The mercury bottomed out at 9 degrees below zero just before dawn today. That may have been a record low for a Jan. 6, but wasn’t an all-time low for Iola.
At least eight times the low temperature has been in double digits locally, according to records The Register has maintained since 1906.
The granddaddy of frigidity came on Jan. 13, 1912, when the overnight low fell to 16 degrees below zero. It was about as cold on Jan. 19, 1943, when the low was minus 15.
Twice it hit 12 below, on Jan. 13, 1916, and Jan. 3, 1928, as well as minus-11 on Jan. 8, 1933.
Other double-digit lows were minus-10 on Jan. 3, 1919, Jan. 5, 1924, and Jan. 19, 1940.
More recent years have had readings below zero, but none of 10 degrees or more.
A COLD SNAP – Cold, sure, but we’ve seen colder
