1963 — Jan 18-30, Coldwaves/snow/icing/high wind/blizzards, esp. IN/OH/IL/NY/MI –315-352
–315-352 B. Wayne Blanchard compilation, Feb-March 2019, based on State breakouts below.[1]
–306 By Jan 29. UPI. “Marathon Freeze Sets New Records.” Aiken Standard and Review, SC. 1-30-1963, 8.
–302 11-days. UPI. “Death Toll from Nation’s Cold Siege Tops 300.” 1-29-1963.[2]
–276 By Jan 28. UPI. “Snow Buries New York; Record Cold Hangs on.” Idaho Free Press, Nampa, IS, 1-28-1963, 1.[3]
–260 Jan 18-28. UPI. “New Storm Blankets Northeast.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, 1.[4]
–243 Jan 19-26. UPI. “Ice, Snow Hits South, Midwest.” Lincoln Journal and Star, NE, 1-27-1963, 1.[5]
–219 Jan 19-26. UPI. “New Cold Front Spreading Out Across Nation.” Coshocton Tribune, OH, 1-27-1963, 1.
–210 By Jan 26. UPI. “U.S. killer freeze toll reaches 210…” Press-Courier, Oxnard, CA. 1-26-1963, 2.[6]
–200 Jan 18-26. UPI. “Killer Freeze Finally Ends, 200 Are Dead.” Dunkirk, NY, 1-26-1963, 1.
–187 By Jan 29. AP. “U.S. Plains, South…Struck.” Republican-Courier, Findlay, OH, 1-30-1963, p1.[7]
–180 By Jan 28. AP. “Sub-Zero Temperatures Continue…” Circleville Herald, OH, 1-29-1963, p1.
–170 By Jan 25. UPI. “Sub-Zero Chiller Oozes Into South.” Greensburg Daily News, IN, 1-25-1963, 1.
–162 By Jan 28. AP. “Wintry Weather Deals New Blows.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA, 1-28-2019, p. 1.
–160 Jan 18-24. UPI. “Eastern Half of U.S. Reels From Storm.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY, 1-25-1963, 1.
–143 UPI. By Jan 24. “Records Fall as Relentless Cold…” Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ, 1-24-1963, 1.
–141 ~Jan 20-26. AP. “Winter Driving Cold Southward.” Gastonia Gazette, NC, 1-27-1963, 7B.[8]
–139 Jan 21-26. AP. “U.S. Relief Fails to Halt Death Toll.” Decatur Daily, AL, 1-26-1963, p.1.[9]
–124 By Jan 25. AP. “Death Toll From Weather is Climbing.” Southern Illinoisan, 1-25-1963, 1.
–112 ~Jan 18-25. AP. “Killer Freeze Continues.” The Robesonian, Lumberton, NC, 1-25-1963, p. 1.
–100 “nearly”. Jan 19-23. UPI. “Arctic Blast…” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI, 1-23-1963, 1.[10]
—>35 By Jan 20. UPI. “Wintry Chill Covers Most of…Country.” Journal and Star, Lincoln, NE, 1-20-1963, 1.[11]
— 19 By Jan 21. AP. “Frigid Weather Holds Grip Far into South.” Daily Journal, MN, 1-21-1963, 9.
Summary of Weather-Related Fatalities by State
Alabama ( 8-10) (Jan 23-27)
Colorado ( 5) (Jan 18)
Georgia ( 5-9) (Jan 18-28)
Idaho ( 1) (Jan 22
Illinois (27-31) (Jan 19-29)
Indiana (52-55) (Jan 18-30)
Iowa ( 5-6) (Jan 19-23)
Kentucky ( 1-7) (Jan 18-28)
Louisiana ( 3) (Jan 23)
Maine ( 9) (Jan 19-27)
Maryland ( 2) (Jan 20-25)
Massachusetts ( 6) (Jan 18-27)
Michigan ( 19) (Jan 18-28)
Minnesota (13-15) (Jan 18-29)
Mississippi ( 2) (Jan 21-26)
Missouri ( 10) (Jan 19-27)
Montana ( 4) (Jan 20-24)
Nebraska ( 3) (Jan 21-22)
New Hampshire ( 1) (Jan 18)
New Jersey ( 4) (Jan 27)
New York ( 21) (Jan 23-28)
North Carolina ( 16) (Jan 24-29)
North Dakota ( 2) (Jan 23-25)
Ohio ( >38) (Jan 22-28)
Oklahoma ( 3-8) (Jan 18-28)
Oregon ( 1) (Jan 30)
Pennsylvania ( 18) (Jan 19-27)
South Carolina ( 1) (Jan 26)
Tennessee ( 6-8) (Jan 23-29)
Texas (16-19) (Jan 18-28)
Vermont ( 1) (Jan 30)
Virginia ( 5) (Jan 27)
Washington ( 1) (Jan 26)
Wisconsin ( 5-10) (Jan 18-27)
Wyoming ( 1) (Jan 24/25)
Cause of Death Summary (where causes are noted)
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning/Suffocation/Asphyxiation (24)
Exposure/Hypothermia (52)
Fires/Burns (42)
Heart Attacks, primarily related to snow removal (64)
Vehicular/Road/Highway (includes sledding into cars) (90)
Other (Drownings, Falls, Plane Crashes, Snowslide) (17)
Breakout of Winter Weather Related Fatalities by State and Locality (where noted):
Alabama (8-10) (Jan 23-27)
–10 Anniston Star, AL. “Relief is Due Icy Residents.” 1-28-1963, p. 1.
— 8 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
— 4 Jan 18-28. UPI. “New Storm…” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
Breakout of Alabama winter weather fatalities by locality where we have noted reporting.
— 1 Birmingham, Jan 23. Suffocation; charcoal-burning heater in room; Jerome Howard, 14.[12]
— 2 Cordova, Jan 27. Weather-connected home fire; Kay Bankhead, 61, daughter, Katha, 4.[13]
— 1 Florence, Jan 23. Car skids into another and then over embankment; George Schmidlkofer, 44.[14]
— 1 Mobile, Jan 27. Weather-connected apartment fire; Leo Jones, 42.[15]
— 1 Montgomery, Jan 27. Exposure; body found in alley behind downtown store; Arlie Elston, 63.[16]
— 2 Tuscaloosa, Jan 26/27. Weather-connected home fire; Boonie Walker 2; sister, Cindy, 1.[17]
Colorado ( 5) (Jan 18)
–5 By Jan 26. UPI. “U.S. killer freeze toll reaches 210…” Press-Courier, Oxnard, CA. 1-26-1963, 2.
–3 Costilla Co. jail, Jan 18. Asphyxiation in jail; propane gas heater; near zero outside temp.[18]
–2 Fort Collins area, ~Jan 18. Car skids into traffic on snow-packed street; mother and son.[19]
Georgia (5-9) (Jan 18-28)
–9 Jan 19-26. UPI. “New Cold Front Spreading Out Across Nation.” Coshocton Tribune, OH, 1-27-1963, 1.
–9 Jan 18-28. UPI. “New Storm…” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
–5 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
Breakout of Georgia winter weather-related fatalities by locality where we have noted reporting:
–4 Baldwin, Jan 24. Fire; family home.[20]
–1 Vidalia, Jan 24 or 25. School fire, child killed.[21]
Idaho ( 1) (Jan 22)
–1 Peck, Jan 22. Found frozen; apparently slipped on ice after removing tire chains; Leonard W. Woods, 55.[22]
Illinois (27-31) (Jan 19-29)
–31 UPI. “Death Toll from…Cold Siege Tops 300.” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI, 1-29-1963, 1.
–27 By Jan 28. UPI. “Snow Buries New York; Record Cold Hangs on.” Idaho Free Press, Nampa, IS, 1-28-1963, 1.
–25 Jan 18-28. UPI. “New Storm…” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
–24 By Jan 26. UPI. “U.S. killer freeze toll reaches 210…” Press-Courier, Oxnard, CA. 1-26-1963, 2.
–23 Jan 19-26. UPI. “New Cold Front Spreading Out Across Nation.” Coshocton Tribune, OH, 1-27-1963, 1.
–19 By Jan 24. UPI. “Records Fall as Relentless Cold…” Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ, 1-24-1963, 1.
