Montgomery Co., 27th. “63-year-old man died from the cold in an unheated house.”
Nashville, Davidson County, 27th. “A 71-year-old man died from exposure to the cold just outside his house.”
Bristol, Sullivan County, 27th. “An 85-year-old woman died from hypothermia and other medical problems. The heat had gone off in her home over the weekend, and she was admitted to the hospital with a temperature of 84.”
Blount County, 27th, “A 71-year-old man was dead on arrival at a hospital after slipping on ice on a patio and hitting his head.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 27.)
Texas
NCDC, North TX, Dec 15-16, Snow: “Snow began falling over North Texas by sunset on the 15th and by sunrise on the 16th, four to six inch amounts were common. Most of the snow fell in an area from the Red River, southward to near Waco, then northeast to near Texarkana. The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex received the least snow in the area, with general amounts of two inches. Heaviest amounts were 7½” at Denison and near 10″ at Pittsburg. One death was attributed to the snow when a driver lost control of his car on the slick highway. At least 10 people were injured in scattered auto wrecks and in falls on slick ground. Tree branches, falling under the weight of snow, broke powerlines in east Texas, leaving over 15,000c customers without electricity for up to 36 hours.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 28.)
NCDC, North TX, Dec 18-30, Bitter, prolonged cold, freezing rain: “A frigid arctic air mass plunged temperatures below freezing over North Texas on the 19th, with some areas not rising above the freezing mark until December 30. For most areas, this was the longest period of time below freezing ever recorded. And, while some areas did not reach their coldest temperature ever recorded, it was by far the coldest December on record.
“At least six people died as a result of the cold, mostly older people who froze to death in their homes. At least two persons died of exposure, while one person died in an auto accident in Denton on ice covered roads on the 21st. Scores of people were injured during the cold spell when drizzle coated the ground on the night of the 18th, and during the day on the 21st and 27th. Wile amounts were very small, such as .03 inch liquid precipitation at DFW [Dallas/Fort Worth] on the 21st, the ice coating made not only driving hazardous, but simply walking outside became nearly impossible. One hospital in TYR [Tyler?] admitted over 70 people for injuries on the 27th, most being broken bones sustained in falls on ice.
“Utility companies were hard pressed to meet consumer demands during the siege of cold air. Gas and electric companies had to curtail commercial usage, closing a number of plants and businesses for several days. Water systems suffered tremendous problems from the cold. The Fort Worth Water Department had nearly 1000 water line breaks, with some customers being without water for three days. Some smaller rural systems were shut down entirely for days until frozen pumps could thaw. Damages from broken water lines alone amounted to millions of dollars. The cost of repairing broken city lines in Fort Worth was estimated at least $1.5 million, which excludes repairs to homes and businesses. Several million dollars more damage occurred when lines broke inside buildings and ruined walls, ceilings, floors, and furnishings.
“Agricultural losses were extremely high, with estimates in the tens of millions of dollars. Insurance adjusters said initial claims for the state were in excess of $50 million and could easily pass $100 million.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 28.)
NCDC, Western TX, Later half of month, Winter Storms: “It was one of the coldest arctic air outbreaks ever in West Texas from the middle of December to nearly the end of the month. Low temperature records tumbled everywhere; even in El Paso. It was the coldest month ever in most of the area. Amarillo established 9 low temperature records and several low maximum temperature records. The coldest was 7 degrees below zero for the coldest ever in December. The all-time low for December in San Angelo was 1 below zero and it was 6 degrees in Midland. The low of 10 degrees broke the record for the 29th in El Paso. Numerous low temperature records were also established in Lubbock. Records for the longest number of days with freezing temperatures also fell in many sections. In Amarillo the highest pressure at 31.11 is the new highest presser ever.
“The cold spell brought disruptions, suffering and property destruction. It also brought death. One man died in El Paso and six, a whole family, in Hart. The man was found in an abandoned car while the family was found in a small, totally sealed house with a defective gas heater.
“Cattle losses were high; particularly in the Panhandle. Water from water pipes, broken by ice, gushed inside thousands of homes and other buildings, resulting in considerable damage.
“Snow and ice covered roads created numerous traffic accidents. Luckily, the snow was not particularly heavy in most places, except in parts of the Panhandle where blizzard-like conditions appeared at times due to the heavy snow and strong, bitterly cold wind….” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 29.)
Virginia
NCDC, Western, Central and Northern VA Counties, Dec 21-22, Freezing Rain: “One of the worst glaze situations in years brought chaotic conditions to many sections. Thousands of highway accidents occurred over the state and scores of persons received minor injuries from falls on icy surfaces. The freezing rain began during the evening of the 21st and continued into the morning hours of the 22nd, when thawing began. Extensive power interruptions developed due to falling branches and ice-laden wires. (NCDC. Storm Data, V. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, 29.)
NCDC, Statewide, Dec 24-27, Cold: “Record breaking temperatures were prevalent over the state in one of the most severe cold outbreaks of the Century. Burst water pipes involved extensive damage to homes and business establishments, with losses into the millions. At least six persons were treated for frostbite or hypothermia, and exposure claimed the lives of at least 5 others. Some towns were without water for a time due to ruptured mains, leaving them also in precarious position from a lack of fire protection. One business concern in Arlington estimated water damage at $250,000, while nearby Fairfax County made a preliminary estimate of water pipe damage at $3 million.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 29.)
NCDC, Northern VA, Dec 28, Glaze: “Another freezing rain situation brought nearly identical conditions, striking at the rush-hour period. Major traffic delays and scores of accidents were again the bane of motorists, along with scores of pedestrians being victims of minor ice-related injuries.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 29.)
West Virginia
NCDC, Entire State, Dec 24-26, Extreme Cold: “An arctic air mass resulted in extreme cold and record low temperatures over the entire state during the period of December 24-26. Record lows included Huntington with -7 degrees F on Dec. 24; Snowshoe with -26 degrees F, Spruce Knob -22 degrees F, Marlington -18 degrees F, Elkins -17 degrees F, Charleston and Parkersburg with -10 degrees F, Huntington -9 degrees F, and Beckley and Morgantown with -15 degrees F on Dec. 25; and Welch -15 degrees F, Union -12 degrees F, and Parkersburg with -10 degrees F on Dec. 26. Strong winds accompanied the cold air pushing the wind chill factors to 50-70 degrees below zero across the state. Extensive damage was done around the state as a result of water pipes bursting in homes and businesses due to the extreme cold. One death was attributed to the cold involving a woman in Charlestown who froze.” (NCDC. Storm Data, V25, N12, 30.)
NCDC, Entire State, Dec 28, Freezing rain and Sleet: “Freezing rain and sleet swept across the state causing numerous accidents. Portions of Interstate Highways 77, 81, and 79 were closed due to heavy accumulations of ice. Vehicle accidents were reported from all over the state with numerous injuries. Wood County Airport was closed from 1 A.M. until noon due to icy runways. Injuries were also reported involving persons falling on ice covered walkways. Ice accumulations caused power lines to snap near Rock Cliff, Martinsburg, and southern portions of Berkeley County. Over 300 residents were reported to be without power for several hours.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 30.)
Wisconsin
NCDC, Statewide, Dec 17-20, Severe Cold: “A prolonged arctic cold spell invaded the state plunging temperatures well below zero. Harrison in Oneida county recorded a 44 below zero on the 19th, although there was an unofficial 56 below zero near Grantsburg in Burnett country. La Crosse set record low temperatures on 4 consecutive days (17-20). The cold weather took its toll with numerous water main breaks, frozen bridge locks, frozen water pipes in homes and businesses, and many school closures. Several power outages occurred throughout the state. The northern half of Oshkosh reported a power failure from 415 am to 815 am on the 19th. The power outage resulted in 1200 plants valued at $3000 being destroyed at the North High greenhouse when the heat failed. Numerous problems with vehicles resulted. Some of the vehicles that did start broke down on the way and were abandoned on city streets, county roads, and state and interstate highways.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 30.)
NCDC, Statewide, Dec 22-26, Severe Cold: “A second blast of frigid arctic air in less than a week screamed into the state. Strong Northwest winds sent wind chill factors to the 60 below to 80 below range. A Milwaukee woman died of exposure to the cold. A number of record low temperatures were set including 3 at Madison. In addition, both Milwaukee and Madison were each below zero for 100 consecutive hours. Cars that broke down littered streets, water mains as well as residential and business plumbing pipes broke. There were also scattered power outages. Near Madison, underground cable TV connectors froze and broke. Some churches cancelled Christmas Eve services. Some post offices delivered only 1st class mail. Wisconsin Gas Company reported record sales of natural gas.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, p. 30.)
Wyoming
NCDC, Entire State, Dec 20-25, Subzero Cold: “The worst arctic outbreak ever in December hit Wyoming full force with almost all of the state remaining below zero for five days. Overnight lows in the 20 to 40 below range were common, with quite a few towns setting record December lows. Most Wyoming residents fared much better in the bitter cold than mechanical items. A malfunctioning transformer left the town of Lander without power for 12 hours, and numerous vehicles were damaged by the extreme temperatures. The greatest damage, however, occurred to homes and businesses as hundreds of water pipes froze and burst. The State Capitol Building in Cheyenne, for example, suffered almost a quarter of a million dollars damage due to burst water pipes.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 30.)
