Unusual weather trivia that is hard to google

[wx_statman]

For the PNW, I think the Bellingham annual maximum for 1936 - 83 degrees on Oct. 10th - is probably the most anomalous example of a very late-season yearly maximum occurring in a location where you wouldn't expect it. Bellingham is not in the typical zone of fall downsloping. 

[Scott]

 I think the 97 at Fargo on 10/11 is legit. Breckenridge and Browns Valley both hit 96, and they're in western MN not too far from Fargo. Especially Breckenridge. Maybe 20 miles SE. 

 

 

After I made the original post, I noticed that Moorhead MN, across the river from Fargo also reached 97, so the reading is almost certainly correct.

 

Some more (screen shot from link provided earlier):

 

 

Very impressive.  

 

[wx_statman]

After I made the original post, I noticed that Moorhead MN, across the river from Fargo also reached 97, so the reading is almost certainly correct.

 

Some more (screen shot from link provided earlier):

 

link.JPG

 

Very impressive.  

 

Good point about Moorhead. That's the best corroboration. Incidentally, the Moorhead reading missed the MN state record by 1F for October (98 @ Beardsley in 1963).

[Scott]

October (98 @ Beardsley in 1963)

Of note, 1963 was a very interesting year as far as weather records go, both on the high and low end of the spectrum.

 

It's interesting that a lot of these years with impressive records have them on both ends of the spectrum.

 

Some interesting years I can think of with both historic warmth and cold in the same year (and often in the same locations) are 1910, 1911, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1955, 1963, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2002, and 2011. I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones that come to mind off the top of my head.

 

1936 is the most extreme example of all, especially in the Northern Plains states.

 

October 1991 was interesting, not only for records set, but because extreme warm and cold monthly records were set in the same locations only two weeks apart from each other.

[wx_statman]

Of note, 1963 was a very interesting year as far as weather records go, both on the high and low end of the spectrum.

 

It's interesting that a lot of these years with impressive records have them on both ends of the spectrum.

 

Some interesting years I can think of with both historic warmth and cold in the same year (and often in the same locations) are 1910, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1955, 1963, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2002, and 2011. I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones that come to mind off the top of my head.

 

1936 is the most extreme example of all, especially in the Northern Plains states.

 

October 1991 was interesting, not only for records set, but because extreme warm and cold monthly records were set in the same locations only two weeks apart from each other.

 

As an extremes-loving weather junkie, I couldn't agree more. My ideal pattern would involve amplification year-round, with alternating extreme warmth and cold. 

[Scott]

I definitely should of listed Febuary 1996 as well. That month had one of the most impressive cold snaps and one of the most impressive heat waves in recent decades, including records set in the same locations on opposite ends of the temperature scale.

 

February 2011 and September 2000 as well, but perhaps not in the same league as February 1996.

[wx_statman]

Of note, 1963 was a very interesting year as far as weather records go, both on the high and low end of the spectrum.

 

It's interesting that a lot of these years with impressive records have them on both ends of the spectrum.

 

Some interesting years I can think of with both historic warmth and cold in the same year (and often in the same locations) are 1910, 1911, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1955, 1963, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2002, and 2011. I'm sure there are more, but these are the ones that come to mind off the top of my head.

 

1936 is the most extreme example of all, especially in the Northern Plains states.

 

October 1991 was interesting, not only for records set, but because extreme warm and cold monthly records were set in the same locations only two weeks apart from each other.

 

1936 was incredible. In addition to the contrasts on the plains, we had all kinds of swings here in the PNW as well. April is a great example. Historic spring cold & snow in late March/early April, followed by record heat mid-month. Downtown Portland was in the mid-80's just two weeks after seeing 5" of snow. A number of stations in Idaho & Montana set monthly record highs around April 17-18, 1936 that still stand today, in the same areas that set monthly record lows earlier. The fall transition was really dramatic as well, from the record heat wave around Oct. 9th-10th to record cold in early November. Salem went from 91 to 13 degrees in the span of 3 weeks. 