–14 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
Breakout of Illinois winter weather-related fatalities by locality where we have seen reporting:
— 1 Bellville, ~Jan 24. Heart attack after shoveling snow at home; Dr. Ray J. Joseph, 76.[23]
— 2 Brimfield, Jan 23. Hypothermia; elderly brother and sister in unheated home (Hamiltons).[24]
— 1 Carmi/Crossville area, US 460, Jan 22. Bus drives into back of car; snowfall obscured car.[25]
— 1 Freeburg area, US 460, Jan 21. Car goes into skid and hits truck; Donald Anthony Hundelt, 19.[26]
— 1 Homewood area, Jan 25. Car skids on and hits trees; passenger Catherine Zohfield, 39.[27]
— 1 Manhattan area, ~Jan 21. Exposure; trying to walk ½ mile home; stalled car; John R. Feeney, 50.[28]
— 3 Morris, Jan 23. House fire; Carol, 15, Nancy, 12, and Kay Matteson, 9.[29]
— 2 Nashville area, Rt. 460, Jan 19. Cars collide when one slides on sleet-slick road.[30]
— 1 Ottawa area, ~Jan 21. Exposure in unheated home; Mrs. Dorothy Skinner, 41.[31]
— 1 Southern IL, ~Jan 21. Exposure; found frozen to death in yard; Cora A. McCann, 76.[32]
Indiana (52-55) (Jan 18-30)
–55 By Jan 29. AP. “Capital Woman Freezes to Death.” Terre Haute Tribune, IN, 1-30-1963, 11.[33]
–52 Jan 19-30. UPI. “Sub-Zero Blast was a ‘Surprise’.” Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN, 1-31-1963, 16.
–51 By Jan 28. AP. “Brief Warmup Will Precede More Snow.” Rushville Republican, IN, 1-29-1963, 1.[34]
–50 By Jan 28. AP. “Readings Drop Near All-Time Low for Indiana.” Logansport Press, IN, 1-29-1963, 1.
–48 UPI. “Death Toll from…Cold Siege Tops 300.” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI, 1-29-1963, 1.
–47 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–46 By Jan 28. Linton Daily Citizen, IN. “Official Low Set at -21…” 1-28-1963, p. 1.[35]
–46 Jan 18-28. UPI. “New Storm…” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
–44 Jan 19-26. UPI. “New Cold Front Spreading Out Across Nation.” Coshocton Tribune, OH, 1-27-1963, 1.
–43 Jan 19-27. AP. “New Winter Storm Moves into Indiana.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN, 1-27-1963, 1.
–42 Jan 19-26. Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. “More Snow Due…” 1-26-2963, p. 1.[36]
–39 By Jan 26. UPI. “U.S. killer freeze toll reaches 210…” Press-Courier, Oxnard, CA. 1-26-1963, 2.
–37 By Jan 25. UPI. “Temperature…Drops to 6-Below.” Evening News, Jeffersonville, IN. 1-25-1963, p. 1.
–32 By Jan 24. Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. “State Frozen, 1-24-1963, p. 18.[37]
–30 Brazil Daily Times, IN. “Temperature Below Zero Lingers…” 1-24-1963, p. 1.[38]
–29 Jan 20-24. Assoc. Press. “Record Cold Raps State.” Logansport Press, 1-24-1963, p. 1.[39]
–22 Jan 19-23. UPI. “Mercury Dips to 8 Below…” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-23-1963, p. 1.
–16 Traffic.
— 2 Exposure.
— 4 Fire.
— 1 Carbon monoxide poisoning.
–13 Jan 19. Road/vehicular accidents. UPI. “Thirteen Die in Week-End Traffic.”[40]
— 1 Jan 24/25. Exposure after car stalls in open county; male.[41]
Breakout of Indiana winter weather-related fatalities by locality, where we have noted reporting:
–1 Bloomington, Jan 24. Collapsed/died, apparent heart attack after shoveling snow; J.L. Mahler, 52.[42]
–2 Chandler area US 460, Jan 19. Car/truck collision; Donald Williams, 21 & Mary Head, 20.[43]
–1 Connersville, Jan 20. Home fire; kitchen stove explosion; Mrs. Mary Jenkins, 62.[44]
–1 Elkhart, Jan 29. Heart attack after shoveling snow at home; Floyd A. Klopfenstein, 67.[45]
–1 Evansville, Jan 25. Heart attack shoveling snow; Frederick Elmendorf, 62.[46]
–1 Evansville, Jan 25. Heart attack shoveling snow; William Graham, 62.[47]
–1 Evansville, Jan 25. Heart attack shoveling snow; Chris Schomburg, 74.[48]
–1 Fort Wayne, Jan 30. Car “skidded on a snow-covered road” into truck; Dorothea Steinbeck, 46.[49]
–3 Gary, Jan 23. Apt. fire, oil heater explosion; Carrie McGee, 67, nieces 8 & 12.[50]
–1 Greensburg, ~Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow at home; Bernie M. Hatfield, 60.[51]
–2 Greenwood, Jan 20. Car “skidded out of control on icy Indiana 431…” Jerry Lee Roberts, 10.[52]
–1 Indianapolis, Jan 21. Exposure? Frozen body found on sidewalk; -8°. Orville Huddleston, ~65.[53]
–1 Indianapolis, Jan 21. Home fire from overheated stove; Mrs. Ida LaMar, 81.[54]
–1 Indianapolis, ~Jan 27. Exposure (coroner); found frozen in kitchen rocking chair; Shannon.[55]
–1 Indianapolis, Jan 29. Heart attack after shoveling snow at home; Forest R. Klepfer, 65.[56]
–1 La Porte, Jan 23. Heart attack from shoveling snow at his home; Robert Jackson, 50.[57]
–1 Lafayette, ~Jan 24. Exposure; died in hospital after being found in unheated dwelling. Lea.[58]
–2 Lagrange, Jan 27. Home fire; over-heated coal stove; Slabaugh brothers, Roger Lee, 5, John 3.[59]
–1 Marion Co., west, Jan 20. Car leaves road; Mrs. Stella Colvin, 37 of Indianapolis.[60]
–2 Monticello area. Vehicular collision “blamed on a snow cloud kicked up by a big truck.”[61]
–1 Muncie area, Jan 19. Cars collide; Charles Retinger, 62, of Pittsburgh PA.[62]
–1 Muncie, ~Jan 26. Fire believed started by attempt to thaw pipes. Thomas M. Young, 31.[63]
–1 Muncie, Jan 28. Car wouldn’t start; when jumper cables started car it moved, pinning victim.[64]
–1 North Webster area, Jan 27. Heart attack after digging car out of snowbank; Bruce E Mudemson, 67.[65]
–1 Oldenburg, Jan 20. Injuries from Jan 20; car “skidded over an embankment…” John Fields, 53.[66]
–2 Richmond, Jan 20. Car crashed into tree. Dayton Rockhill, 17, and Carolyn Bergfield, 16.[67]
–1 Rochester, Jan 24. “stricken while removing snow from an awning…” Harley C. Fultz, 77.[68]
–1 Roseland, Jan 28. Heart attack shoveling snow in -15° temp. at home; Adam Haid, 84.[69]
–1 Russiaville, Jan 23. “…collapsed and died…inside…after shoveling snow…” Jay Younkin, 66.[70]
–1 Schererville, Jan 21. Cars collide “on an icy U.S. 47 overpass…” Mrs. Mary Ann Dargis, 36.[71]
–1 South Bend, Jan 23. Heart attack after going outside in subzero cold; Melvin Ray Kaser, 58.[72]
–1 South Bend, Jan 27. CO poisoning from faulty home gas heater; Leonard Waicat, 56.[73]
–1 Valparaiso area, Jan 23. Heart attack walking for shelter after car stalled in -6° weather.[74]
–2 Washington/Wheatland area, US 421, Jan 19. Cars collide; Lawrence Lucas, 44; Rose Ella Hopkins, 30.[75]
–1 Waveland, Jan 21. Car “skidded on slippery Ind. 47” over embankment; Paula Jo Pollock, 21.[76]
–1 Windfall area, Jan 23. Exposure trying to walk home from snowdrift-stalled car; Osborne.[77]
–2 Wolcott area, Jan 24. 3-car pile-up “on snow-covered Indiana 53 in White County.”[78]
–1 Locale not noted, by Jan 23. Carbon monoxide poisoning.[79]
Iowa (5-6) (Jan 19-23)
–6 Jan 18-28. UPI. “New Storm…” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
–5 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–4 By Jan 26. UPI. “U.S. killer freeze toll reaches 210…” Press-Courier, Oxnard, CA. 1-26-1963, 2.