Sources
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Associated Press. “Ol’ Man Winter Offers Little Reprieve.” Ottawa Herald, KS, 12-21-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ottawa-herald-dec-21-1983-p-1/
Associated Press. “Pennsylvania Back in Deep Freeze. Fatal Accidents Blamed on Weather.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA. 12-23-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-record-argus-dec-23-1983-p-1/
Associated Press. “Rare autumn snowstorm paralyzes Dixie.” News Herald, Panama City, FL, pp. 1 and 3. Accessed 3-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/panama-city-news-herald-dec-17-1983-p-2/
Associated Press. “Six family members die.” Paris News, TX, 12-27-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/paris-news-dec-27-1983-p-1/
Associated Press. “Snow Blankets South Arkansas. And Cold Follows.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, AR, 12-17-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fayetteville-northwest-arkansas-times-dec-17-1983-p-1/
Associated Press. “State Death Toll is Now 27…From Weather-Related Incidents.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-29-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-2-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/wilson-daily-times-dec-29-1983-p-1/
Associated Press. “State gets respite from cold; weather elsewhere frightful.” Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, 12-27-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-dec-27-1983-p-1/
Associated Press. “State Still Feels Wicked Weather.” Aiken Standard, SC, 12-28-1983, 8B. Accessed 4-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/aiken-standard-dec-28-1983-p-20/
Associated Press. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, p. 13A. Accessed 3-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette-dec-26-1983-p-29/
Associated Press. “Storm chills nation’s midsection.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 12-16-1983, A2. Accessed 3-24-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kalispell-daily-inter-lake-dec-16-1983-p-2/
Associated Press. “Sub-zero cold numbs nation.” News Herald, Panama City, FL, 12-22-1983, pp. 1-2. Accessed 3-27-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/panama-city-news-herald-dec-22-1983-p-1/
Associated Press. “Temperature marks tumble in 35 cities.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 12-23-1983, 1. Accessed 3-27-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-dec-23-1983-p-1/
Associated Press. “Temperature Starts to Rise in Old Dominion.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 12-27-1983, 3. Accessed 4-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-dec-27-1983-p-5/
Associated Press. “Temperatures to Drop Again.” Laurel Leader-Call, MS, 12-28-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/laurel-leader-call-dec-28-1983-p-1/
Associated Press. “Tot killed in crash.” The Telegraph, Nashua, NH, 12-21-1983, p. 21. Accessed 4-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/nashua-telegraph-dec-21-1983-p-21/
Associated Press. “Treacherous snowstorm buries Midwest.” Playground Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 12-16-1983, pp. 1-2. Accessed 3-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-walton-beach-playground-daily-news-dec-16-1983-p-1/
Associated Press. “Two teen-agers killed in sledding accident.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 12-30-1983, p. 3. Accessed 3-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-telegraph-dec-30-1983-p-3/
Associated Press. “Violent Weather Persists. Storm Ices Midwest.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 12-28-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fayetteville-northwest-arkansas-times-dec-28-1983-p-1/
Associated Press. “Warming in Illinois forecast.” Alton Telegraph, IL, 12-20-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/alton-telegraph-dec-20-1983-p-1/
- AP. “Warming temperatures bring avalanche danger.” Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 12-30-1983, 1. Accessed 4-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/walla-walla-union-bulletin-dec-30-1983-p-1/
Associated Press. “Weather” (cont. A1), New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung, TX, 12-28-1983, 8A. Accessed 4-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-braunfels-herald-zeitung-dec-28-1983-p-7/
Associated Press. “Weather blamed for man’s death.” Lawrence Journal-World, KS, 12-16-1983, p. 24. Accessed 3-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lawrence-journal-world-dec-16-1983-p-23/
Associated Press. “Weather Statewide.” Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. 12-31-1983, p. 2. Accessed 3-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anderson-daily-bulletin-dec-31-1983-p-2/
Associated Press. “Winter brings punishing cold, snow.” News Herald, Panama City, FL, 12-23-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/panama-city-news-herald-dec-23-1983-p-2/
Associated Press. “Winter death toll rising.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 12-30-1983, 2A. Accessed 4-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kannapolis-daily-independent-dec-30-1983-p-2/
Associated Press. “Winter hinders holiday traffic.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 12-23-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-25-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kalispell-daily-inter-lake-dec-23-1983-p-1/
Associated Press. “Winter hits U.S. with a vengeance.” Playground Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 12-23-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-walton-beach-playground-daily-news-dec-23-1983-p-1/
Associated Press. “Winter preview hits Great Plains.” Havre Daily News, MT, 12-19-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-24-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/havre-daily-news-dec-19-1983-p-1/
Associated Press. “Winter Storm Death Toll Exceeds 400.” Northwest Arkansas Times, 12-29-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fayetteville-northwest-arkansas-times-dec-29-1983-p-1/
Associated Press. “Winter’s Kansas Debut Has Style.” Ottawa Herald, KS, 12-22-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ottawa-herald-dec-22-1983-p-1/
Big Spring Herald, TX. “Weather” (Continued from 1A). 12-20-1983, p. 2A. Accessed 4-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/big-spring-herald-dec-20-1983-p-2/
Big Spring Herald, TX. “White (cold) Christmas on tap.” 12-24-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/big-spring-herald-dec-24-1983-p-1/
Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Cold” (from p. 1.). 12-27-1983, p. 4. Accessed 4-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-capital-times-dec-27-1983-p-4/
Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Cold here until Tuesday.” 12-23-1983, pp. 1 and 6. Accessed 4-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-capital-times-dec-23-1983-p-6/
Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Cold snow blast shuts Iowa roads.’ Temperatures again hit record lows.” 12-25-1983, 1. Accessed 3-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette-dec-25-1983-p-6/
Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Iowa’s December cold spell heading for record books?” 12-23-1983. p. 11A. Accessed 3-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette-dec-23-1983-p-22/
Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Iowa” 13A, continued from “Travelers get break from the weather.” 12-26-1983, p. 1A. Accessed 3-20-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette-dec-26-1983-p-1/
Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Hubert Eiben, Chatham ex-jeweler, dies of cold.” 12-30-1983, B-2. Accessed 4-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/elyria-chronicle-telegram-dec-30-1983-p-12/
Clovis News Journal, NM. “Exposure ruled cause of death.” 12-27-1983, p. 2. Accessed 4-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/clovis-news-journal-dec-27-1983-p-2/
Colorado Springs Gazette, CO. “Cold night expected in Springs,” 12-28-1983, p. 2. Accessed 3-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-dec-28-1983-p-2/
Colorado Springs Gazette, CO. “Weather to Improve.” 12-29-1983, p. 2. Accessed 3-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-dec-29-1983-p-2/
Courier News, Blytheville, AR. “Man’s Body Found.” 12-28-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/blytheville-courier-news-dec-28-1983-p-1/
Daily Herald, Mount Prospect, IL. “Snow chokes roads; 1 killed.” 12-22-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-herald-suburban-chicago-dec-22-1983-p-57/
Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, FL. “Crestview man found dead in unheated house.” 1-2-1984, p. 2B. Accessed 3-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-walton-beach-playground-daily-news-jan-02-1984-p-16/
Daily Times-News, Burlington, NC. “Icy weather blamed for deaths of three people.” 12-28-1983, B1. Accessed 4-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-daily-times-news-dec-28-1983-p-19/
Daily Times-News, Burlington, NC. “Record-breaking cold blamed for deaths.” 12-26-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-daily-times-news-dec-26-1983-p-1/
Evening Review, East Liverpool, OH, “Man, 51, Frozen to Death in Ohio.” 12-30-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/east-liverpool-evening-review-dec-30-1983-p-1/
Evening Review, East Liverpool, OH. “Winter Puts Tri-State on Skids.” 12-28-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/east-liverpool-evening-review-dec-28-1983-p-1/
Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. “Hanover woman, area man die in crashes on icy Ft. 15.” 12-29-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hanover-evening-sun-dec-29-1983-p-1/
Evening Sun, Hanover, PA, “Hypothermia victim was trapped by one’s ‘basic right to freedom’.” 12-30-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hanover-evening-sun-dec-30-1983-p-1/
Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. “Woman freezes to death.” 12-27-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hanover-evening-sun-dec-27-1983-p-1/
Fort Madison Daily Democrat, IA. “Another day of bitter cold for FM area.” 12-24-1983, p. 2. Accessed 3-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-madison-daily-democrat-dec-24-1983-p-1/
Fort Madison Daily Democrat, IA. “Area’s frigid weather eases.” 12-27-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-madison-daily-democrat-dec-27-1983-p-1/