[erik1974]

        Here is my personal list for Arizona:

Jan 90 2000, 1971 Organ Pipe, Tucson WFO   -40 1971 Hawley Lake

Feb 97 1986 Yuma AP/Casa Grande   -37 1985 Flagstaff 4SW

Mar 104 2004 Yuma-Depot   -26 1966 Maverick

Apr 110 1980, 1910 Gila Bend   -16 1980 Hawley Lake

May 121 1910 Quartzsite/Gila Bend   4 1964 Pinon

June 128 1994 Lake Havasu City   13 1971, 1954 Alpine, Maverick

July 127 1905 Parker   25 1997/1987, 1962 Flagstaff 4SW, Maverick

Aug 124 1933 Quartzsite/Parker   20 1968 Fort Valley

Sept 123 1950 Yuma AP   11 1934, 1912 Williams, Fort Valley

Oct 114 1980 Gila Bend   -9 1971 Fort Valley

Nov 100 2009, 1931  Sacaton, Granite Reef Dam   -30 1931 Fort Defiance

Dec 91 1939 Florence   -36 1990 Flagstaff 4SW

​    

   I made some adjustments.  Any arguments will be greatly appreciated once again.  

​I edited out the 113 in April at Parker, 116 in October at Sentinel and 92 in Dec. at Bouse.  Lets see just who agrees with me...

[OKwx2k4]

Looks that way to me. That was a bigtime late season airmass, complete with a historic May snowstorm on the plains. Arkansas recorded their first measurable May snowfall on record, at any of the stations. I remember Little Rock NWS put out a statement about this.

 

In Colorado, minimums on 5/2/2013 included:

 

-11 @ Sugarloaf Reservoir

-8 @ Hohnholz Ranch

-7 @ Twin Lakes Reservoir

 

Also, a Snotel site (Long Draw Reservoir) recorded -9 that morning. Oklahoma just missed their state record with a reading of 20 at Boise City (Infoplease lists 19 @ Hooker in May 1909). In Utah, Buck Pasture Snotel hit -6 on 5/2/2013. Compare to a listed official record of 0 at Silver Lake Brighton in May 1965.

As an Okie on the Ark state line, I can confirm this all to be factual. I still had measurable snow on the ground at 9 am on May 3, 2013.

 

I really just came over here to say how awesome it is that you all keep finding these incredible stats. It teaches me a great deal about weather history that is largely forgotten.

[Scott]

        Here is my personal list for Arizona:

Jan 90 2000, 1971 Organ Pipe, Tucson WFO   -40 1971 Hawley Lake

Feb 97 1986 Yuma AP/Casa Grande   -37 1985 Flagstaff 4SW

Mar 104 2004 Yuma-Depot   -26 1966 Maverick

Apr 110 1980, 1910 Gila Bend   -16 1980 Hawley Lake

May 121 1910 Quartzsite/Gila Bend   4 1964 Pinon

June 128 1994 Lake Havasu City   13 1971, 1954 Alpine, Maverick

July 127 1905 Parker   25 1997/1987, 1962 Flagstaff 4SW, Maverick

Aug 124 1933 Quartzsite/Parker   20 1968 Fort Valley

Sept 123 1950 Yuma AP   11 1934, 1912 Williams, Fort Valley

Oct 114 1980 Gila Bend   -9 1971 Fort Valley

Nov 100 2009, 1931  Sacaton, Granite Reef Dam   -30 1931 Fort Defiance

Dec 91 1939 Florence   -36 1990 Flagstaff 4SW

​    

   I made some adjustments.  Any arguments will be greatly appreciated once again.  

​I edited out the 113 in April at Parker, 116 in October at Sentinel and 92 in Dec. at Bouse.  Lets see just who agrees with me...

Looks pretty good.   Although there was a big heatwave in June 1994, the Lake Havasu reading was probably over-exposed and unreliable.   For the "real" June record, I'd go with 126 at Bullhead City which was recorded at the same time.   You can see a previous discussion on the Lake Havasu reading below:

 

http://theweatherforums.com/index.php/topic/1430-an-investigation-of-death-valley%E2%80%99s-134%C2%B0f-world-temperature-record/?hl=%2Blake+%2Bhavasu&do=findComment&comment=159323

 

I'd agree with those values you edited out.   There were heatwaves during those times, but the readings seem too high.  