Breakout of Iowa winter weather-related deaths by locality where we have seen reporting:
–1 Cedar Rapids, Jan 19. Heart attack; removing snow with snowblower; Owen C. Thomas; 70.[80]
–1 Clarion, Jan 21. Heart attack shoveling snow in -23° temperature; N. E. Carter, 76.[81]
–1 Galland, Jan 23. Exposure, possibly preceded by heart attack, in river shack; Lucy Bruce, 77.[82]
–1 Pella area, Jan 23. Man stops car due to blowing snow, gets out, hit by another car; John J. Chuck, 39.[83]
–1 Sigourney area, Jan 19. Car hits truck clearing snow from hwy. 149; Lindsey Wyllie, 49.[84]
Kentucky (1-7) (Jan 18-28)
–7 Jan 18-28. UPI. “New Storm…” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
–1 Robinson Creek area, Pike Co., Jan 29. Truck skids on icy road; George Tackett, about 50.[85]
Louisiana ( 3) (Jan 23)
–3 Jan 23. Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 3.
–1 Jonesboro, Jan 23. Frozen hydrant prevents fire-fighting; occupant killed.
–2 Lake Gauche, Jan 23. Drownings; boat overturned in high wind.
Maine ( 9) (Jan 19-27)
–9 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–1 Augusta, Jan 19. Slips and falls from snow covered roof; Albert Cote, 34.[86]
–7 Elephant Mountain, Jan 24. B-52 crash due to air turbulence and structural failure.[87]
–1 Locale not noted, Jan 27. Auto accident; skidding on icy road, woman. Storm Data, Jan, p. 3.
Maryland ( 2) (Jan 20-25)
–1 Baltimore, Jan 25. CO? Frozen body found in garage; apparently had been working on car; Glover.[88]
–1 Manokin, Jan 20-22. Exposure; found dead in field Jan 22; wandered off Jan 20; Ellen Tucker, 69.[89]
Massachusetts ( 6) (Jan 18-27)
–6 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–3 Locales not noted. Jan 18. Vehicular skidding accidents. (Storm Data, 5/1, Jan 1963, p. 4.)
–1 Somerset, Jan 27. Skidding car hits and kills man. (Storm Data, 5/1, Jan 1963, p. 4.)
–2 Locales not noted, Jan 27. “…overexertion from shoveling snow.” Storm Data, Jan, p. 4.
Michigan (19) (Jan 18-28)
–19 UPI. “Death Toll from…Cold Siege Tops 300.” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI, 1-29-1963, 1.
–19 Jan 18-28. UPI. “New Storm…” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
–16 News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI. “Cold Wave Easing in Michigan.” 1-26-1963, p. 8.
–14 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–13 Jan 19-26. UPI. “New Cold Front Spreading Out Across Nation.” Coshocton Tribune, OH, 1-27-1963, 1.
–12 By Jan 26. UPI. “U.S. killer freeze toll reaches 210…” Press-Courier, Oxnard, CA. 1-26-1963, 2.
–10 By Jan 24. UPI. “Records Fall as Relentless Cold…” Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ, 1-24-1963, 1.
— 8 Jan 20-22. UPI. “New Snow Piles up in Western Portion of State.” Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI, 1-22-1963, p. 1.
Breakout of Michigan winter weather-related fatalities by locality where we have noted reports.
— 2 Antrim Co., Jan 20. CO poisoning; man and woman in parked car; heater on for warmth.[90]
— 1 Battle Creek area, Jan 24. Heart attack; clearing snow in jeep-type low; became stuck in snow.[91]
— 1 Battle Creek, Jan 24. Exposure? Man found dead in construction co. storage shed.[92]
— 2 Charlevoix, US 31N, Jan 21. Car drives into back of truck; icy road; poor visibility.”[93]
— 1 Kalamazoo, Jan 21. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Roy O. West, 76.[94]
— 1 Kalamazoo area, I-94, Jan 24. Man helping stranded motorist push car hit by truck.[95]
— 2 Kent City area, Jan 21. Three-car collision attributed to blinding snow and ice-slick hwy.[96]
— 1 Monroe, Jan 23. Exposure; frozen body found seated in rocker in front of open window.[97]
— 1 Pontiac area, MI 59, Jan 20. Driver slides out of control into path of another car.[98]
— 1 South Haven area, Jan 20. Man attaching chain to stalled car hit by car in blinding snow.[99]
— 1 Southfield, Jan 21. Man changing flat tire hit by snowplow; Irving Sherman, 38.[100]
Minnesota (13-15) (Jan 18-29)
–15 UPI. “Death Toll from…Cold Siege Tops 300.” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI, 1-29-1963, 1.
–13 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–11 Jan 18-28. UPI. “New Storm…” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
–10 By Jan 24. Brazil Daily Times, IN. “Deaths, Damage,” 1-24-1963, p. 9.
— 9 Jan 19-26. UPI. “New Cold Front Spreading Out Across Nation.” Coshocton Tribune, OH, 1-27-1963, 1.
— 5 By Jan 26. UPI. “U.S. killer freeze toll reaches 210…” Press-Courier, Oxnard, CA. 1-26-1963, 2.
Breakout of Minnesota winter weather-related fatalities by locality where we have seen reports:
–3 Crow Wing Lake area, Jan 21. Crash or exposure; car skids off road and into ditch.[101]
–1 Fountain City, Jan 28. Car skids on snow-patch, down hill into tree; Frank C. Schmidlknecht, 80.[102]
–2 Gibbon area; Jan 20. Exposure; bodies found in ditch; man/wife after car runs out of gas.[103]
–2 Minneapolis, Jan 29. Exposure/malnutrition; brothers; home; broken furnace; Malthaners.[104]
–1 Pierz, Jan 24. Hypothermia/exposure; became trapped in home basement; John Maier, 80.[105]
–1 Redwood Falls, Jan 18. Exposure; apparently fell on street, couldn’t get up; Walter Otto, 60.[106]
–1 St. Paul, Jan 23. Woman found frozen to death in yard after night of drinking; Pauline Klein, 67.[107]
–2 Starbuck, Jan 24. CO poisoning; ice formed around chimney metal cap; Mr./Mrs. L. Stenson.[108]
Mississippi ( 2) (Jan 21-26)
–6 Jan 12-29. “A few people and cattle died of exposure…” Storm Data, Jan 1963, p. 4.[109]
–2 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–1 By Jan 26. UPI. “U.S. killer freeze toll reaches 210…” Press-Courier, Oxnard, CA. 1-26-1963, 2.
–1 Indianola, Jan 25. Exposure; frozen barefooted body found just inside home door; Alexander.[110]
–1 Leland, Jan 21-26. Exposure; became lost walking, fell, died of exposure; female, 75.[111]
Missouri (10) (Jan 19-27)
–7 Blanchard tally from locality breakout below.
–6 Jan 18-28. UPI. “New Storm…” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
–6 Jan 19-27. UPI. “New Cold Front Spreading Out Across Nation.” Coshocton Tribune, OH, 1-27-1963, 1.
Breakout of Missouri winter weather-related fatalities by locality where we have seen reporting:
–4 East Prairie. Jan 27. Home fire caused by overheated stove; mother and three children.[112]
–1 Frisco, Jan 20. Car slides on slippery grade crossing into a stop in front of train; R. Williams.[113]
–2 Hartwell area, Jan 19. Cars collide headon in snowstorm; Cornelia and Earl Wooley, 66.[114]
–1 Hartville area, Jan 24/25. Exposure; body of “farm woman…found beside a rural road.”[115]
–2 Louisiana area, Jan 19/20 evening/morning. Exposure; man and woman after drinking.[116]
Montana ( 4) (Jan 20-24)
–4 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–2 By Jan 26. UPI. “U.S. killer freeze toll reaches 210…” Press-Courier, Oxnard, CA. 1-26-1963, 2.