Frederick News Post, MD. “Freezing rain.” 12-29-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-31-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/frederick-news-post-dec-29-1983-p-7/
Gaarder, Nancy. “Frozen in our memories: Readers recall coldest December on record — in 1983.” Omaha World-Herald, NE, 12-26-2013. Accessed 3-24-2019 at: https://www.omaha.com/news/frozen-in-our-memories-readers-recall-coldest-december-on-record/article_d75317ba-4c43-587a-8f13-02a187d1114f.html
Greenwich News, CT. “Exposure to cold cited in Daycroft student’s death.” 12-22-1983, p. 4. Accessed 3-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenwich-news-dec-22-1983-p-6/
Hutchinson News, KS, “Christmas cold a record.” 12-26-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-31-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hutchinson-news-dec-25-1983-p-124/
Hutchinson News, KS. “Regional weather conditions…Kansas.” 12-29-1983, p. 10. Accessed 3-31-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hutchinson-news-dec-29-1983-p-50/
Hutchinson News, KS. “Regional weather conditions…Kansas.” 12-30-1983, p. 16. Accessed 3-31-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hutchinson-news-dec-30-1983-p-96/
Hutchinson News, KS. “Sunday car-truck collision kills two Hutchinson women.” 12-26-1983, p. 3. Accessed 3-31-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hutchinson-news-dec-26-1983-p-3/
Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Fall causes death.” 12-30-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-gazette-dec-30-1983-p-1/
Joplin Globe, MO. “Storm blasts area.” 12-20-1983, p. 10A. Accessed 4-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/joplin-globe-dec-20-1983-p-10/
Joplin Globe, MO. “Weather record set.” 12-24-1983, p. 12A. Accessed 4-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/joplin-globe-dec-24-1983-p-12/
Kenosha News, WI. “Arctic chill puts wraps on Kenosha. Three Kenosha deaths reported.” 12-25-1983, p. 3. Accessed 4-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kenosha-news-dec-25-1983-p-3/
Key West Citizen, FL. “Cold December getting colder.” 12-23-1983, p. 2. Accessed 3-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/key-west-citizen-dec-23-1983-p-2/
Key West Citizen, FL. “More cold weather due.” 12-29-1983., p. 2. Accessed 3-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/key-west-citizen-dec-29-1983-p-2/
Key West Citizen, FL. “Six dead of cold in Fla.” 12-27-1983, p. 2. Accessed 3-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/key-west-citizen-dec-27-1983-p-2/
Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Use common sense to survive.” 12-25-1983, p. 10. Accessed 3-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kokomo-tribune-dec-25-1983-p-10/
Laurel Leader-Call. “11th Death Linked To Cold.” 1-2-1984, p. 3. Accessed 4-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/laurel-leader-call-jan-02-1984-p-3/
Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Winter crashes in with wrecks, chills.” 12-15-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lawrence-journal-world-dec-15-1983-p-1/
Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, WI. “Five children die as family home burns.” 12-20-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/eau-claire-leader-telegram-dec-20-1983-p-1/
National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983. Asheville, NC: NCDC/NOAA. Accessed 3-22-2019 at: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/sd/sd.html
National Weather Service, Sioux Falls, SD Weather Forecast Office. Big Weather Events of the 20th Century at Sioux Falls, SD. Accessed 4-3-2019 at: https://www.weather.gov/fsd/20thcentury
New York Times (Fay S. Joyce). “Numbing Cold Brings Death and Misery to South.” 12-30-1983, A10. Accessed 4-2-2019 at: https://www.nytimes.com/1983/12/30/us/numbing-cold-brings-death-and-misery-to-south.html
News-Herald, Franklin, PA. “Hypothermia, cardiac arrest blamed in death.” 12-29-1983, p. 8. Accessed 4-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/franklin-news-herald-dec-29-1983-p-6/
Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville. “Obituaries.” 1-1-1984, p. 2. Accessed 3-26-2019 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/fayetteville-northwest-arkansas-times-jan-01-1984-p-2/
Odessa American, TX. “Weather: Cold continues.” 12-21-1983, p. 2. Accessed 4-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/odessa-american-dec-21-1983-p-2/
Odessa American, TX. “Weather: Warmer.” 12-31-1987, p. 2. Accessed 4-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/odessa-american-dec-31-1983-p-2/
Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Weather Blamed in 2nd Death.” 12-23-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-dec-23-1983-p-1/
Post Standard, Syracuse, NY. “2 Killed on Icy Roads in CNY.” 12-24-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-dec-24-1983-p-1/
Quanah Tribune Chief, TX. “Man killed in Truck Wreck,” 12-29-1983, pp. 1-2. Accessed 4-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/quanah-tribune-chief-dec-29-1983-p-2/
Salina Journal, KS. “Beloit your dies after car is stuck.” 12-25-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-31-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salina-journal-dec-25-1983-p-1/
Salina Journal, KS. “Snow-covered roads add to driving woes.” 12-22-1983, p. 3. Accessed 3-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salina-journal-dec-22-1983-p-3/
Sedalia Democrat, MO. “Weather.” 12-20-1983, p. 4. Accessed 4-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sedalia-democrat-dec-20-1983-p-4/
Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Malone woman killed in crash.” 12-27-1983, p. D4-M. Accessed 4-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-journal-dec-27-1983-p-222/
Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Paris basks as we shiver.” 12-27-1983, p. 3. Accessed 4-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-journal-dec-27-1983-p-3/
Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Two die as snow storms continue.” 12-28-1983, p. B-4. Accessed 4-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-journal-dec-28-1983-p-95/
Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Yes, a white Christmas…Two state deaths.” 12-23-1983, p. 3. Accessed 4-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-journal-dec-23-1983-p-3/
The Capital, Annapolis, MD. “Storm greets winter. Icy area roads kill one man.” 12-22-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-31-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/annapolis-capital-dec-22-1983-p-1/
The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. “Temporary relief from arctic temps.” 12-27-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-hawk-eye-dec-27-1983-p-1/
Times Tribune, Corbin, KY. “Record low temperatures take toll locally.” 12-27-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-31-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/corbin-times-tribune-dec-27-1983-p-1/
United Press International. “Arctic blast rocks South.” Key West Citizen, FL. 1-1-1984, p. 2. Accessed 3-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/key-west-citizen-jan-01-1984-p-2/
United Press International. “Arctic cold numbs Plains.” Key West Citizen, FL, 12-18-1983, p. 2. Accessed 3-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/key-west-citizen-dec-18-1983-p-2/
United Press International. “Best advice: stay inside till Sunday.” Journal Courier, Jacksonville, IL, 12-24-1983, p.28. Accessed 3-28-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/jacksonville-journal-courier-dec-24-1983-p-27/
United Press International. “Brrrrr! Is it Cold.” Courier-Express, DuBois, PA, 12-24-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubois-courier-express-dec-24-1983-p-1/
United Press International. “Chimney Clog Kills 2.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN, 12-29-1983, p. 15. Accessed 3-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-dec-29-1983-p-15/
United Press International. “Cold sets records.” Key West Citizen, FL, 12-25-1983, p. 2. Accessed 3-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/key-west-citizen-dec-25-1983-p-2/
United Press International. “Cold weather slows holiday travel, halts mail.” Jacksonville Journal Courier, IL, 12-25-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/jacksonville-journal-courier-dec-25-1983-p-1/
United Press International. “Freezing rain, sleet, snow coating North Texas.” Brownsville Herald, TX, 12-21-1983, p.3. Accessed 4-3-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/brownsville-herald-dec-21-1983-p-37/
United Press International. “Freezing weather halts Christmas mail; 137 dead. 12-24-1983. Accessed 3-23-2019 at: https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/12/24/Freezing-weather-halts-Christmas-mail-137-dead/5277441090000/
United Press International. “Elsewhere. Iowa-Illinois.” The Hawk Eye, 12-19-1983, p. 2. Accessed 3-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-hawk-eye-dec-19-1983-p-2/
United Press International. “It’s here, in case you haven’t noticed.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 12-22-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrisburg-daily-register-dec-22-1983-p-1/
United Press International. “Record cold continues throughout Michigan.” Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI, 12-27-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-31-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/marshall-evening-chronicle-dec-27-1983-p-1/
United Press International. “Slick roads cause fatality.” Altoona Mirror, PA, 12-29-1983, B4. Accessed 4-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/altoona-mirror-dec-29-1983-p-16/
United Press International. “State gets fresh blast of cold.” Jacksonville Journal Courier, IL, 12-29-1983, p. 16. Accessed 3-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/jacksonville-journal-courier-dec-29-1983-p-16/
United Press International. “Storm watch posted [for IN] for tonight.” Rushville Republican, IN, 12-27-1983, p. 1. Accessed 3-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/rushville-republican-dec-27-1983-p-1/
United Press International. “Texas citrus gripped by freeze.” Key West Citizen, FL, 12-30-1983, p.1. Accessed 3-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/key-west-citizen-dec-30-1983-p-1/
United Press International. “Texas is expected to thaw.” Brownsville Herald, TX, 12-30-1983, 2A. Accessed 4-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brownsville-herald-dec-30-1983-p-30/