 

Of note, the November 1931 -30 at Fort Defiance is an impressive one on par with many other, normally colder states.

[wx_statman]

        Here is my personal list for Arizona:

Jan 90 2000, 1971 Organ Pipe, Tucson WFO   -40 1971 Hawley Lake

Feb 97 1986 Yuma AP/Casa Grande   -37 1985 Flagstaff 4SW

Mar 104 2004 Yuma-Depot   -26 1966 Maverick

Apr 110 1980, 1910 Gila Bend   -16 1980 Hawley Lake

May 121 1910 Quartzsite/Gila Bend   4 1964 Pinon

June 128 1994 Lake Havasu City   13 1971, 1954 Alpine, Maverick

July 127 1905 Parker   25 1997/1987, 1962 Flagstaff 4SW, Maverick

Aug 124 1933 Quartzsite/Parker   20 1968 Fort Valley

Sept 123 1950 Yuma AP   11 1934, 1912 Williams, Fort Valley

Oct 114 1980 Gila Bend   -9 1971 Fort Valley

Nov 100 2009, 1931  Sacaton, Granite Reef Dam   -30 1931 Fort Defiance

Dec 91 1939 Florence   -36 1990 Flagstaff 4SW

​    

   I made some adjustments.  Any arguments will be greatly appreciated once again.  

​I edited out the 113 in April at Parker, 116 in October at Sentinel and 92 in Dec. at Bouse.  Lets see just who agrees with me...

 

Some notes:

 

-Agreed about removing 113 at Parker in April 1898. Next highest reading was 107 in Yuma. 

 

-Santa Rosa School COOP supposedly hit 111 on 4/14/1962. This was a major early heat wave in the interior West (Yuma hit 106), but I'm not sure about the validity of this particular reading. 

 

-Parker, Mohawk, and Casa Grande all hit 110 in April 1910. 

 

-I've read before that Lake Havasu City readings in the 1990's were a little over-exposed, including the 128 from June 1994. Although in that heat wave, readings also reached 126 in Bullhead City and 125 in Salome 17SE. Bullhead City just hit 126 this past June as well (June 22 & 23, 2017).

 

-The 127 in Parker in July 1905 may have been over-exposed (slightly?), but I am OK keeping it. That was a major heat wave (i.e. Fresno all-time record is 115 on 7/8/1905), and other readings included 124 in Imperial, CA & 122 in Casa Grande (all-time record). On the off-chance the Parker reading is not valid, Tacna hit 126 in July 1995. 

 

-Agreed about tossing the 116 at Sentinel in October 1917. No other readings above 108 in AZ that month. 

 

-I notice you have -9 listed for October 1971 at Fort Valley. That reading actually occurred in 1949 (10/21/1949). 

 

-Good call on removing the 92 in Bouse in December 1958. This one was tricky. Readings hit 94 at LAX on 12/3/1958 (monthly record) and other AZ readings reached as high as 89 at Yuma Citrus Station. But a closer examination of Bouse records in 1958 and 1959 reveals a number of oddly high readings. This includes 96 in November 1959 (when no other AZ station was above 91), and 88 in January 1959 (when Yuma was next highest at 86). Bouse is at 950 feet above sea level. It shouldn't be consistently outdoing lower-elevation stations as it was in the late 1950's, so something was most likely off with their thermometer. 

[Scott]

Any thoughts of the 117 reading at Medicine Lake on 7/5/1937?

 

There was a heatwave then, but Medicine Lake hasn't had any other readings above 107.  The next highest reading in the area seems to be 113 at nearby Culbertson, but that location is usually a little hotter than Medicine Lake.

 

Other readings in area:

110 at Poplar

111 at Vida 6NE

109 at Frazer

105 at Fairview

111 at Grenora ND

108 at Williston

 

It was hot in 7/37, but the Medicine Lake reading does stand out.  There is a good chance that it was over-exposed.  

[wx_statman]

Any thoughts of the 117 reading at Medicine Lake on 7/5/1937?

 

There was a heatwave then, but Medicine Lake hasn't had any other readings above 107.  The next highest reading in the area seems to be 113 at nearby Culbertson, but that location is usually a little hotter than Medicine Lake.