–2 Arlee area, Jan 24. Car & truck collide in snowstorm; James D. Knicely, 35, wife Donna, 34.[117]
–1 Liberty County, Jan 20. Snowslide near rural home; Dean Woods, 12.[118]
–1 Missoula, Jan 20. Cars slide into collision on icy road; Daniel Elija Maerz, four-months.[119]
Nebraska ( 3) (Jan 21-22)
–3 By Jan 26. UPI. “U.S. killer freeze toll reaches 210…” Press-Courier, Oxnard, CA. 1-26-1963, 2.
–1 Ainsworth, Jan 21 (body found). Apparent exposure in home; -26° when found; Fred Teleen, 72.[120]
–1 Norfolk, Jan 22. Heart attack shoveling truck out of snowdrift; Raymond Daniel, 47.[121]
–1 Norfolk, Jan 22. Heart attack walking to meeting, -12°; Arthur C. Ward, 72.[122]
New England (29)
–29 UPI. “Death Toll from…Cold Siege Tops 300.” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI, 1-29-1963, 1.
–15 Jan 19-26. UPI. “New Cold Front Spreading Out Across Nation.” Coshocton Tribune, OH, 1-27-1963, 1.
–15 By Jan 24. UPI. “Records Fall as Relentless Cold…” Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ, 1-24-1963, 1.
New Hampshire ( 1) (Jan 18)
–1 Greenland, Jan 18. Car skids and collides with pole on slick road; Victor L. Jackson, 22.[123]
New Jersey ( 4) (Jan 27)
–4 Jan 27. Apparent heart attacks “from shoveling snow.”[124]
New York (21) (Jan 23-28)
–21 Jan 23-28. AP. “Sub-Zero Temperatures Continue…” Circleville Herald, OH, 1-29-1963, 1.[125]
–15 Overexertion while shoveling snow.
— 5 Traffic accidents on snow-covered highways.
— 1 Exposure.
–21 Blanchard tally from locality and/orcause-of-death breakouts below.
–17 Jan 23-28. AP. “Winter Blast Staggers State.” Evening Sun, Norwich, NY, 1-28-1963, 1.[126]
–14 By Jan 26. AP. “Respite for State.” Oswego Palladium-Times, NY, 1-26-1963, 1.[127]
–13 Jan 24-25. AP. “Buffalo…Snowbound…” Oswego Palladium-Times, 1-25-1963, p. 1.[128]
–11 Jan 24-25. AP. “Storm Delays State Travel.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, 1-25-1963, p.1.
–10 UPI. “New Storm Blankets Northeast.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p1.
— 8 Jan 19-26. UPI. “New Cold Front Spreading Out Across Nation.” Coshocton Tribune, OH, 1-27-1963, 1.
— “Many,” Jan 26-28. “mainly through exposure or overexertion.” (Storm Data, Jan 1963, p. 4.)
Breakout of New York winter weather-related fatalities by locality where we have seen reports.
— 1 Elmira, Jan 24. Apparent heart attack; shoveling snow; Nicholas Popovitch, 31.[129]
— 1 Hornell area, Jan 24. Cars collide “on snow-slick Rt. 21” south of Hornell; Marion Rose, 40.[130]
— 1 Ira, Brandt Rd., Jan 24. Trucks collide in “A blowing snowstorm…” Clarence Dunham, 30.[131]
— 1 Maybrook by Jan 22. Traffic “accident caused by blowing snow.” Joseph D. Punaro.[132]
— 1 Oneonta, Jan 24. Apparent “heart attack induced by shoveling snow at his home.” J.K. Spirson, 59.[133]
— 1 Port Kent, Jan 28. Man preparing to shovel driveway snow, hit by passing coal truck.[134]
— 3 Rochester, Jan 23-24. Heart attacks shoveling snow; men.[135]
— 1 Rochester, Jan 28. Heart attack shoveling snow.[136]
— 1 Troy, Jan 28. Heart attack shoveling snow.[137]
— 1 Webster, Jan 24. Fire; “apparently started from a defective space heater in the small…dwelling.”[138]
— 1 Wellsville area, Jan 25. Autos collide “on an icy road…” Ms. Delores Allen, 39.[139]
— 8 Locals not noted, Jan 23-28. Heart attacks shoveling snow.[140]
North Carolina ( 16) (Jan 24-29)
–16 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
— 1 Asheville, Jan 24. Exposure, Buster Lytle, 48.[141]
— 4 Charlotte, Jan 24-25. Two house fires; Fire Chief says overheated furnaces contributed.[142]
— 2 Concord area, Jan 26. Autos collide; Mrs. Cora Lambert Talbert, 46; Mrs. Annie Bell Rowland, 42.[143]
— 2 Duplin County, Jan 29. Exposure. (Storm Data, Jan 1963, p. 5.)
— 1 Greensboro area, Jan 24 or 25. Patrol car wrecks; “road made hazardous by the weather.”[144]
— 1 Henderson, Jan 24 or 25. Exposure; Mrs. Lewis Evans.[145]
— 3 Nags Head area, Jan 24. “…disabled fishing vessel during some of the coldest weather in recent years.”[146]
— 1 Rougemont, Jan 24 or 25. House fire; Patricia Ann Latta, 4.[147]
— 1 Rowan County, Jan 25. Automobile accident; Alvin Swayne Moss.[148]
North Dakota ( 2) (Jan 23-25)
–1 Grandville, Jan 24/25. Exposure after man fell on the steps leading to his home.[149]
–1 Tolley area, Jan 23. Car runs off road; man tries to walk to a farm; 22° temp;[150] Neubeck.[151]
Ohio (32-38) (Jan 22-28)
—>38 UPI. “Ohio Gets Home Heating Warning.” Defiance Crescent-News, OH, 1-31-1963, 3.[152]
— 32 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
— 31 UPI. “Death Toll from…Cold Siege Tops 300.” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI, 1-29-1963, 1.
— 22 Jan 22-28. UPI. “New Storm…” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
— 15 Jan 22-26. UPI. “Warming Trend Nips Cold Wave.” Daily Jeffersonian, Cambridge, OH, 1-26-1963, 1.
— 14 Jan 19-26. UPI. “New Cold Front Spreading Out Across Nation.” Coshocton Tribune, OH, 1-27-1963, 1.
— 11 By Jan 24. UPI. “Cold Wave One of Worst in Nearly Century.” Daily Times, New Philadelphia, OH, 1-24-1963, 1.
Breakout of Ohio winter weather-related fatalities by locality (where we have seen reporting):
–4 Akron, Jan 26. Carbon monoxide poisoning; faulty apartment heater.[153]
–1 Cincinnati, Jan 25. Heart attack after shoveling snow; Joseph Plogman, 70.[154]
–2 Cincinnati, Jan 27. Heart attacks shoveling snow; males.[155]
–7 Cleveland area, Jan 23. Heart attacks shoveling snow at homes; elderly males.[156]
–1 Cleveland, Jan 23. Heart attack shoveling snow, Peter Niewarsky, 61.[157]
–2 Cleveland, Jan 24. Heart attacks shoveling snow. (Presumably Cleveland.)
–1 Cleveland, Jan 24. House fire, woman burned to death.[158]
–1 Cleveland, Jan 25. Heart attack shoveling snow.[159]
–1 Cleveland, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow (11th snow shoveling heart attack death there).[160]
–1 Cleveland, Jan 27. Heart attack shoveling snow.[161]
–1 Columbus, Jan 26. Carbon monoxide poisoning in his room; Earl Adkins, 50.[162]
–1 Dayton, Jan 23. Boy, 12, hit by truck pushing stalled cars.[163]
–2 Dayton, Jan 26. CO poisoning; home; clogged gas furnace flue; Louis, 68, Edward Zimmer, 55.[164]
–1 Newark, Jan 25. Exposure; “froze to death after apparently collapsing.”[165] Charles H. Collins, 77.[166]
–1 Sandusky, Jan 24. Apparent exposure; found frozen on sidewalk near home; Lyle P Schumacher, 47.[167]
–2 Toledo, Jan 28. CO poisoning from gas heater fumes; Samuel Cutshall, 76, wife, Maude.[168]
–1 Willowick, Jan 23. Heart attack shoveling snow at home: Earl S. Bowen, 67.[169]
–2 Locales not noted, Jan 27. “…accidents on icy highways.”[170]
–1 Locale not noted, Jan 23. Heart attack shoveling snow.[171]
Oklahoma (3-8) (Jan 18-28)
–8 Jan 18-28. UPI. “New Storm…” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.[172]
–8 Jan 19-26. UPI. “New Cold Front Spreading Out Across Nation.” Coshocton Tribune, OH, 1-27-1963, 1.