United Press International. “Texas warms up to near freezing Weather.” Brownsville Herald, 12-23-1983, 2. Accessed 4-3-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/brownsville-herald-dec-23-1983-p-2/
United Press International. “Toddler Dies of Exposure After Wandering Outside,” Syracuse Post-Standard, NY, 12-27-1983, p. 5. Accessed 4-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-dec-27-1983-p-5/
United Press International. “Unprecedented Arctic cold breaks records across nation.” Hutchinson News, KS, 12-23-1983, p. 10. Accessed 3-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hutchinson-news-dec-23-1983-p-104/
United Press International. “Weather.” Ukiah Daily Journal, CA, 12-29-1983, p. 16. Accessed 3-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ukiah-daily-journal-dec-29-1983-p-16/
United Press International. “Weather. Nation.” Ukiah Daily Journal, CA, 12-30-1983, p. 11. Accessed 3-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ukiah-daily-journal-dec-30-1983-p-11/
United Press International. “Weather could cause brownouts.” Brownsville Herald, 12-22-1983, p. 2A. Accessed 4-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brownsville-herald-dec-22-1983-p-42/
United Press International. “Winter storms’ death toll reaches 47.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 12-21-1983, p.16. Accessed 3-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrisburg-daily-register-dec-21-1983-p-16/
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA. “3 below zero. Bitter cold expected to continue…” 12-22-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/walla-walla-union-bulletin-dec-22-1983-p-1/
Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Snowstorm coats southern Wisconsin.” 12-15-1983, p. 1. Accessed 4-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-dec-15-1983-p-1/
Yuma Sun, AZ. “Nation: Warming up.” 1-2-1984, p. 15. Accessed 4-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/yuma-sun-jan-02-1984-p-15/
Additional References
Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex Weather. December 18, 1983 – The 31st Anniversary of the Historical Cold Snap. Accessed 3-24-2019 at: http://www.dfwweather.org/wxblog/?tag=december-1983
Erdman, Jon. “America’s Coldest Outbreaks.” The Weather Channel, 1-17-2018. Accessed 3-29-2019 at: https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/america-coldest-outbreaks
National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Cleveland, OH. Christmas 1983 Blizzard and Cold 30 Year Anniversary. Cleveland, OH: NWS. Accessed 3-24-2019 at: https://www.weather.gov/cle/xmas1983blizzard
National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Dodge City, KS. 32 Year Anniversary of December 1983 Arctic Outbreak. Dodge City, KS: NWS. Accessed 3-24-2019 at: https://www.weather.gov/ddc/December1983ArcticOutbreak
Sheehan, Joe (National Weather Service, Sioux Falls, SD, retired). December 1983: The coldest December on Record. Sioux Falls, SD: National Weather Service. Accessed 3-24-2019 at: https://www.weather.gov/fsd/dec1983-recordcold
Stormtrack. “The great arctic outbreak of December 1983.” 11-28-2013. Accessed 3-24-2019 at: https://stormtrack.org/community/threads/the-great-arctic-outbreak-of-december-1983.27099/
Suckling. W. “The U.S. cold wave of December 1983: An assessment utilizing the historical record since 1940.” Archives for Meteorology, Geophysics, and Bioclimatology, Series A, Vol. 34, Issue 1, pp. 51-58, March 1985. Summary accessed 3-24-2019 at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02267395
United Press International. “Cold Records Fall in 129 Cities in 30 States.” Loc Angeles Times, 12-23-1989. Accessed 3-29-2019 at: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-12-23-mn-559-story.html
Weatherwise. “The Record Cold of December 1983.” Vol. 37, Issue 1, 1984, p. 49, published online 7-8-2010. Accessed 3-29-2019 at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00431672.1984.9933232
Yakoubian, Todd. “The Historic December 1983 Arctic Outbreak.” Arkansas Weather Blog, 12-12-2010. Accessed 3-24-2019 at: http://arkansasweather.blogspot.com/2010/12/historic-december-1983-arctic-outbreak.html
[1] The range of our tally is based on State/locality breakouts below. The specificity does not mean exactness. Our number just represents the low and high ends of the range we note. It is, of course, quite possible that we have missed other deaths — we could have missed seeing them in the newspapers we looked through. Secondly, there are newspapers to which we do not have access. We should also note that the press at the time noted deaths in 44-46 States, whereas we have found reporting on deaths in 41 States. This document was compiled by B. Wayne Blanchard, March-April, 2019, for inclusion in U.S. Deadly Events at: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com
[2] Yuma Sun, AZ. “Nation: Warming up.” 1-2-1984, p. 15.
[3] “At least 451 people in 44 states have died in the year-end cold wave.”
[4] Date range is mine. Article notes “The death toll from the big chill of the past two weeks climbed past 430…”
[5] “Since Dec. 17, when an arctic cold wave blasted Northern states, the weather has been blamed for more than 400 deaths…including a 19-year-old student who was caught in an avalanche Wednesday [28th] on Mount Rainier…”
[6] This number represents primarily exposure/hypothermia deaths.
[7] Amongst the breakout of deaths were seven hypothermia and five exposure. NCDC notes 13 exposure deaths. This, and the sledding accident which happened the next day (31st) explains how our tally of 30 differs from the 29 reported by the Associated Press.
[8] NCDC cites Arkansas Department of Health for the exposure death data.
[9] Victim identified as J. Richardson, 74, of Hayti, MO, about 27 miles northeast of Blytheville. Body was found south of Blytheville, which is just south of the MO border, in a field off Highway 61. (Courier News, Blytheville, AR. “Man’s Body Found.” 12-28-1983, p. 1.)
[10] Probably a reference to Joe Watson Jr., 41, who was found in the yard of a house outside Dumas after fleeing from police Dec 22. (AP. “Frigid Cold Claims 29th.” Courier News, Blytheville, AR, 12-30-1983, p. 1.)
[11] Associated Press. “Frigid Cold Claims 29th.” Courier News, Blytheville, AR, 12-30-1983, p. 1.
https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-telegraph-dec-25-1983-p-12/[12] Victims were Daniel Kevin Williams, 3, and Christy Varner, 6, both of Fayetteville, AR. (Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville. “Storm Toll Mounts Across State.” 12-23-1983, p. 1.)
[13] Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville. “Obituaries.” 1-1-1984, p. 2.
[14] Associated Press. “Frigid Cold Claims 29th.” Courier News, Blytheville, AR, 12-30-1983, p. 1.
[15] AP. “Frigid Cold Claims 29th.” Courier News, Blytheville, AR, 12-30-1983, p. 1. El Dorado was the other.
[16] Associated Press. “Frigid Cold Claims 29th.” Courier News, Blytheville, AR, 12-30-1983, p. 1.
[17] Associated Press. “Frigid Cold Claims 29th.” Courier News, Blytheville, AR, 12-30-1983, p. 1. Article actually notes eight traffic deaths, but we separate out the two Farmington area deaths since we had locality information.
[18] For the purpose of coming up with a number to include in the death toll we assume “many” means at least 3.
[19] For the purpose of coming up with a number to include in the death toll we assume “fatalities” mean at least 2.
[20] Associated Press. “Frigid Cold Claims 29th.” Courier News, Blytheville, AR, 12-30-1983, p. 1. This could not be the Springdale sledding accident in that it did not occur until the day after this paper was published.
[21] The driver of the out-of-control car, Ray Harman, 27, of Crested Butte, was the fatality. (AP. “No thaw in sight.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 12-21-1983, A3.)
[22] AP. “No thaw in sight.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 12-21-1983, A3.
[23] Colorado Springs Gazette, CO. “8 below recorded in city. Weather to improve.” 12-29-1983, pp. 1-2.
[24] Victim identified as Daryl L. Arnold, 30, of Denver. (Colorado Springs Gazette, CO. “Cold night expected in Springs,” 12-28-1983, p. 2.)
[25] Victim identified as Juanita Madrid, 33. Colorado Springs Gazette, CO. “Weather to Improve.” 12-29-1983, p. 2.
[26] Victim identified as Kevin McCabe, 20, of nearby Nucla. Body was about 600 yards from the stranded pickup; wife, baby, and dog survived in the truck. (Associated Press. “Man, 20 freezes to death.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 12-30-1983, p. B5.)
[27] Greenwich News, CT. “Exposure to cold cited in Daycroft student’s death.” 12-22-1983, p. 4.
[28] Elderly men. (Key West Citizen, FL. Six dead of cold in Fla.” 12-27-1983, p. 2.) Apparently homeless men in that a later article referred to the men as “derelicts.” (Key West Citizen, FL. Six dead of cold in Fla.” 12-27-1983, p. 2.)
[29] Two victims identified as Theodore Burrows, 61, Charles Piersall, 53. (Key West Citizen, FL. Six dead of cold in Fla.” 12-27-1983, p. 2.) Paper also notes an unidentified man was found dead next to his wheelchair on a downtown street and was counted among the “victims of the cold snap.” Notes that medical examiners found high level of alcohol in his blood, and that victim seemed to be an alcoholic. Two victims were apparently homeless men in that another article referred to them as “derelicts.” (Key West Citizen, FL. Six dead of cold in Fla.” 12-27-1983, p. 2.)
[30] Sixty-year old man. (Key West Citizen, FL. Six dead of cold in Fla.” 12-27-1983, p. 2.) Apparently homeless man in that later article referred to victim as a derelict. (Key West Citizen, FL. Six dead of cold in Fla.” 12-27-1983, p. 2.)
[31] Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, FL. “Crestview man found dead in unheated house.” 1-2-1984, p. 2B.
[32] Key West Citizen, FL. “More cold weather due.” 12-29-1983., p. 2.
[33] Key West Citizen, FL. Six dead of cold in Fla.” 12-27-1983, p. 2.
[34] Associated Press. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, p. 13A.
[35] Associated Press. “Sub-zero cold numbs nation.” News Herald, Panama City, FL, 12-22-1983, p. 2.
[36] United Press International. “Arctic blast rocks South.” Key West Citizen, FL. 1-1-1984, p. 2.
[37] Notes: The mercury plunged to 19 below zero at 1:20 a.m. Friday in Chicago, shattering the city’s 111-year-old mark by one degree. Wind chill readings plummeted to 50-below. The NWS reported 18 below at Rockford…”
[38] Associated Press. “Warming in Illinois forecast.” Alton Telegraph, IL, 12-20-1983, p. 1.
[39] UPI. “Best advice: stay inside till Sunday.” Journal Courier, Jacksonville, IL, 12-24-1983, p. 28.