 

Other readings in area:

 

110 at Poplar

111 at Vida 6NE

109 at Frazer

105 at Fairview

111 at Grenora ND

108 at Williston

 

It was hot in 7/37, but the Medicine Lake reading does stand out.  There is a good chance that it was over-exposed.  

 

That reading definitely stands out against Medicine Lake's records. It's a tough call though. Outlook did reach 115 on 7/5/1937, and this station was located at 2,342 feet (compared to 1,950 feet for Medicine Lake). Those two readings would corroborate each other given the ~400 foot elevation difference. However, the Outlook reading also smells like it's overexposed. Two wrongs don't make a right. Like you said Culbertson reached 113. Considering this was at 1,900 feet, that's possibly the only credible reading out of the three. 

[erik1974]

Looks pretty good.   Although there was a big heatwave in June 1994, the Lake Havasu reading was probably over-exposed and unreliable.   For the "real" June record, I'd go with 126 at Bullhead City which was recorded at the same time.   You can see a previous discussion on the Lake Havasu reading below:

 

        There was a 127 degree reading at Fort Mojave(north of Bullhead) on June 15, 1896.  It was 126 at Parker on the same date.   It may be legitimate.  I'm not sure if I would outright dismiss the 128 reading at Lake Havasu.  That is a tough choice to make. 

[Scott]

 I'm not sure if I would outright dismiss the 128 reading at Lake Havasu.  That is a tough choice to make. 

 

 

I'm still inclined to dismiss it.

 

Two stations at Lake Havasu existed, and they were very close together.

 

The first station existed 1967 to 1991.   The hottest temperature recorded was 121 on 6/27/1990, a historical heat wave in Arizona that was on par with the 1994 heat wave, at least in Arizona.

 

The second station existed 1991 to present.  As soon as the station was moved (less than a mile), the station broke the old 1990 record, not once or twice, but at least 27 times in the next few years (including the 128 reading).   I'd say the thermometer was definitely over-exposed.  

[wx_statman]

I just looked at the station locations for Havasu. The 1967-1991 location was surrounded by water (bottom station on map, in blue). The 1991-present location (top) should feel less influence from the Colorado river. Perhaps that explains some of the discrepancy between the two stations. If the old station hit 121 in June 1990, maybe the new location would have been 125+? Just some food for thought. 

[wx_statman]

Some notes:

 

-Agreed about removing 113 at Parker in April 1898. Next highest reading was 107 in Yuma. 

 

-Santa Rosa School COOP supposedly hit 111 on 4/14/1962. This was a major early heat wave in the interior West (Yuma hit 106), but I'm not sure about the validity of this particular reading. 

 

-Parker, Mohawk, and Casa Grande all hit 110 in April 1910. 

 

-I've read before that Lake Havasu City readings in the 1990's were a little over-exposed, including the 128 from June 1994. Although in that heat wave, readings also reached 126 in Bullhead City and 125 in Salome 17SE. Bullhead City just hit 126 this past June as well (June 22 & 23, 2017).

 

-The 127 in Parker in July 1905 may have been over-exposed (slightly?), but I am OK keeping it. That was a major heat wave (i.e. Fresno all-time record is 115 on 7/8/1905), and other readings included 124 in Imperial, CA & 122 in Casa Grande (all-time record). On the off-chance the Parker reading is not valid, Tacna hit 126 in July 1995. 

 

-Agreed about tossing the 116 at Sentinel in October 1917. No other readings above 108 in AZ that month. 

 

-I notice you have -9 listed for October 1971 at Fort Valley. That reading actually occurred in 1949 (10/21/1949). 

 

-Good call on removing the 92 in Bouse in December 1958. This one was tricky. Readings hit 94 at LAX on 12/3/1958 (monthly record) and other AZ readings reached as high as 89 at Yuma Citrus Station. But a closer examination of Bouse records in 1958 and 1959 reveals a number of oddly high readings. This includes 96 in November 1959 (when no other AZ station was above 91), and 88 in January 1959 (when Yuma was next highest at 86). Bouse is at 950 feet above sea level. It shouldn't be consistently outdoing lower-elevation stations as it was in the late 1950's, so something was most likely off with their thermometer. 

