Comments on: 1983: “The Coldest Christmas Ever”

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:08:32 +0000

I just noticed this article. There was no mention of the record-breaking temperatures in Michigan that day, but something else happened that was worse. I’ve lived in Michigan most of my adult life, and I’ve driven through what most people call “whiteouts” many times. But nothing compares to Christmas Eve, 1983.

I had to drive from Chicago to Grand Rapids. It usually takes about 3.5 hours. I made it to the Michigan border in record time and then it started to blizzard. The next several hours were the worst I’ve ever driven in. The lakeshore gets a lot of “lake effect” snow, but this was horrifying. You couldn’t see. By the time you saw someone, it was too late. I was crawling along and almost every time I saw a car ahead, it would start weaving and go off the side of the road. I thought about pulling over to wait it out but every time I gently touched the brakes, I would start to slide. Also, I had no idea where I was the entire time because you could see no signs, no lights, no exits. And I didn’t want to be sitting on the side of the road for someone to hit. And most of all, it was below zero outside but I couldn’t just sit and run the engine. I had no idea how long it was going to last and if something did happen, the rescue vehicles had so many other accidents to clean up.

When the freeway started to turn inland, I noticed a huge difference. It turned into a regular bad blizzard, but you could see exit signs and lights. You still couldn’t see far in front but at least if you car lights, it wasn’t a dire situation.

I have yet to talk to anyone that drove on that freeway that night (94 north to 196 to Grand Rapids), Christmas Eve, 1983. It took me 8 hours to get from the Michigan border to Grand Rapids.

By: Amy Kirk

Amy Kirk — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:34:58 +0000

I remember that Christmas, I had a new baby, my furnace went out , and the wind chill factor in Chicago was -60F

By: Ron

Ron — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 01:31:41 +0000

I remember the Christmas Day 1983 freeze very well. It was my grandfather’s last. We lived in Fl. and it never got over 38 for the high as I remember. He wanted my wood heater going non-stop. And I did keep it going. He died the following June and as I remember back, he enjoyed my fire that day so much. He kept his chair by it all afternoon. So I have fond memories of it.

By: Bobbi

Bobbi — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 21:03:41 +0000

I remember December 1983 very well. I moved to Daytona Beach, FL just 4 years later. I grew up in northwestern Virginia near Charlottesville and boy!! It was FRIGID! Daytime highs were below 10 degrees for atleast a week in a row and on Christmas it was the coldest. Temps fell below 0 and according to the historic data lows were at -11 degrees and snowstorms battered my area that winter. Thats one of the reasons why
I moved to Florida.. I was FED UP with the Virginia winters. I saw enough snow and ice living in the mid atlantic so I was gone by 1987. Mark my words, it gets cold in Florida. The other day we had temps in the upper 20s and lower 30s for overnight lows and wind chill advisories were posted. Back in 2010 we had a coating of snow and 2011 we had a dusting too. Even in sunny Florida old man winter will find you! You have to go way down to Miami to escape the cold completely

By: Deborah Lee

Deborah Lee — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 02:16:58 +0000

1983 was the year I got divorced and ended up having no blankets. Even here in Florida, it was cold. You know what I asked Santa Claus for that year!!

By: Jaime McLeod

Jaime McLeod — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 14:02:36 +0000

Hey Jim,
Merry Christmas!

By: James Roberts

James Roberts — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 05:05:25 +0000

Jamie: Christine Roberts gave me the correct Farmers Almanac (yours) for Christmas. Jan gave me the wrong almanac for my birthday.I haven’t had a chance to read all the articles, but I really like the detailed planetary section. Thank you Jim Roberts

By: Raul

Raul — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 02:48:44 +0000

I remenver that Christmas I was living in Leon Mexico about 500 miles south of Texas Mecxico border and even there is always cold that year was monstrous it was super cold, by February 1984 I came back to south Texas that was in weslaco; all citrus fruit trees were frozen.

By: Donna

Donna — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 21:45:23 +0000

I remember that year because I had family from Ohio. Living in MO it is some times cold and sometimes it is not freezing. My grandmother was in her 80′s but she was there to visit the family that was headed to Colorado. It was so cold we couldn’t spend much time outside!