[40] Associated Press. “Cold, Ice and Snow Disrupt Travel for Christmas.” New York Times, 12-24-1983. Another source notes: “Fire Commissioner Lewis Galante said an investigation showed residents had attempted to tap the main gas line with a flexible hose because Peoples Gas Co. shut off service when bills had not been paid. The hose was inserted into the main line before it reached the building’s meter, Galante said. The gas apparently was routed to a space heater, which triggered an explosion of flames. Killed were J.W. Brimmer, 25, and five Brimmer children: J.W. Jr., 1; Tyree and Frizetta, both 3; Mark, 18 months, and Gerall, 6.” (UPI. “Best advice: stay inside till Sunday.” Journal Courier, Jacksonville, IL, 12-24-1983, p. 28.)
[41] United Press International. “Cold sets records.” Key West Citizen, FL, 12-25-1983, p. 2.
[42] UPI. “Cold weather slows holiday travel, halts mail.” Jacksonville Journal Courier, IL, 12-25-1983, p. 1.
[43] United Press International. “State gets fresh blast of cold.” Jacksonville Journal Courier, IL, 12-29-1983, p. 16. Writes: The body of Josephine Daniels was found buried under the snow in a grassy area Tuesday evening [27th], two days after she was reported missing.”
[44] United Press International. “State gets fresh blast of cold.” Jacksonville Journal Courier, IL, 12-29-1983, p. 16.
[45] The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. “Temporary relief from arctic temps.” 12-27-1983, p. 1.
[46] AP. “Arctic freeze eases grips, more cold predicted.” Daily Republican-Register, Mt. Carmel, IL, 12-27-1983, p.8.
[47] “…Therese Zabraha, apparently wandered away Friday [16th] from the American Aid Society home where she lived…Her body–dressed in pajamas, a light robe and slippers–was found in the driveway of a vacant house less than two blocks from the home…” Notes the temperature dipped to minus 17° overnight. (Associated Press. “Warming in Illinois forecast.” Alton Telegraph, IL, 12-20-1983, p. 1.)
[48] Daily Herald, Mount Prospect, IL. “Snow chokes roads; 1 killed.” 12-22-1983, p. 1.
[49] UPI. “Best advice: stay inside till Sunday.” Journal Courier, Jacksonville, IL, 12-24-1983, p. 28.
[50] AP. “Arctic freeze eases grips, more cold predicted.” Daily Republican-Register, Mt. Carmel, IL, 12-27-1983, p.8.
[51] Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. “Anderson man freezes to death.” 12-27-1983, p. 1. Notes that County Coroner ruled death due to exposure. There was no electricity either.
[52] Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Weather Blamed in 2nd Death.” 12-23-1983, p. 1.
[53] Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. “Deep freeze continues. Man dies in cold; fire destroys 2 homes.” 12-26-1983, p. 1. Victim identified as Oscar Casas, 30, of Elwood, in Madison County.
[54] United Press International. “Arctic blast rocks South.” Key West Citizen, FL. 1-1-1984, p. 2.
[55] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Use common sense to survive.” 12-25-1983, p. 10. Four-year-old Joseph Smith of Peru, IN, was visiting grandparents in Galveston, in Cass County, IN. The boy went outside to play in minus 10 degree weather and fell into a ditch filled with water from an overflowed well. When he was discovered about one-hour later it was thought, the Galveston Fire Department was called to rescue him from the ditch. He was then taken to St. Joseph Memorial Hospital and then airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where he died four hours later.
[56] Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Weather Blamed in 2nd Death.” 12-23-1983, p. 1.
[57] Associated Press. “Hazardous roads in forecast.” Kokomo Tribune, IN, 12-28-1983, p. 1.)
[58] Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. “Record 19 below grips Anderson.” 12-24-1983, p. 2. Notes that Indianapolis set a new record for the coldest temperature ever in December, with -17°, beating the -15 recorded 12-9-1876.
[59] Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. “Deep freeze continues. Man dies in cold; fire destroys 2 homes.” 12-26-1983, p. 2. Victim identified as Wilma Pettypiece, 53.
[60] Victims identified as Cicero L. Hubert Jr., 54 and B. Shirley Stock, 46. (Associated Press. “Hazardous roads in forecast.” Kokomo Tribune, IN, 12-28-1983, p. 1.)
[61] Associated Press. “Hazardous roads in forecast.” Kokomo Tribune, IN, 12-28-1983, p. 1.)
[62] Last seen alive Friday, 23rd. Partially frozen bodies found by police Wednesday, 28th. (United Press International. “Chimney Clog Kills 2.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN, 12-29-1983, p. 15.)
[63] Associated Press. “Weather Statewide.” Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. 12-31-1983, p. 2. Notes that the low temperature of 14 below zero Friday [30th] at 2 a.m in Indianapolis, “made it the coldest Dec 30 in the city’s history. The previous record low was 8 below in 1880 and 1909.”
[64] Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. “Record 19 below grips Anderson.” 12-24-1983, p. 2.
[65] United Press International. “Storm watch posted [for IN] for tonight.” Rushville Republican, IN, 12-27-1983, p.1.
[66] “Assistant Dubuque County Medical Examiner John Cook said exposure to the cold weather was at least partially responsible for the death of snowmobilers Brad Hefel, 18, and Ben Steger [20, UPI], both of Holy cross in an accident Saturday night.” (Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Iowa.” 12-20-1983, 11A.) UPI notes location was near Balltown. (United Press International. “Elsewhere. Iowa-Illinois.” The Hawk Eye, 12-19-1983, p. 2.)
[67] Associated Press. “Man dies in barn.” Ottumwa Courier, IA, 12-21-1983, p. 15.
[68] Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Iowa’s December cold spell heading for record books?” 12-23-1983. p. 11A.
[69] Gaarder, “Frozen in our memories…coldest Dec. on record — in 1983,” Omaha World-Herald, NE, 12-26-2013; Victims identified as Joan Kelsey, 55, and Linda Bennett, 33, of Crystal, MN. (Associated Press. “Forecasters promise respite from cold.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. 12-27-1983, p. 7A.)
[70] Victim identified as Timothy Diller, 25. (Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Iowa.” 12-20-1983, 11A.)
[71] Klein, 24, driver of the pickup was slowing down to avoid stalled car on icy county road L-36 two miles south of Dunlap, when his pickup slid off the road and rolled over into the ditch. (Associated Press. “Driver suffocates.” Ottumwa Courier, IA. 12-30-1983, p. 3.)
[72] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 18. Victim identified as Sarah Evelyn Wood, 70. (Fairfield Ledger, IA. “Local woman found dead from exposure.” 12-27-1983, p. 1.)
[73] Fort Madison resident, Beatrice Elizabeth Dietsch, 34, was visiting friend across the Mississippi River in Niota, IL. The friend started a wood burning stove in the morning and went outdoors. Fire started while Ms. Dietsch was asleep. One Niota Fire Dept. truck could not get around snow covered roads and another became stuck in snowdrift.
[74] Fort Madison Daily Democrat, IA. “Area’s frigid weather eases.” 12-27-1963, p. 1.
[75] United Press International. “Arctic cold numbs Plains.” Key West Citizen, FL, 12-18-1983, p. 2. Victim identified as Theodore Hartkopp, 79, of Popejoy. (Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Iowa.” 12-20-1983, 11A.)
[76] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 18. Victims identifies as Chris Brian Fouch, 24, and Davina Marie Helm, 25, both of Jefferson. (Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Iowa” 13A, continued from “Travelers get break from the weather.” 12-26-1983, p. 1A.)
[77] Fort Madison Daily Democrat, IA. “Another day of bitter cold for FM area.” 12-24-1983, p. 2. NCDC incorrectly shows death timeframe as Dec 24-25.
[78] Victim identified as Randolph Lovseth, passenger in car that became stuck on township road south of Asherville. The youth fell asleep. (Salina Journal, KS. “Beloit your dies after car is stuck.” 12-25-1983, p. 1.) Another article notes that when the car became stuck in a snowdrift, the three teenagers inside “decided to stay in the automobile until daylight. The temperature in the area at the time was 18 below zero with a wind chill factor of about minus 60..” (Hutchinson News, KS. “Sunday car-truck collision kills two Hutchinson women.” 12-26-1983, 3.)
[79] Victim was James Sizemore, 21. (Hutchinson News, KS. “Sunday car-truck collision kills two Hutchinson women.” 12-26-1983, p. 3.)
[80] Victim was Charles P. Adam, 57. (AP. “Winter’s Kansas Debut Has Style.” Ottawa Herald, KS, 12-22-1983, 1.)
[81] Victim identified as Donald W. Swift, 57, of Strong City, killed on U.S. 50. (Salina Journal, KS. “Snow-covered roads add to driving woes.” 12-22-1983, p. 3.)
[82] Victim identified as Marguerite Berry, 76, of Oklahoma City. (Associated Press. “Ol’ Man Winter Offers Little Reprieve.” Ottawa Herald, KS, 12-21-1983, p. 1.)
[83] Duane Crooks, 35, of Eureka. (Hutchinson News, KS. “Regional weather conditions… Kansas.” 12-30-1983, 16.)
[84] AP. “Treacherous snowstorm buries Midwest.” Playground Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 12-16-1983, 1-2. Victim identified as Robert Fuhrman, 79. NWS reported temperature was around 19 degrees at the time. (Associated Press. “Weather blamed for man’s death.” Lawrence Journal-World, KS, 12-16-1983, p. 24.)
[85] AP. “Weather blamed for man’s death.” Lawrence Journal-World, KS, 12-16-1983, p. 24. Temp. reported ~19°.
[86] Vivian Russell, 61, Page City. (AP. “Chill factor reaches 40 below.” Garden City Telegram, KS, 12-20-1983, 2.)
[87] Hutchinson News, KS. “Regional weather conditions…Kansas.” 12-29-1983, p. 10.