 

I neglected to mention - in the July 1998 heat wave, both Lake Havasu City & Bullhead City hit 126 as well. 

[Scott]

I just looked at the station locations for Havasu. The 1967-1991 location was surrounded by water (bottom station on map, in blue). The 1991-present location (top) should feel less influence from the Colorado river. Perhaps that explains some of the discrepancy between the two stations. If the old station hit 121 in June 1990, maybe the new location would have been 125+? Just some food for thought. 

 

The closest weather station to Lake Havasu City is Parker, located just to the south.  Parker was only 121 the day Lake Havasu City reported the 128.

 

The location might make a little difference, but that is a lot of difference to be able to break the 1990 record 27 times in only a few years.  In the 1990's the average year had a max of 122, which was higher than the old record.   Further, the average max for the last 10 years is 118, which is 4 degrees colder than the average yearly max of the the 1990's.   All other stations in the area show a slight increase in average yearly maxes when in comparison to the 1990's vs the last ten years.    

[wx_statman]

The closest weather station to Lake Havasu City is Parker, located just to the south.  Parker was only 121 the day Lake Havasu City reported the 128.

 

The location might make a little difference, but that is a lot of difference to be able to break the 1990 record 27 times in only a few years.  In the 1990's the average year had a max of 122, which was higher than the old record.   Further, the average max for the last 10 years is 118, which is 4 degrees colder than the average yearly max of the the 1990's.   All other stations in the area show a slight increase in average yearly maxes when in comparison to the 1990's vs the last ten years.    

 

I agree that Havasu was likely over-exposed in the 1990's. I was just pointing out the fact that the post-1991 location did seem a little better for afternoon heating, with less water in the immediate surroundings. 

[erik1974]

     So if the 128 reading in June at Lake Havasu is disqualified, the next highest June reading would be 127 at Fort Mojave on June 15, 1896.  Anybody out there think that the reading is legit??

[Scott]

     So if the 128 reading in June at Lake Havasu is disqualified, the next highest June reading would be 127 at Fort Mojave on June 15, 1896.  Anybody out there think that the reading is legit??

 

It could be legit.   Parker reported 126 that day.   Phoenix and Yuma reported 115 and 117 respectively, which is hot, but not historical for them, but the Parker reading makes me think that the Fort Mojave reading might be legitimate.  

[wx_statman]

It could be legit.   Parker reported 126 that day.   Phoenix and Yuma reported 115 and 117 respectively, which is hot, but not historical for them, but the Parker reading makes me think that the Fort Mojave reading might be legitimate.  

 

Then again, Parker was clearly over-exposed in that era (in my opinion). There's a pretty good chance that Fort Mojave was over-exposed as well, leading to a bit of false corroboration between two bad stations.

 

Other readings on 6/15/1896 didn't support that sort of heat. For example, 118 in Needles and 115 in Phoenix like you said. The Yuma city station was only 114. Fresno was only 106 and Bishop, CA was only 94. Under a strong SW ridge, Bishop can spike into the 105-110 range. The mid-June 1896 ridge just doesn't appear to have been that strong.

 

I don't see how a plausible reading above 120-122 could have happened along the Colorado River that day. 

[wx_statman]

Also, just looking at simple dry adiabatic lapse rates doesn't support readings above 120 on June 15, 1896. Needles is already down at 495 feet ASL, about as low as you can get in that area. They were only 118. Not to mention the Yuma reading of 114. 

[wx_statman]

My vote for the AZ June record is the 126 at Bullhead City in 1994 & 2017.

 

There's also a chance these readings represent the overall AZ state record, along with 126 at Tacna in July 1995 and at Bullhead City in July 1998.

[erik1974]

     Sounds pretty good.  I always wondered about the June 1896 heatwave, now it seems like it wasn't such a big deal.  I think there was a 121 degree reading at Palm Springs which might be the highest legit reading.  As for the AZ state record, I still think that the 127 in July 1905 is very likely legit as Indio was 125 and Imperial were 124 that day along with several 120+ readings in AZ.  It is also possible that Death Valley could have legitimately reached 130 degrees on that day.  Just my opinion.