–3 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below. (Jan 19, 21, 26)
–1 Colbert, Jan 26; Exposure; apparently slipped and fell after leaving car; Mrs. Jackie McConnell, 44.[173]
–1 Enid, Spring Park Lake, Jan 21. Drowning after falling through ice; Robert Lee Owens, 8.[174]
–1 Tulsa County, Jan 19. Car on snow glazed road crashes into bridge; Virgil Jackie Reynolds, 20.[175]
Oregon ( 1) (Jan 30)
–1 A northern county, Jan 30. Freezing rain and traffic fatality. (Storm Data, Jan 1963, p. 5.)
Pennsylvania (18) (Jan 19-27)
–18 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.[176]
–15 By Jan 27. UPI. “Weather Miseries Plague Districts in [PA].” New Castle News, PA, 1-28-1963, 2.[177]
— 9 Jan 18-28. UPI. “New Storm…” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
—>8 By Jan 27. UPI. “Weather Miseries Plague Districts in [PA].” New Castle News, PA, 1-28-1963, 2.
— 7 By Jan 26. UPI. “U.S. killer freeze toll reaches 210…” Press-Courier, Oxnard, CA. 1-26-1963, 2.
Breakout of PA winter weather-related fatalities by locality where we have seen reporting:
–1 Baldwin Borough, Jan 23. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow; Mrs. Ann Olisher.[178]
–1 Belle Vernon, US 70S, Jan 23. Truck skidded on snow-covered road off bridge; Richard C. Lane, 62.[179]
–1 Cherry Tree R.D., Jan 26. Admitted to hosp. Jan 25 for exposure; no home heat; Benjamin Piper, 83.[180]
–1 Feasterville, Jan 24. Fall while sweeping snow from sidewalk; Mrs. Mary Scull, 84.[181]
–1 Harrisburg, Jan 23. Man walking along hwy. in snowfall, hit by car; Clyde Fetzer, 79.[182]
–1 Lebanon, Jan 20. Asphyxiation; coal gas fumes; home stove/heater; John Solesky, Jr., 58.[183]
–1 Lebanon, Jan 27. Road grader skids; throws driver under the blade; Silva Lacroix, 54.[184]
–2 New Castle, Jan 27. Truck “skidded on a snow-covered hill and rammed into a pole.”[185]
–1 Penn Hills district of Pittsburgh, ~Jan 23. Exposure (morgue report); unidentified man.[186]
–1 Philadelphia, Jan 24-25. Exposure in parking lot; man.[187]
–1 Philadelphia, Jan 27. Crash after car hits median strip hidden by snow; Charles Wolverton, 50.[188]
–1 Pittsburgh/North Side section, Jan 24. Exposure; between two parked cars in lot; Stanley A. Wabal, 50.[189]
–1 Pittsburgh/Mt. Washington district, Jan 26 (body found). Exposure; John Deminsky, 62.[190]
–1 Selinsgrove, Jan 19. Car falls on man while putting on snow tire chains; Herman Mengle, 69.[191]
–1 Washington, Jan 27. Car skids on snow into another; passenger Bernd Guckert, 22.[192]
–1 Waynesboro, Jan 26. Truck hits concrete side of bridge in snowfall; Crawford C. Barnhart, 37.[193]
–1 Windber area, Jan 23. Two-car collision, icy road; Sandy Olszewski, 19, from Portage.[194]
South Carolina ( 1) (Jan 26)
–1 Lancaster or Kershaw county, Jan 26. Freezing rain and ice; automobile accident.[195]
Tennessee ( 6-8) (Jan 23-29)
— 8 By Jan 26. Kingsport Times-News, TN. “2-Inch Snow is Forecast.” 1-27-1963, p. 1.
— 6 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
— 4 By Jan 26. UPI. “U.S. killer freeze toll reaches 210…” Press-Courier, Oxnard, CA. 1-26-1963, 2.
–~3 Locales not noted, Jan 23-26. “Several deaths…indirectly related to weather and road conditions.”[196]
Breakout of Tennessee weather-related fatalities by locality where we have noted reporting.
— 1 Chattanooga, Jan 29. Exposure; found in his backyard by neighbors; Millard Thurman Thompson, 46.[197]
— 1 Nashville area, US 41, Jan 23 or 24. Headon collision; icy/snowy road; Edward Wiser, 23.[198]
— 1 Nashville, Jan 26. Sledding accident (in front of car); Richard Sprofkin, 11.[199]
— 1 Old Hickory, Jan 26. Car skids down icy grade into milk truck; Mrs. Clayton Doly, 53.[200]
— 1 Locale not noted, Jan 25 report. Hypothermia in “home warmed by a single gas heater.”[201]
— 1 Locale not noted, by Jan 26. Weather-connected traffic fatality.[202]
Texas (16-19) (Jan 18-28)
–17 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below (Jan 18-27)
–16 Jan 18-28. UPI. “New Storm…” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
–15 Jan 19-26. UPI. “New Cold Front Spreading Out Across Nation.” Coshocton Tribune, OH, 1-27-1963, 1.
–13 UPI. “Cold Causes 13 Deaths in Texas.” Waxahachie Daily Light, TX, 1-21-1963, 1.[203]
–10 By Jan 24. UPI. “Records Fall as Relentless Cold…” Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ, 1-24-1963, 1.
Breakout of Texas winter weather-related fatalities by locality where we have noted reporting:
–1 Austin area, Jan 24. Exposure; in home; parents said they couldn’t afford heat; Susan Revada, 6.[204]
–2 Bryan area, Hwy. 21, Jan 18. Cars collide in fog and drizzle preceding cold front; Dean.[205]
–2 Cameron, ~Jan 19. Burns when kerosene stove explodes; 21° weather.[206]
–1 Cee Vee area, Jan 19. Exposure in 2° weather after car crash; Edward Dean McIntire, 19.[207]
–1 Cleburne, ~Jan 19. Switchman slips and falls to death under train in snowstorm.[208]
–1 Corpus Christi, Jan 22. CO poisoning/asphyxiation from gas heater; Erwin Knesek, 21.[209]
–1 Cowtrap Swamp ~Freeport, Jan 27. Exposure; fisherman in stranded boat; J.H. Fortenberry, 53.[210]
–2 El Paso, Jan 19. Small plane crash; airport approach in snowstorm; Tucker and Domb.[211]
–1 Fort Worth, Jan 18. Fire “caused by a faulty heater.” Milton Wyle, 63.[212]
–1 Haskell area, Jan 27. Car crash injuries and exposure, 12° weather; John Catana, 29.[213]
–2 Orange, ~Jan 22. CO poisoning from gas heater in home; John W. Huber, 19, wife Betty, 19.[214]
–1 Pike, Jan 22. Exposure trying to walk seven miles; extremely cold weather; John W. Dillon, 60.[215]
–1 Snyder area, Jan 19. Exposure; walking from stalled truck to ranch-house; Novis N. Rodgers, ~50.[216]
–1 Uvalde area, Jan 20. Car overturns “on icy highway 12 miles west…” Marvin L. Latimer, 19.[217]
–1 Traffic by Jan 20. “The weather was a factor in at least four highway deaths.”[218]
Vermont ( 1) (Jan 30)
–1 Hinesburg, Jan 30. Heart attack trying to shovel car out of snowbank; Lawrence C. Whitcher, 41.[219]
Virginia ( 5) (Jan 27)
–5 Alberta; Jan 27. Home fire; “an overheated stove or heater was blamed for…blaze…” Children.[220]
Washington ( 1) (Jan 26)
–1 Seattle, Jan 26. Car slides on icy street into utility pole; Harold Thomas Ballard, 32.[221]
Wisconsin (5-10) (Jan 18-27)
–10 Jan 18-28. UPI. “New Storm…” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
— 8 Jan 19-26. UPI. “New Cold Front Spreading Out Across Nation.” Coshocton Tribune, OH, 1-27-1963, 1.
