1985 North American cold wave

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January 1985 Arctic outbreak
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A map of the United States detailing the record-low temperatures for various cities on January 21, 1985

The 1985 North America cold wave

recorded an all time record low of −34 °F (−37 °C).

Meteorological synopsis

From Sunday, January 20, 1985, until Tuesday, January 22, 1985, the polar vortex, coupled with a large ridge of high pressure, moved polar air into the United States as far south as Arizona, Texas, and northern Florida.[1] Unlike with cold-air systems, a pattern of self-modification did not immediately occur, and seasonable temperatures were absent for a number of days, a rarity in forecasting.[1]

The Arctic air mass started moving into the United States on the evening of January 19 and into the morning of January 20, 1985. In

Cleveland, Ohio fell to −18 °F (−28 °C), which was at the time a record low.[5] Memphis, Tennessee recorded a low of −4 °F (−20 °C), setting a record low for that day. Virginia's official record low temperature of −30 °F (−34 °C) was also set on this day in Pembroke, Virginia.[6]

As the cold air mass moved southeastward, it modified only slightly, resulting in frigid air for most of the

Miami, Florida, whose average low in late January is 59 °F (15 °C), recorded a record low of 37 °F (3 °C) on January 21, 1985, and 34 °F (1 °C) on January 22, 1985.[11][12]

Impact and aftermath

The cold wave of January 1985 resulted in multiple human fatalities, the deaths of many wild and domesticated animals, massive crop losses, and infrastructure damage to homes, municipality sites and industrial sites. At least 126 deaths were recorded as being due to the cold wave of 1985.[13] Approximately 90% of the citrus crops in Florida were destroyed, in what the state called the "Freeze of the Century,"[14] resulting in Florida's citrus industry suffering $1.2 billion in losses ($2.68 billion in 2016 dollars).[15]

The

United States Capitol Rotunda instead of outside, due to the cold weather, and the inaugural parade was cancelled. Since Inauguration Day fell on a Sunday, Ronald Reagan took a private oath on January 20, 1985, and the semi-public oath on January 21, 1985.[16]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Myatt, Kevin. "Cold enough for snow, and more's on the way". The Roanoke Times. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  2. ^ "Chicago, IL".
  3. ^ NWA Pittsburgh statistics
  4. ^ RECORDS FOR CINCINNATI
  5. ^ Cleveland Normals and Records for January
  6. ^ "Coldest weather ever recorded in each state". USA Today. Archived from the original on April 9, 2022.
  7. ^ CENTRAL PARK NEW YORK CITY RECORDS 1869-2008
  8. ^ DAILY NORMALS AND RECORDS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY FOR WASHINGTON DC
  9. ^ "extremes gnv".
  10. ^ Average Weather for Atlanta, GA
  11. ^ "Miami January Climate".
  12. ^ "Yahoo". Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  13. ^ "ARCTIC CHILL GRIPS SOUTH AS COLD EBBS IN NORTH". AP. January 23, 1985 – via The New York Times.
  14. ^ "'FREEZE OF THE CENTURY' DAMAGES 90% OF THE CITRUS CROP IN FLORIDA". The New York Times. January 23, 1985.
  15. ^ "Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters: Overview".
  16. ^ "Capital Weather Gang - Inauguration Weather: Record Cold for Reagan".