[Scott]

Then again, Parker was clearly over-exposed in that era (in my opinion). There's a pretty good chance that Fort Mojave was over-exposed as well, leading to a bit of false corroboration between two bad stations.

 

Other readings on 6/15/1896 didn't support that sort of heat. For example, 118 in Needles and 115 in Phoenix like you said. The Yuma city station was only 114. Fresno was only 106 and Bishop, CA was only 94. Under a strong SW ridge, Bishop can spike into the 105-110 range. The mid-June 1896 ridge just doesn't appear to have been that strong.

 

I don't see how a plausible reading above 120-122 could have happened along the Colorado River that day. 

 

Yes; you're probably right.   I couldn't find that much data from 1896.   Parker seemed to verify the reading, but Parker could have been overexposed as well.  It was an impressive heat wave (115 at Phoenix was still within 3 degrees of the pre-1990 record), but if the Parker and Fort Mojave readings are discounted, not a historic one.  

[wx_statman]

     Sounds pretty good.  I always wondered about the June 1896 heatwave, now it seems like it wasn't such a big deal.  I think there was a 121 degree reading at Palm Springs which might be the highest legit reading.  As for the AZ state record, I still think that the 127 in July 1905 is very likely legit as Indio was 125 and Imperial were 124 that day along with several 120+ readings in AZ.  It is also possible that Death Valley could have legitimately reached 130 degrees on that day.  Just my opinion.

 

I'm on the fence about the Parker reading from 1905. There are some corroborating readings from that heat wave, but Parker's observation history is suspect during that era. For example, we have the questionable 113 in April 1898 and (in my opinion) the really questionable 126 from June 1896. There's a chance the July 1905 reading was over-exposed as well.

[Scott]

I wonder what the most ridiculous reading ever to make the official record list was?  The reading at Bennett Colorado has to be close.

 

For decades, the record high in Colorado was listed as 118 at Bennett Colorado (July 11 1888), elevation 5485 feet.  Nearby Denver at a lower elevation only recorded 100.  

[erik1974]

        The 100 reading at Pahala, Hawaii comes to mind.  In the climate report, I think it was given a missing or NA or null value, but it was somehow interpreted to be 100 degrees!  Christopher C Burt did an article on it some years ago.   

 

        The 134 at Death Valley in 1913 now comes to mind as the next highest station was 15 degrees cooler and no station out west recorded their highest temps in July 1913.  I still cant believe its on the books even to this day.  Hopefully it will get delisted in the future.

 

        The 119 degree reading at Prineville in July 1898 is another.  The next highest readings there are 12 degrees cooler!!  The 119 in August 1898 at Pendleton at least seems plausible though questionable.

 

 

        The -70 at Rogers Pass now seems very suspicious.  I wonder if it could be a data input error?  There are only three -60 temps legitimately recorded in January(not including Rogers Pass), but there are at least ten -60 readings in February which raises more red flags.

 

 

How ironic that the highest/lowest temps ever recorded in the Lower 48 now have almost no credibility under scrutiny...

[erik1974]

I wonder what the most ridiculous reading ever to make the official record list was?  The reading at Bennett Colorado has to be close.

 

For decades, the record high in Colorado was listed as 118 at Bennett Colorado (July 11 1888), elevation 5485 feet.  Nearby Denver at a lower elevation only recorded 100.  

     That is a pretty crazy one.  I cant believe they didn't edit it out right away.  Lots of initially bogus info that we are only beginning to discover...

[Scott]

 I wonder if it could be a data input error? 

 

 

Probably not.   It was taken at a mining camp.  My guess is that the data collector either exaggerated or was careless.  

[wx_statman]

Both the Bennett, CO & Prineville, OR readings are great examples. Completely unrealistic readings to anyone with a basic understanding of the lower atmosphere. 