[88] “…Wichita police said Otto Whittaker, 48, froze to death late Saturday night in a condemned apartment building in downtown Wichita. Whittaker was among a group of vagrants using the unheated building as a shelter from the sub-zero temperatures…Police said they found a space heater in the apartment where…[the] body was discovered about 10 p.m.” (Hutchinson News, KS. “Sunday car-truck collision kills two Hutchinson women.” 12-26-1983, p. 3.)
[89] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 19.
[90] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 19. We convert “a few” into “2” for purposes of tally.
[91] AP. “Snow Blankets South Arkansas…Cold Follows.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 12-17-1983, p. 1.
[92] United Press International. “Arctic blast rocks South.” Key West Citizen, FL. 1-1-1984, p. 2.
[93] Associated Press. “Coating of ice frosts Dixie.” Playground Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 12-28-1983, p.2.
[94] Associated Press. “Fire, Cold Mark Start of New Year’s Weekend.” Cumberland Times, MD, 1-1-1984.
[95] Victim identified as Edwin H. Owen Jr., 33, of Brooklyn Park. (The Capital, Annapolis, MD. “Storm greets winter. Icy area roads kill one man.” 12-22-1983, p. 1.)
[96] Victim identified as Ricky Dean, 20, of Callaway. (Frederick News Post, MD. “Freezing rain.” 12-29-1983, p. 1.)
[97] Frederick News Post, MD. “Freezing rain.” 12-29-1983, p. 1.
[98] Associated Press. “Three die in accidents. Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 12-19-1983, p. 10.
[99] The AP reported death in Detroit woman, 28, mother of two who “was found frozen to a chain-link fence outside her home.” (Assoc. Press. “December cold records shattered.” News Herald, Panama City, FL, 12-25-1983, p. 1.) Another source identifies victim as Shirley McKay, 28, of Detroit. (UPI. “Record cold continues throughout Michigan.” Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI, 12-27-1983, p. 1.)
[100] Victim identified as Mary Walker. (United Press International. “Record cold continues throughout Michigan.” Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI, 12-27-1983, p. 1.)
[101] UPI. “Record cold continues throughout Michigan.” Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI, 12-27-1983, p. 1
[102] Victims identified as Robert Padron, 24, and her three children, Jeffrey, 7, Deborah, 5, and David, 4-months. (United Press International. “It’s here, in case you haven’t noticed.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 12-22-1983, 1.)
[103] Victim identified as Thaddeus Gaillard, 61. (United Press International. “Record cold continues throughout Michigan.” Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI, 12-27-1983, p. 1)
[104] Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Winter crashes in with wrecks, chills.” 12-15-1983, p. 1.
[105] AP. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
[106] United Press Int. “It’s here, in case you haven’t noticed.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 12-22-1983, p. 1.
[107] Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Winter crashes in with wrecks, chills.” 12-15-1983, p. 1.
[108] Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Winter crashes in with wrecks, chills.” 12-15-1983, p. 1.
[109] Article notes the Dec 31 Meridian death was “the fifth Meridian resident to die from exposure to cold since the deep freeze hit the state over the Christmas holiday.” We have found detail for one other Meridian exposure death. We hypothesize that the other deaths were from the nearby communities of Collinsville, Meehan, and Toomsuba.
[110] AP. “Snow Blankets South Arkansas…Cold Follows.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 12-17-1983, p. 1. Also: Associated Press. “Rare autumn snowstorm paralyzes Dixie.” News Herald, Panama City, FL, pp. 1 and 3.
[111] Associated Press. “Gradual Warming Expected This Weekend.” Laurel-Leader-Call, MS, 12-29-1983, p. 1.
[112] Associated Press. “Rare autumn snowstorm paralyzes Dixie.” News Herald, Panama City, FL, pp. 1 and 3.
[113] Associated Press. “Cold Blamed in Four Deaths.” Laurel Leader-Call.” 12-27-1983, p. 11
[114] Florene Patterson, 83. (Assoc. Press. “Cold Blamed in Four Deaths.” Laurel Leader-Call.” 12-27-1983, p. 11.)
[115] Laurel Leader-Call. “11th Death Linked To Cold.” 1-2-1984, p. 3. Write: “Temperatures had dipped to 18 degrees New Year’s Eve in Meridian. Lauderdale County Coroner Marl Cobler said Booker had probably died New Year’s Eve from hypothermia — exposure to cold.”
[116] Associated Press. “Cold Blamed in Four Deaths.” Laurel Leader-Call.” 12-27-1983, p. 11. AP notes that the victim was found dead on the floor near a small, unlit has heater, the only source of heat in the three-room house.
[117] Associated Press. “Gradual Warming Expected This Weekend.” Laurel-Leader-Call, MS, 12-29-1983, p. 1.
[118] United Press International. “Arctic cold numbs Plains.” Key West Citizen, FL, 12-18-1983, p. 2.
[119] Victim identified as Howard Brooker, Jr., of Springfield. (Sedalia Democrat, MO. “Weather.” 12-20-1983, p. 4.)
[120] Victim identified as Dorsie W. Gibbs. Joplin Globe, MO. “Storm blasts area.” 12-20-1983, p. 10A.
[121] Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Winter crashes in with wrecks, chills.” 12-15-1983, p. 1.
[122] Assoc. Press. “Cold grips U.S. in hammerlock.” Playground Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 12-25-1983, 1.
[123] “…frozen water lines kept firefighters from saving a man and his 8-month-old grandson in a Pine Lawn, Mo., blaze…” (Key West Citizen, FL. “Cold December getting colder.” 12-23-1983, p. 2.)
[124] “In St. Louis, the authorities said six people had died this week from below-normal body temperature, or hypothermia.” (Assoc. Press. “Cold, Ice and Snow Disrupt Travel for Christmas.” New York Times, 12-24-1983.)
[125] United Press International. “Unprecedented Arctic cold breaks records across nation.” Hutchinson News, KS, 12-23-1983, p. 10. Article notes the blind retired postal worker had tried to pay overdue bill of $886 to Laclede Gas Co., but it “allegedly refused to accept payment,” and his gas heat had been turned off.
[126] Joplin Globe, MO. “Weather record set.” 12-24-1983, p. 12A.
[127] AP. “Two teen-agers killed in sledding accident.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 12-30-1983, p. 3.
[128] United Press International. “Arctic cold numbs Plains.” Key West Citizen, FL, 12-18-1983, p. 2.
[129] Gaarder. “Frozen in our memories…coldest Dec. on record — in 1983.” Omaha World-Herald, NE, 12-26-2013.
[130] Gaarder. “Frozen in our memories…coldest Dec. on record — in 1983.” Omaha World-Herald, NE, 12-26-2013.
[131] Associated Press. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
[132] Associated Press. “Tot killed in crash.” The Telegraph, Nashua, NH, 12-21-1983, p. 21. Car driven by mother.
[133] Associated Press. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
[134] Associated Press. “Chain of U.S. storms claims 97 lives. Daily News, Havre, MT, 12-23-1983, p. 1.
[135] Associated Press. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
[136] Victim Id’d as Seth Large, 39. Clovis News Journal, NM. “Exposure ruled cause of death.” 12-27-1983, p. 2.
[137] Post Standard, Syracuse, NY. “2 Killed on Icy Roads in CNY.” 12-24-1983, p. 1.
[138] AP. “House fires kill 22 people in 9 states.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 12-25-1983, p.12.
[139] Associated Press. “Death roll climbs as temps rise slightly,” Daily News, Havre, MT, 12-27-1983, p. 1. Victim identified as Sunshine Elizabeth Perimutter. (United Press International. “Toddler Dies of Exposure After Wandering Outside,” Syracuse Post-Standard, 12-27-1983, p. 5.)
[140] Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Yes, a white Christmas…Two state deaths.” 12-23-1983, p. 3.
[141] Post Standard, Syracuse, NY. “2 Killed on Icy Roads in CNY.” 12-24-1983, p. 1.
[142] Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Malone woman killed in crash.” 12-27-1983, p. D4-M.
[143] Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Paris basks as we shiver.” 12-27-1983, p. 3.
[144] Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Two die as snow storms continue.” 12-28-1983, p. B-4.
[145] Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Yes, a white Christmas…Two state deaths.” 12-23-1983, p. 3.
[146] Not included in tally are two Eagle Motel, Forest City, fire deaths — no connection to the cold is made.
[147] Victim identified as Joe L. Yellock, 75. The shed had a stove but temps. dropped to single digits. Alamance County medical examiner cited as source of hypothermia as apparent cause of death. (Daily Times-News, Burlington, NC. “Record-breaking cold blamed for deaths.” 12-26-1983, p. 1.) Another article has photo of the 4-by-12 wood shed with holes in the walls and no insulation. “The elderly man was disabled from a disease his relatives call tick fever. He had no legs and no fingers, although they say he was able to move around on artificial limbs.” (Daily Times-News, Burlington, NC. “Icy weather blamed for deaths of three people.” 12-28-1983, B1.)
[148] AP. “State Death Toll is Now 27 From Weather-Related Incidents.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-29-1983, 1.
[149] AP. “State Death Toll is Now 27 From Weather-Related Incidents.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-29-1983, 1.
[150] AP. “State Death Toll is Now 27 From Weather-Related Incidents.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-29-1983, 1.
[151] Killed in resulting fire were Richard Johnson, 62, Felicia Williams, 2, and Rodriquez Williams, 5. (Associated Press. “13 N.C. Deaths Attributed to Cold Weather.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-27-1983, 1.)