— 5 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
Breakout of Wisconsin weather related fatalities by locality where we have noted reporting:
–5 Milwaukee, Jan 23. House fire; Jefferson children; Harry/13, Ray/7, Chester/4, Debra/5, Diane/2.[222]
–1 Monroe, Jan 20. Heart attack shoveling snow at home; Laurence K. (Dutch) Wegner, 57.[223]
–1 Neillsville, Jan 18. Heart attack shoveling snow at home; John F. Bauer, ~70.[224]
–1 Oshkosh area, Jan 20. Car hits drift, goes off-road onto RR tracks in blowing snow; hit by train.[225]
–1 Stoughton, Jan 27. Fire caused by blowtorch used to thaw frozen pipes; Sever Quale, 87.[226]
–1 Wausau, Jan 22. Heart attack shoveling snow at home; Oscar J. Mueller, 69.[227]
Wyoming ( 1) (Jan 24/25)
–1 Jan 24/25. Carbon monoxide poisoning; truck driver in cab; heater running to keep warm.[228]
Breakout of Weather-Related Fatalities by Cause, State, Locality, Date, where noted:
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning/Suffocation/Asphyxiation (24)
–1 AL, Birmingham, Jan 23. Suffocation; charcoal-burning heater in room; Jerome Howard, 14.
–3 CO, Costilla Co. jail, Jan 18. Asphyxiation in jail; propane gas heater; near 0° outside temp.
–1 IN, Locale not noted, by Jan 23. Carbon monoxide poisoning.
–1 IN, South Bend, Jan 27. CO poisoning from faulty home gas heater; Leonard Waicat, 56.
–2 MI, Antrim Co., Jan 20. CO poisoning; man and woman in parked car; heater on for warmth.
–2 MN, Starbuck, Jan 24. CO poisoning; ice formed around chimney metal cap; Mr./Mrs. L. Stenson.
–4 OH, Akron, Jan 26. Carbon monoxide poisoning; faulty apartment heater.
–1 OH, Columbus, Jan 26. Carbon monoxide poisoning in his room; Earl Adkins, 50.
–2 OH, Dayton, Jan 26. CO poisoning; home; clogged gas furnace flue; Louis, 68, Edward Zimmer, 55.
–2 OH, Toledo, Jan 28. CO poisoning; gas heater fumes; Samuel Cutshall, 76, wife, Maude.
–1 PA, Lebanon, Jan 20. Asphyxiation; coal gas fumes; home stove/heater; John Solesky, Jr., 58.
–1 TX, Corpus Christi, Jan 22. CO poisoning/asphyxiation from gas heater; Erwin Knesek, 21.
–2 TX, Orange, ~Jan 22. CO poisoning, gas heater in home; John W. Huber, 19, wife Betty, 19.
–1 WY, Jan 24/25. Carbon monoxide poisoning; truck driver in cab; heater running to keep warm.
Exposure/Hypothermia (52)
–1 AL, Montgomery, Jan 27. Exposure; body found in alley behind downtown store; Arlie Elston, 63.
–1 ID, Peck, Jan 22. Found frozen; apparently slipped on ice after removing tire chains; Woods.
–2 IL, Brimfield, Jan 23. Hypothermia; elderly brother and sister in unheated home (Hamiltons).
–1 IL, Manhattan area, ~Jan 21. Exposure; trying to walk ½ mile home; stalled car; John Feeney, 50.
–1 IL, Ottawa area, ~Jan 21. Exposure in unheated home; Mrs. Dorothy Skinner, 41.
–1 IL, Southern IL, ~Jan 21. Exposure; found frozen to death in yard; Cora A. McCann, 76.
–1 IN, Indianapolis, Jan 21. Exposure? Frozen body found on sidewalk; -8°. Orville Huddleston, ~65.
–1 IN, Indianapolis, ~Jan 27. Exposure (coroner); found frozen in kitchen rocking chair; Shannon.
–1 IN, Lafayette, ~Jan 24. Exposure; died in hospital after being found in unheated dwelling; Lea.
–1 IN, Windfall area, Jan 23. Exposure trying to walk home from snowdrift-stalled car; Osborne.
–1 IA, Galland, Jan 23. Exposure, possibly preceded by heart attack, in river shack; Lucy Bruce, 77.
–1 MD, Manokin, Jan 20-22. Exposure; found dead in field Jan 22; wandered off Jan 20; Ellen Tucker, 69.
–1 MI, Battle Creek, Jan 24. Exposure? Man found dead in construction co. storage shed.
–1 MI, Monroe, Jan 23. Exposure; frozen body found seated in rocker in front of open window.
–2 MN, Gibbon area; Jan 20. Exposure; bodies found in ditch; man/wife; car ran out of gas.
–2 MN, Minneapolis, Jan 29. Exposure/malnutrition; brothers; home; broken furnace; Malthaners.
–1 MN, Pierz, Jan 24. Hypothermia/exposure; became trapped in home basement; John Maier, 80.
–1 MN, Redwood Falls, Jan 18. Exposure; apparently fell on street, couldn’t get up; Walter Otto, 60.
–1 MN, St. Paul, Jan 23. Found frozen to death in yard after night out drinking; Pauline Klein, 67.
–1 MS, Indianola, Jan 25. Exposure; frozen barefooted body found just inside home door; Alexander.
–1 MS, Leland, Jan 21-26. Exposure; became lost walking, fell, died of exposure; female, 75.
–1 MO, Hartville area, Jan 24/25. Exposure; body of “farm woman…found beside a rural road.”
–2 MO, Louisiana area, Jan 19/20 evening/morning. Exposure; man and woman after drinking.
–1 NE, Ainsworth, Jan 21 (body found). Apparent exposure in home; -26° when found; Fred Teleen, 72.
–1 NC, Asheville, Jan 24. Exposure, Buster Lytle, 48.
–2 NC, Duplin County, Jan 29. Exposure.
–1 NC, Henderson, Jan 24 or 25. Exposure; Mrs. Lewis Evans.
–3 NC, Nags Head area, Jan 24. “…disabled fishing vessel during some of the coldest weather in recent years.”
–1 ND, Grandville, Jan 24/25. Exposure after man fell on the steps leading to his home.
–1 ND, Tolley area, Jan 23. Car runs off road; man tries to walk to a farm; 22° temp; Neubeck.
–1 OH, Newark, Jan 25. “[F]roze to death after apparently collapsing.” Charles H. Collins, 77.
–1 OH, Sandusky, Jan 24. Apparent exposure; found frozen on sidewalk near home; Lyle P Schumacher, 47.
–1 OK, Colbert, Jan 26; Exposure; apparently slipped and fell after leaving car; Mrs. Jackie McConnell, 44.
–1 PA, Cherry Tree RD, Jan 26. Admitted to hosp. Jan 25 for exposure; no home heat; Benjamin Piper, 83.
–1 PA, Penn Hills district of Pittsburgh, ~Jan 23. Exposure (morgue report); unidentified man.
–1 PA, Philadelphia, Jan 24-25. Exposure in parking lot; man.
–1 PA, Pittsburgh/North Side section, Jan 24. Exposure; between two parked cars in lot; Stanley Wabal, 50.
–1 PA, Pittsburgh/Mt. Washington district, Jan 26 (body found). Exposure; John Deminsky, 62.
–1 TN, Chattanooga, Jan 29. Exposure; found in his backyard by neighbors; Millard Thurman Thompson, 46.
–1 TN, locale not noted, Jan 25 report. Hypothermia in “home warmed by a single gas heater.”
–1 TX, Austin area, Jan 24. Exposure; in home; parents said they couldn’t afford heat; Susan Revada, 6.
–1 TX, Cee Vee area, Jan 19. Exposure in 2° weather after car crash; Edward Dean McIntire, 19.