[wx_statman]

It's also funny (or sad, really), that all 6 of the major continental record highs are/were bogus. The 134 @ Death Valley, the 120 in Argentina, the Seville Spain reading from 1881, the obviously bogus 129 in Israel in 1942 (when the actual thermograph for that day shows 127, and even that was probably overexposed), and the thankfully debunked readings of 136 @ El Azizia in 1922 & the 128 @ Cloncurry, Queensland in 1889 (which the BOM officially discredited after learning that it was taken under a beer crate). 

 

People didn't use to give two sh*ts about scientific scrutiny. This is also the era when doctors prescribed heroin and cocaine, and lobotomized people. Different times. 

[Scott]

Both the Bennett, CO & Prineville, OR readings are great examples. Completely unrealistic readings to anyone with a basic understanding of the lower atmosphere. 

We've all done some great detective work here and on other threads.  I wonder what the NWS would do if we sent in our commentaries!  

[erik1974]

      And to think, I haven't even started reporting my monthly extremes on the states east of the Rockies.  I will doing the plains states very soon followed by the upper Midwest and more.  Oh BTW, here is my list for Texas and Oklahoma:

Texas

Jan 98 1997, 1914 Zapata, Laredo   -22 1959 Spearman

Feb 104 1902 Rio Grande City   -23 1933, 1899 Seminole, Tulia

Mar 108 1954, 1902 Rio Grande City   -14 1948 Spearman

Apr 113 1984 Catarina   5 1936 Romero

May 116 2003/2001, 1989 Heath Canyon, Boquillas   15 1919 Tulia

June 120 1994 Monahans   32 1917 Tulia

July 119 1910 Tilden   40 1906 Claytonville

Aug 120 1936 Seymour   39 1910 Plemons

Sept 116 2000 Colombus    25 1983 Bravo

Oct 108 2000, 1977 Paducah 15S, Aspermont   8 1993 Dalhart/Stratford

Nov 102 1988 McAllen AP   -10 1976 Stratford

Dec 98 1951 Cotulla AP, Carrizo Springs   -16 1983 Lipscomb

 

Oklahoma

Jan 92 1911 Cloud Chief/Weatherford   -27 1947, 1930 Guthrie, Watts

Feb 99 2017, 1918 Mangum 5SE, Arapaho   -31 2011 Nowata

Mar 104 1971 Frederick   -18 1948 Kenton

Apr 106 1972 Mangum   6 1936 Boise City

May 112 2000 Altus   19 1909 Hooker

June 120 1994 Tipton   34 1919 Kenton

July 120 1936 Altus/Alva   41 1915 Goodwell

Aug 120 1936 Altus/Poteau   38 1915 Bartlesville

Sept 115 1947, 1939 Alva   25 1985 Boise City

Oct 106 2000 Hollis   6 1993 Kenton

Nov 95 1914 Mutual   -15 1976 Kenton

Dec 92 1951 Ardmore   -19 1932 Goodwell

      Any comments or corrections from y'all will be greatly appreciated once again...

[Scott]

Texas looks pretty good.   I agree about eliminating the 109 in Victoria on 10/11/1926.  There were a lot of weird readings in 1926. 

I'm skeptical about the 1902 readings from Rio Grand City in February and March.  Rio Grand City did hit 103 on 2/25/2017 and 108 3/31/1954, so that location is capable of such temperatures at that time of year, but the readings from 1902 don't seem to be supported by the other weather stations in the vicinity.  At least not from what I can see.  

Hooker Oklahoma also reached -18 on 3/7/1920.  It seems legitimate given the location and the cold snap of 3/1920.

 

The -27 on 1/4/1947 at Guthrie Oklahoma does seem really out of the ordinary for that location, but there was a cold snap then, so maybe it is legitimate.  

[Scott]

 There are only three -60 temps legitimately recorded in January(not including Rogers Pass), but there are at least ten -60 readings in February which raises more red flags.

 

 

I think this part at least is more of a coincidence than a red flag.  January should be as capable as February of producing severe cold snaps, especially out West.  I also believe that if there were more weather stations around during cold snaps such as the one in January 1888, more -60's would have been recorded.  

 

If you count Peter Sinks, there are more than three -60's in the lower 48 as well, though it could be argued that Peter Sinks doesn't count.   Peter Sinks has recorded four -60's in January and one in February, though the one on 2/1/1985 is the all time record low.  