[152] Associated Press. “13 N.C. Deaths Attributed to Cold Weather.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-27-1983, 1.
[153] Associated Press. “13 N.C. Deaths Attributed to Cold Weather.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-27-1983, 1.
[154] Associated Press. “13 N.C. Deaths Attributed to Cold Weather.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-27-1983, 1.
[155] AP. “State Death Toll is Now 27 From Weather-Related Incidents.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-29-1983, 1.
[156] AP. “State Death Toll is Now 27 From Weather-Related Incidents.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-29-1983, 1.
[157] Associated Press. “13 N.C. Deaths Attributed to Cold Weather.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-27-1983, 1.
[158] AP. “State Death Toll is Now 27 From Weather-Related Incidents.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-29-1983, 1.
[159] Daily Times-News, Burlington, NC. “Icy weather blamed for deaths of three people.” 12-28-1983, B1.
[160] Daily Times-News, Burlington, NC. “Icy weather blamed for deaths of three people.” 12-28-1983, B1
[161] AP. “State Death Toll is Now 27 From Weather-Related Incidents.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-29-1983, 1.
[162] Daily Times-News, Burlington, NC. “Record-breaking cold blamed for deaths.” 12-26-1983, p. 1.)
[163] Victim identified as John English, 80, of Rocky Mount. (Associated Press. “Cold wave sets records across state.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 12-27-1983, p. 1.) Noted as the 14th NC cold weather victim.
[164] Associated Press. “13 N.C. Deaths Attributed to Cold Weather.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-27-1983, 1.
[165] AP. “State Death Toll is Now 27 From Weather-Related Incidents.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-29-1983, 1.
[166] Associated Press. “13 N.C. Deaths Attributed to Cold Weather.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 12-27-1983, 1.
[167] Assoc. Press. “Arctic air kills 16 before leaving Tar Heel state.” Burlington Times-News, NC, 12-28-1983, 2A. According to the AP report the fire appeared to be attributed to a faulty heating system.
[168] Associated Press. “New blast of cold aimed at Midwest.” Jacksonville Journal Courier, IL, 12-27-1983, pp. 1-2.
[169] Associated Press. “Storm chills nation’s midsection.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 12-16-1983, A2.
[170] Associated Press. “Sub-zero cold numbs nation.” News Herald, Panama City, FL, 12-22-1983, p. 2.
[171] Victim was George Toomer, 77. (AP. “Man found frozen in garage.” Xenia Daily Gazette, OH. 12-28-1983, p.2.)
[172] Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Hubert Eiben, Chatham ex-jeweler, dies of cold.” 12-30-1983, B-2. Was 75.
[173] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 24. Victims identified as Elizabeth and Edward Kresina. (Evening Review, East Liverpool, OH. “Winter Puts Tri-State on Skids.” 12-28-1983, p. 1.)
[174] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 24.
[175] Associated Press. “Crazy quilt storm patterns hit Ohio.” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH, 12-29-1983, C1. Notes that “water was frozen in a sink and the toilet.”
[176] Shane Phipps, 17. AP. “Crazy quilt storm patterns hit Ohio.” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH, 12-29-1983, C1.
[177] Associated Press. “Crazy quilt storm patterns hit Ohio.” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH, 12-29-1983, C1.
[178] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 25, No. 12, Dec 1983, p. 24; Evening Review, East Liverpool, OH, “Man, 51, Frozen to Death in Ohio.” 12-30-1983, p. 1.
[179] Associated Press. “Freezing Rain Adds to Woes.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 12-21-1983, 1.
[180] Ahead of the fast-moving system [cold] sheets of freezing drizzle coated highways…late Tuesday [27th] from northern Texas to Georgia. At least six in Oklahoma died in accidents Tuesday…” (Associated Press. “More Ice Due in Dixie.” Courier News, Blytheville, AR, 12-28-1983, p. 1.)
[181] Associated Press. “Sub-zero cold numbs nation.” News Herald, Panama City, FL, 12-22-1983, pp. 1-2.
[182] Associated Press. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
[183] Associated Press. “Sub-zero cold numbs nation.” News Herald, Panama City, FL, 12-22-1983, pp. 1-2.
[184] The number “3” is ours, based of statement: “Hundreds of motor vehicle accidents occurred resulting in several deaths and many injuries.” For the purpose of contributing to tally we assume several must mean at least three.
[185] Associated Press. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
[186] Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. “Woman freezes to death.” 12-27-1983, p. 1; Evening Sun, Hanover, PA, “Hypothermia victim was trapped by one’s ‘basic right to freedom’.” 12-30-1983, p. 1.
[187] Associated Press. “Pennsylvania Back in Deep Freeze. Fatal Accidents Blamed on Weather.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA. 12-23-1983, p. 1. Victim identified as Betty Cromley, 43, of New Columbia.
[188] Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Fall causes death.” 12-30-1983, p. 1.
[189] Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. “Hanover woman, area man die in crashes on icy Ft. 15.” 12-29-1983, p. 1.
[190] Aiken Standard, SC. “Cold is Blamed for 12 State Deaths.” 12-27-1983, p. 1.
[191] Victim was Joseph Munchinski, 59. (UPI. “Slick roads cause fatality.” Altoona Mirror, PA, 12-29-1983, B4.)
[192] Associated Press. “Pennsylvania Back in Deep Freeze. Fatal Accidents Blamed on Weather.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA. 12-23-1983, p. 1.
[193] Victim was Carolyn E. Timmerman, 20. (Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. “Hanover woman, area man die in crashes on icy Ft. 15.” 12-29-1983, p. 1.)
[194] Trunk collided with a car then a bridge abutment on the icy road. Victim identified as Glenn Watson, 65, of Abbottstown. (Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. “Hanover woman, area man die in crashes on icy Ft. 15.” 12-29-1983, 1.)
[195] Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. “Hanover woman, area man die in crashes on icy Ft. 15.” 12-29-1983, p. 1.
[196] Victim identified as Mrs. Myrtle Luce, 96. “When firemen responded to the call for help shortly after 9 a.m. Monday [26th], Miss Luce said her mother had fallen and that she needed help getting the elderly woman back into bed. Firemen found the first floor of the home without heat, estimating the indoor temperature at about zero degrees. The two women were living on the second floor, where space heaters raised the temperature to an estimated 40 to 50 degrees, according to police records. A spokesman for National Fuel Gas confirmed the home had gas service and there was no financial problem evident from the account record….Initially, Miss Luce resisted suggestions that both women leave the home. Firemen summoned police because of the hypothermia danger….One fireman said the elderly woman appeared to be in good health except for the hypothermia…” Mrs. Luce was taken to the hospital by police order where she died. Death certificate attributed death to hypothermia and cardiac arrest. (News-Herald, Franklin, PA. “Hypothermia, cardiac arrest blamed in death.” 12-29-1983, p. 8.)
[197] Associated Press. “Pennsylvania Back in Deep Freeze. Fatal Accidents Blamed on Weather.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA. 12-23-1983, p. 1. Victim identifies as Andrew Hidock, 70, of Allentown.
[198] United Press International. “Brrrrr! Is it Cold.” Courier-Express, DuBois, PA, 12-24-1983, p. 1.
[199] Aiken Standard, SC. “Christmas Delight Turns into Ice.” 12-26-1983, p. 1.
[200] Aiken Standard, SC. “…Cold Blamed for State Deaths” (Continued from 1A.), 12-27-1983, p. 8.
[201] Associated Press. “State Still Feels Wicked Weather.” Aiken Standard, SC, 12-28-1983, 8B.
[202] Aiken Standard, SC. “…Cold Blamed for State Deaths” (Continued from 1A.), 12-27-1983, p. 8.
[203] Associated Press. “State Still Feels Wicked Weather.” Aiken Standard, SC, 12-28-1983, 8B.
[204] Floyd D. Long, 53. (Assoc. Press. “Cold Wave Claims More S.C. Victims.” Aiken Standard, SC, 1-2-1984, p. 6.)
[205] Associated Press. “Winter death toll rising.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 12-30-1983, 2A.
[206] Associated Press. “State Still Feels Wicked Weather.” Aiken Standard, SC, 12-28-1983, 8B.
[207] Associated Press. “State Still Feels Wicked Weather.” Aiken Standard, SC, 12-28-1983, 8B.
[208] Victims identified as Roxie Jackson, 92 and Samuel Sullivan, early 80s, who lived in neighboring apartments with no heat. (AP. “State Still Feels Wicked Weather.” Aiken Standard, SC, 12-28-1983, 8B.)
[209] Associated Press. “State Still Feels Wicked Weather.” Aiken Standard, SC, 12-28-1983, 8B.
[210] Victim Id’d as Clyde Jones, 40. (AP. “State Still Feels Wicked Weather.” Aiken Standard, SC, 12-28-1983, 8B.)
[211] Associated Press. “Winter death toll rising.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 12-30-1983, 2A.
[212] Associated Press. “Cold Wave Claims More S.C. Victims.” Aiken Standard, SC, 1-2-1984, p. 6.
[213] Associated Press. “Winter death toll rising.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 12-30-1983, 2A.
[214] Associated Press. “State Still Feels Wicked Weather.” Aiken Standard, SC, 12-28-1983, 8B.
[215] Victim identified as David Michael Chandler. Coroner noted house was uninsulated and heated only by fireplaces. (Aiken Standard, SC. “State Still Feels Wicked Weather.” 12-28-1983, p. 8B.)