–1 TX, Cowtrap Swamp ~Freeport, Jan 27. Exposure; fisherman in stranded boat; J.H. Fortenberry, 53.
–1 TX, Pike, Jan 22. Exposure trying to walk seven miles; extremely cold weather; John W. Dillon, 60.
–1 TX, Snyder area, Jan 19. Exposure; walking from stalled truck to ranch-house; Novis Rodgers, ~50.
Fires/Burns (42)
–2 AL, Cordova, Jan 27. Weather-connected home fire; Kay Bankhead, 61, daughter, Katha, 4.
–1 AL, Mobile, Jan 27. Weather-connected apartment fire; Leo Jones, 42.
–2 AL, Tuscaloosa, Jan 26/27. Weather-connected home fire; Boonie Walker 2; sister, Cindy, 1.
–4 GA, Baldwin, Jan 24. Fire; family home.
–1 GA, Vidalia, Jan 24 or 25. School fire, child killed.
–3 IL, Morris, Jan 23. House fire; Carol, 15, Nancy, 12, and Kay Matteson, 9.
–1 IN, Connersville, Jan 20. Home fire; kitchen stove explosion; Mrs. Mary Jenkins, 62.
–3 IN, Gary, Jan 23. Apt. fire, oil heater explosion; Carrie McGee, 67, nieces 8 and 12.
–1 IN, Indianapolis, Jan 21. Home fire from overheated stove; Mrs. Ida LaMar, 81.
–2 IN, Lagrange, Jan 27. Home fire; over-heated coal stove; Slabaugh brothers, Roger Lee, 5, John 3.
–1 IN, Muncie, ~Jan 26. Fire believed started by attempt to thaw pipes. Thomas M. Young, 31.
–1 LA, Jonesboro, Jan 23. Frozen hydrant prevents fire-fighting; occupant killed.
–4 MO, East Prairie. Jan 27. Home fire caused by overheated stove; mother and three children.
–1 NY, Webster, Jan 24. Fire; “apparently started from a defective space heater in the…dwelling.”
–4 NC, Charlotte, Jan 24-25. Two house fires; Fire Chief says overheated furnaces contributed.
–1 NC, Rougemont, Jan 24 or 25. House fire; Patricia Ann Latta, 4.
–1 OH, Cleveland, Jan 24. House fire, woman burned to death.
–2 TX, Cameron, ~Jan 19. Burns when kerosene stove explodes; 21° weather.
–1 TX, Fort Worth, Jan 18. Fire “caused by a faulty heater.” Milton Wyle, 63.
–5 VA, Alberta; Jan 27. Home fire; “overheated stove or heater was blamed for…blaze…” Children.
–1 WI, Stoughton, Jan 27. Fire caused by blowtorch used to thaw frozen pipes; Sever Quale, 87.
Heart Attacks, primarily related to snow removal (64)
–1 IL, Bellville, ~Jan 24. Heart attack after shoveling snow at home; Dr. Ray J. Joseph, 76
–1 IN, Bloomington, Jan 24. Collapsed/died, apparent heart attack after shoveling snow; Mahler, 52.
–1 IN, Elkhart, Jan 29. Heart attack after shoveling snow at home; Floyd A. Klopfenstein, 67.
–1 IN, Evansville, Jan 25. Heart attack shoveling snow; Frederick Elmendorf, 62.
–1 IN, Evansville, Jan 25. Heart attack shoveling snow; William Graham, 62.
–1 IN, Evansville, Jan 25. Heart attack shoveling snow; Chris Schomburg, 74.
–1 IN, Greensburg, ~Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow at home; Bernie M. Hatfield, 60.
–1 IN, Indianapolis, Jan 29. Heart attack after shoveling snow at home; Forest R. Klepfer, 65.
–1 IN, La Porte, Jan 23. Heart attack from shoveling snow at his home; Robert Jackson, 50.
–1 IN, North Webster area, Jan 27. Heart attack after digging car out of snowbank; Bruce Mudemson, 67.
–1 IN, Rochester, Jan 24. “stricken while removing snow from an awning…” Harley Fultz, 77.
–1 IN, Roseland, Jan 28. Heart attack shoveling snow in -15° temp. at home; Adam Haid, 84.
–1 IN, Russiaville, Jan 23. “…collapsed and died…inside…after shoveling snow…” Jay Younkin, 66.
–1 IN, South Bend, Jan 23. Heart attack after going outside in subzero cold; Melvin R. Kaser, 58.
–1 IN, Valparaiso area, Jan 23. Heart attack walking for shelter after car stalled in -6° weather.
–1 IA, Cedar Rapids, Jan 19. Heart attack; removing snow with snowblower; Owen Thomas; 70.
–1 IA, Clarion, Jan 21. Heart attack shoveling snow in -23° temperature; N. E. Carter, 76.
–2 MA, locales not noted, Jan 27. “…overexertion from shoveling snow.”
–1 MI, Battle Creek area, Jan 24. Heart attack; clearing snow in jeep-type low; became stuck in snow.
–1 MI, Kalamazoo, Jan 21. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Roy O. West, 76.
–1 NE, Norfolk, Jan 22. Heart attack shoveling truck out of snowdrift; Raymond Daniel, 47.
–1 NE, Norfolk, Jan 22. Heart attack walking to meeting, -12°; Arthur C. Ward, 72.
–4 NJ, Jan 27. Apparent heart attacks “from shoveling snow.”
–1 NY, Elmira, Jan 24. Apparent heart attack; shoveling snow; Nicholas Popovitch, 31.
–8 NY, locals not noted, Jan 23-28. Heart attacks shoveling snow.
–1 NY, Oneonta, Jan 24. Apparent “heart attack induced by shoveling snow at his home.” J.K. Spirson, 59.
–3 NY, Rochester, Jan 23-24. Heart attacks shoveling snow; men.
–1 NY, Rochester, Jan 28. Heart attack shoveling snow.
–1 NY, Troy, Jan 28. Heart attack shoveling snow.
–1 OH, Cincinnati, Jan 25. Heart attack after shoveling snow; Joseph Plogman, 70.
–2 OH, Cincinnati, Jan 27. Heart attacks shoveling snow; males.
–7 OH, Cleveland area, Jan 23. Heart attacks shoveling snow at homes; elderly males.
–1 Cleveland, Jan 23. Heart attack shoveling snow, Peter Niewarsky, 61.
–2 OH, Cleveland, Jan 24. Heart attacks shoveling snow. (Presumably Cleveland.)
–1 OH, Cleveland, Jan 25. Heart attack shoveling snow.
–1 OH, Cleveland, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow.
–1 OH, Cleveland, Jan 27. Heart attack shoveling snow.
–1 OH, Willowick, Jan 23. Heart attack shoveling snow at home: Earl S. Bowen, 67.
–1 OH, locale not noted, Jan 23. Heart attack shoveling snow.
–1 PA, Baldwin Borough, Jan 23. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow; Mrs. Ann Olisher.
–1 VT, Hinesburg, Jan 30. Heart attack trying to shovel car out of snowbank; Lawrence Whitcher, 41.
–1 WI, Monroe, Jan 20. Heart attack shoveling snow at home; Laurence K. Wegner, 57.
–1 WI, Neillsville, Jan 18. Heart attack shoveling snow at home; John F. Bauer, about 70.
–1 WI, Wausau, Jan 22. Heart attack shoveling snow at home; Oscar J. Mueller, 69.
Vehicular/Road/Highway (includes sledding into cars) (90)
–1 AL, Florence, Jan 23. Car skids into another and then over embankment; George Schmidlkofer, 44.
–2 CO, Fort Collins area, ~Jan 18. Car skids into traffic on snow-packed street; mother and son.
–1 IL, Carmi/Crossville area, US 460, Jan 22. Bus drives into back of car; snowfall obscured car.
–1 IL, Freeburg area, US 460, Jan 21. Car goes into skid and hits truck; Donald A. Hundelt, 19.
–1 IL, Homewood area, Jan 25. Car skids on and hits trees; passenger Catherine Zohfield, 39.
–2 IL, Nashville area, Rt. 460, Jan 19. Cars collide when one slides on sleet-slick road.