[erik1974]

Texas looks pretty good.   I agree about eliminating the 109 in Victoria on 10/11/1926.  There were a lot of weird readings in 1926. 

 

I'm skeptical about the 1902 readings from Rio Grand City in February and March.  Rio Grand City did hit 103 on 2/25/2017 and 108 3/31/1954, so that location is capable of such temperatures at that time of year, but the readings from 1902 don't seem to be supported by the other weather stations in the vicinity.  At least not from what I can see.  

 

Hooker Oklahoma also reached -18 on 3/7/1920.  It seems legitimate given the location and the cold snap of 3/1920.

 

The -27 on 1/4/1947 at Guthrie Oklahoma does seem really out of the ordinary for that location, but there was a cold snap then, so maybe it is legitimate.  

       The 109 at Victoria is definitely bogus.  I did not realize that the 1902 reading at Rio Grande City were bogus though.  If so, then the highest credible Feb. temperatures are 103 at Laredo in 1986 and again in 2011 as well as the 2017 reading at Rio Grande City.  The -27 at Guthrie does seem a bit funny, but Kansas hit -35 that month to set their January low.  Not entirely sure if it is legit.

[OKwx2k4]

And to think, I haven't even started reporting my monthly extremes on the states east of the Rockies. I will doing the plains states very soon followed by the upper Midwest and more. Oh BTW, here is my list for Texas and Oklahoma:

Texas

Jan 98 1997, 1914 Zapata, Laredo -22 1959 Spearman

Feb 104 1902 Rio Grande City -23 1933, 1899 Seminole, Tulia

Mar 108 1954, 1902 Rio Grande City -14 1948 Spearman

Apr 113 1984 Catarina 5 1936 Romero

May 116 2003/2001, 1989 Heath Canyon, Boquillas 15 1919 Tulia

June 120 1994 Monahans 32 1917 Tulia

July 119 1910 Tilden 40 1906 Claytonville

Aug 120 1936 Seymour 39 1910 Plemons

Sept 116 2000 Colombus 25 1983 Bravo

Oct 108 2000, 1977 Paducah 15S, Aspermont 8 1993 Dalhart/Stratford

Nov 102 1988 McAllen AP -10 1976 Stratford

Dec 98 1951 Cotulla AP, Carrizo Springs -16 1983 Lipscomb

 

Oklahoma

Jan 92 1911 Cloud Chief/Weatherford -27 1947, 1930 Guthrie, Watts

Feb 99 2017, 1918 Mangum 5SE, Arapaho -31 2011 Nowata

Mar 104 1971 Frederick -18 1948 Kenton

Apr 106 1972 Mangum 6 1936 Boise City

May 112 2000 Altus 19 1909 Hooker

June 120 1994 Tipton 34 1919 Kenton

July 120 1936 Altus/Alva 41 1915 Goodwell

Aug 120 1936 Altus/Poteau 38 1915 Bartlesville

Sept 115 1947, 1939 Alva 25 1985 Boise City

Oct 106 2000 Hollis 6 1993 Kenton

Nov 95 1914 Mutual -15 1976 Kenton

Dec 92 1951 Ardmore -19 1932 Goodwell

Any comments or corrections from y'all will be greatly appreciated once again...

Great stuff. Most of these (Oklahoma) are the ones I've known of for a long time. That night in 2011 was one I won't forget forever! I thought that high temp from February 2017 had exceeded 100 (101) according to the Mesonet but it must have been revised down.

[erik1974]

Great stuff. Most of these (Oklahoma) are the ones I've known of for a long time. That night in 2011 was one I won't forget forever! I thought that high temp from February 2017 had exceeded 100 (101) according to the Mesonet but it must have been revised down.

         I heard on another forum that Mangum reached 99 in 2017(Great February 2017 heatwave east of the Rockies) to tie the previous record from 1918.  There was also what I consider to be a bogus 114 reading at Weatherford in May 2000.  Most of the stations around Weatherford were in the 100-105 range, but the SW corner of the state(Altus/Frederick) was where the 110-112 readings actually occurred.  That's why I listed the 112 at Altus rather than the 114 at Weatherford as the true May record.