[216] Associated Press. “State Still Feels Wicked Weather.” Aiken Standard, SC, 12-28-1983, 8B.
[217] “…the partially-frozen body of 27-year-old Joe Arthur Thomas of Spartanburg was found in the rubble of his burned hours. Officials suspect the fire started when a kerosene heater exploded.” (Aiken Standard, SC. “…Cold Blamed for State Deaths” (Continued from 1A.), 12-27-1983, p. 8.)
[218] Charles Nesbitt, 54. (AP. “State Still Feels Wicked Weather.” Aiken Standard, SC, 12-28-1983, 8B.)
[219] Associated Press. “Winter death toll rising.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 12-30-1983, 2A.
[220] Victim identified as James Benjamin, 47, of Sumter. (Aiken Standard, SC. “…Cold Blamed for State Deaths” (Continued from 1A.), 12-27-1983, p. 8.)
[221] Aiken Standard, SC. “…Cold Blamed for State Deaths” (Continued from 1A.), 12-27-1983, p. 8.
[222] Associated Press. “Freezing Rain Adds to Woes.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 12-21-1983, 1.
[223] Associated Press. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
[224] “Ahead of the fast-moving system [cold] sheets of freezing drizzle coated highways…late Tuesday [27th] from northern Texas to Georgia. At least five people in Tennessee…died in accidents Tuesday…” (Associated Press. “More Ice Due in Dixie.” Courier News, Blytheville, AR, 12-28-1983, p. 1.)
[225] The number “3” is ours based on: “The cold weather was accompanied by several periods of wintery precipitation, including freezing rain, sleet, and snow…each episode created problems for travelers and motorists as icy conditions made travel hazardous…Several deaths occurred as a result of automobile accidents.” To contribute to tally we assume “several” means at least three.
[226] Not using–could not substantiate through locality breakouts. Suspect that the number of 38 deaths includes ten people killed on or shortly after December 23, when an activity bus collided head-on with a tractor-trailer on State Route 61 near Devers, Texas. The NTSB investigation did not include the weather in ist “Probable Cause” finding.
[227] United Press International. “Weather could cause brownouts.” Brownsville Herald, 12-22-1983, p. 2A. A Justice of the Peace is quoted as saying that the victim had “inadequate housing.”
[228] United Press International. “Weather could cause brownouts.” Brownsville Herald, 12-22-1983, p. 2A.
[229] AP. “House fires kill 22 people in 9 states.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 12-25-1983, p.12.
[230] United Press Int. “Freezing rain, sleet, snow coating North Texas.” Brownsville Herald, TX, 12-21-1983, p. 3.
[231] United Press International. “Weather could cause brownouts.” Brownsville Herald, 12-22-1983, p. 2A.
[232] Odessa American, TX. “Weather: Cold continues.” 12-21-1983, p. 2.
[233] Big Spring Herald, TX. “Weather” (Continued from 1A). 12-20-1983, p. 2A. NCDC Storm Data, 25/12, p. 28, also notes a Denton auto accident fatality on an ice-covered road, but has the date as Dec 21.
[234] United Press International. “Cold sets records.” Key West Citizen, FL, 12-25-1983, p. 2.
[235] Big Spring Herald, TX. “Weather” (Continued from 1A). 12-20-1983, p. 2A. Notes temperatures dropped to 16 degrees overnight. NCDC Storm Data, 25/12, Dec 1983, p. 29, notes El Paso death. A later source notes that ‘Leon Sledge, 46, was killed [in El Paso] by the cold after he crawled into a small storage building and spent the night in the shed.” (UPI. “Freezing rain, sleet, snow coating North Texas.” Brownsville Herald, TX, 12-21-1983, p. 3.)
[236] Quanah Tribune Chief, TX. “Man killed in Truck Wreck,” 12-29-1983, pp. 1-2.
[237] United Press Int. “Freezing rain, sleet, snow coating North Texas.” Brownsville Herald, TX, 12-21-1983, p. 3.
[238] Big Spring Herald, TX. “White (cold) Christmas on tap.” 12-24-1983, p. 1.
[239] Big Spring Herald, TX. “Weather” (Continued from 1A). 12-20-1983, p. 2A.
[240] Victims identified as Apolinar Rodriguez, 25, his wife, Maris, 25, and their four children, Aurila, 5; Simon, 3; Avundia, 4; and Sol, 8 months.” (Associated Press. “Six family members die.” Paris News, TX, 12-27-1983, p. 1.)
[241] United Press International. “Texas warms up to near freezing Weather.” Brownsville Herald, 12-23-1983, p. 2.
[242] United Press International. “Texas warms up to near freezing Weather.” Brownsville Herald, 12-23-1983, p. 2.
[243] Odessa American, TX. “Weather: Cold continues.” 12-21-1983, p. 2.
[244] AP. “House fires kill 22 people in 9 states.” Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph, CO, 12-25-1983, p.12.
[245] Female passenger in car from Oakland, CA, was killed. (Associated Press. “Weather” (cont. A1), New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung, TX, 12-28-1983, 8A.)
[246] Odessa American, TX. “Weather: Warmer.” 12-31-1987, p. 2.
[247] Victim was Johnny Anderson. (Associated Press. “Weather” (cont. A1), New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung, TX, 12-28-1983, 8A.) Article notes that the shack “had one candle for heat and light.”
[248] Associated Press. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
[249] Associated Press. “No warming in sight!” The Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 12-18-1983, p. 1.
[250] Associated Press. “Sub-zero cold numbs nation.” News Herald, Panama City, FL, 12-22-1983, pp. 1-2. The article notes three traffic fatalities in two accidents, but we have more detail on Salt Lake City area accident.
[251] Associated Press. “Temperature Starts to Rise in Old Dominion.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 12-27-1983, 3.
[252] Associated Press. “Temperature Starts to Rise in Old Dominion.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 12-27-1983, 3.
[253] Associated Press. “Temperature Starts to Rise in Old Dominion.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 12-27-1983, 3.
[254] Associated Press. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
[255] “Intermittently vicious winter weather that has pummeled Washington with snow, ice, rain and high winds in the past week and a half has brought several inches of new snow to Eastern Washington and claimed the lives of two children. That brings to at least nine the total of weather-related fatalities in the state in the past week and a half….”
[256] Associated Press. “Man killed in ice avalanche on Mount Rainier.” Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 12-29-1983, 5.
[257] Associated Press. “Big chill numbs nation’s heartland.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 12-20-1983, p. 1.
[258] Victims were Misty Hillstrom, 5, and brother Joshua, 20-months. (AP. “Warming temperatures bring avalanche danger.” Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 12-30-1983, 1.)
[259] Young boy. Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA. “3 below zero. Bitter cold…to continue…” 12-22-1983, p. 1.
[260] Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA. “3 below zero. Bitter cold expected to continue…” 12-22-1983, p. 1.
[261] Associated Press. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A; AP. “Warming temperatures bring avalanche danger.” Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 12-30-1983, 1.)
[262] AP. “Warming temperatures bring avalanche danger.” Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, 12-30-1983, 1. Notes the mother, who was driving, jumped from the car prior to impact.
[263] Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Cold here until Tuesday.” 12-23-1983, p. 6.
[264] Kenosha News, WI. “Head-on crash kills Kenoshan.” 12-16-1983, p. 1.
[265] Kenosha News, WI. “Arctic chill puts wraps on Kenosha. Three Kenosha deaths reported.” 12-25-1983, p. 3.
[266] Otis Crisp, 64, had a heart condition and had been warned to stay out of cold weather. (Kenosha News, WI. “Arctic chill puts wraps on Kenosha. Three Kenosha deaths reported.” 12-25-1983, p. 3.)
[267] AP. “State gets respite from cold; weather elsewhere frightful.” Wisconsin…Journal, Madison, 12-27-1983, p. 1.
[268] Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Cold here until Tuesday.” 12-23-1983, p. 6. Victim, Leola Williams, 79, found dead at home in the morning, inside after shoveling snow in sub-zero weather, still wearing a hat, coat and gloves.
[269] AP. “State gets respite from cold; weather elsewhere frightful.” Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, 12-27-1983, p. 1. NCDC Storm Data (25/12, Dec 1983, p. 30), notes exposure death in Milwaukee during Dec 24-26.
[270] Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Snowstorm coats southern Wisconsin.” 12-15-1983, p. 1.
[271] Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Cold” (from p. 1.). 12-27-1983, p. 4.
[272] Associated Press. “Chicago woman dies in snow.” Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. 12-25-1983, p. 2, sec. 6.
[273] AP. “Nasty storm blamed for 40 deaths nationwide.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 12-21-1983, A3. Killed were children of Ammon and Ellen Sauder of Route 1, Withee. (Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, WI. “Five children die as family home burns.” 12-20-1983, p. 1.) The Leader-Telegram article does not attribute the fire to the weather — “Authorities said the family apparently was burning green wood and that the fire started in the basement.” The word-burning furnace was in the basement.
[274] Associated Press. “Sub-zero cold numbs nation.” News Herald, Panama City, FL, 12-22-1983, p. 2.
[275] Associated Press. “States report 159 weather-related deaths.” Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA, 12-26-1983, 13A.
[276] A phenomena of low pressure systems is that winds blow toward the center (think of filling a vacuum, though the center of a low pressure system is not a vacuum). Thus colder air from the north will, in essence, be “pulled” toward the center of the low air pressure system.
[277] In effect “pushing” air (which was colder), south.
[278] Put together from Hutchinson News staff and wire reports.