–2 IN, Chandler area US 460, Jan 19. Car/truck collision; Donald Williams, 21/Mary Head, 20.
–1 IN, Fort Wayne, Jan 30. Car “skidded on a snow-covered road” into truck; Dorothea Steinbeck, 46.
–2 IN, Greenwood, Jan 20. Car “skidded out of control on icy Indiana 431…” Jerry Lee Roberts, 10.
–1 IN, Marion Co., west, Jan 20. Car leaves road; Mrs. Stella Colvin, 37, of Indianapolis.
–2 IN, Monticello area. Vehicular collision “blamed on a snow cloud kicked up by a big truck.”
–1 IN, Muncie area, Jan 19. Cars collide; Charles Retinger, 62, of Pittsburgh PA.
–1 IN, Muncie, Jan 28. Car wouldn’t start; when jumper cables started car it moved, pinning victim.
–1 IN, Oldenburg, Jan 20. Injuries from Jan 20; car “skidded over an embankment…” John Fields, 53.
–2 IN, Richmond, Jan 20. Car crashed into tree. Dayton Rockhill, 17/Carolyn Bergfield, 16.
–1 IN, Schererville, Jan 21. Cars collide “on an icy U.S. 47 overpass…” Mrs. Mary Ann Dargis, 36.
–2 IN, Washington/Wheatland area, US 421, Jan 19. Cars collide; Lawrence Lucas, 44; Rose E. Hopkins, 30.
–1 IN, Waveland, Jan 21. Car “skidded on slippery Ind. 47” over embankment; Paula Jo Pollock, 21.
–2 IN, Wolcott area, Jan 24. 3-car pile-up “on snow-covered Indiana 53 in White County.”
–1 IA, Pella area, Jan 23. Stops car due to blowing snow, gets out, hit by another car; John J. Chuck, 39.
–1 IA, Sigourney area, Jan 19. Car hits truck clearing snow from hwy. 149; Lindsey Wyllie, 49.
–1 KY, Robinson Creek area, Pike Co., Jan 29. Truck skids on icy road; George Tackett, ~50.
–1 ME, locale not noted, Jan 27. Auto accident; skidding on icy road, woman.
–3 MA, locales not noted. Jan 18. Vehicular skidding accidents.
–1 MA, Somerset, Jan 27. Skidding car hits and kills man.
–2 MI, Charlevoix, US 31N, Jan 21. Car drives into back of truck; icy road; poor visibility.”
–1 MI, Kalamazoo area, I-94, Jan 24. Man helping stranded motorist push car hit by truck.
–2 MI, Kent City area, Jan 21. Three-car collision attributed to blinding snow and ice-slick hwy.
–1 MI, Pontiac area, MI 59, Jan 20. Driver slides out of control into path of another car.
–1 MI, South Haven area, Jan 20. Man attaching chain to stalled car hit by car in blinding snow.
–1 MI, Southfield, Jan 21. Man changing flat tire hit by snowplow; Irving Sherman, 38.
–3 MN. Crow Wing Lake area, Jan 21. Crash or exposure; car skids off road and into ditch.
–1 MN, Fountain City, Jan 28. Car skids on snow-patch, down hill into tree; Frank Schmidlknecht, 80.
–1 MO, Frisco, Jan 20. Car slides on slippery grade crossing into a stop in front of train; R. Williams.
–2 MO, Hartwell area, Jan 19. Cars collide headon in snowstorm; Cornelia & Earl Wooley, 66.
–2 MT, Arlee area, Jan 24. Car/truck collide in snowstorm; James D. Knicely, 35, wife Donna, 34.
–1 MT, Missoula, Jan 20. Cars slide into collision on icy road; Daniel Elija Maerz, four-months.
–1 NH, Greenland, Jan 18. Car skids and collides with pole on slick road; Victor L. Jackson, 22.
–1 NY, Hornell area, Jan 24. Cars collide “on snow-slick Rt. 21” south of Hornell; Marion Rose, 40.
–1 NY, Ira, Brandt Rd., Jan 24. Trucks collide in “blowing snowstorm…” Clarence Dunham, 30.
–1 NY, Maybrook by Jan 22. Traffic “accident caused by blowing snow.” Joseph D. Punaro.
–1 NY, Port Kent, Jan 28. Man preparing to shovel driveway snow, hit by passing coal truck.
–1 NY, Wellsville area, Jan 25. Autos collide “on an icy road…” Ms. Delores Allen, 39.
–2 NC, Concord area, Jan 26. Autos collide; Mrs. Cora Lambert Talbert, 46; Mrs. Annie Bell Rowland, 42.
–1 NC, Greensboro area, Jan 24/25. Patrol car wrecks; “road made hazardous by the weather.”
–1 NC, Rowan County, Jan 25. Automobile accident; Alvin Swayne Moss.
–1 OH, Dayton, Jan 23. Boy, 12, hit by truck pushing stalled cars.
–2 OH, locales not noted, Jan 27. “…accidents on icy highways.”
–1 OK, Tulsa Co., Jan 19. Car on snow glazed road crashes into bridge; Virgil Jackie Reynolds, 20.
–1 OR, a northern county, Jan 30. Freezing rain and traffic fatality.
–1 PA, Belle Vernon, US 70S, Jan 23. Truck skidded on snow-covered road off bridge; Richard C. Lane, 62.
–1 PA, Harrisburg, Jan 23. Man walking along hwy. in snowfall, hit by car; Clyde Fetzer, 79.
–1 PA, Lebanon, Jan 27. Road grader skids; throws driver under the blade; Silva Lacroix, 54.
–2 PA, New Castle, Jan 27. Truck “skidded on a snow-covered hill and rammed into a pole.”
–1 PA, Philadelphia, Jan 27. Crash after car hits median strip hidden by snow; Charles Wolverton, 50.
–1 PA, Selinsgrove, Jan 19. Car falls on man while putting on snow tire chains; Herman Mengle, 69.
–1 PA, Washington, Jan 27. Car skids on snow into another; passenger Bernd Guckert, 22.
–1 PA, Waynesboro, Jan 26. Truck hits concrete side of bridge in snowfall; Crawford C. Barnhart, 37.
–1 PA, Windber area, Jan 23. Two-car collision, icy road; Sandy Olszewski, 19, from Portage.
–1 SC, Lancaster or Kershaw county, Jan 26. Freezing rain and ice; automobile accident.
–1 TN, Nashville area, US 41, Jan 23 or 24. Headon collision; icy/snowy road; Edward Wiser, 23.
–1 TN, Nashville, Jan 26. Sledding accident (in front of car); Richard Sprofkin, 11.
–1 TN, Old Hickory, Jan 26. Car skids down icy grade into milk truck; Mrs. Clayton Doly, 53.
–1 TN, locale not noted, by Jan 26. Weather-connected traffic fatality.[229]
–2 TX, Bryan area, Hwy. 21, Jan 18. Cars collide in fog and drizzle preceding cold front; Dean.
–1 TX, Haskell area, Jan 27. Car crash injuries and exposure, 12° weather; John Catana, 29.
–1 TX, Uvalde area, Jan 20. Car overturns “on icy highway 12 miles west…” Marvin L. Latimer, 19.
–1 TX, locale not noted, traffic by Jan 20. “The weather was a factor in at least four highway deaths.”
–1 WA, Seattle, Jan 26. Car slides on icy street into utility pole; Harold Thomas Ballard, 32.
–1 WI, Oshkosh area, Jan 20. Car hits drift, goes off-road onto RR tracks in blowing snow; hit by train.
Other (Drownings, Falls, Plane Crashes, Snowslide, unclear.) (17)
–2 LA, Lake Gauche, Jan 23. Drownings; boat overturned in high wind.
–1 ME, Augusta, Jan 19. Man slips and falls from snow covered roof; Albert Cote, 34.
–7 ME, Elephant Mountain, Jan 24. B-52 crash due to air turbulence and structural failure.
–1 MD, Baltimore, Jan 25. Frozen body found in garage; apparently had been working or car.[230]
–1 MT, Liberty County, Jan 20. Snowslide near rural home; Dean Woods, 12.
–1 OK, Enid, Spring Park Lake, Jan 21. Drowning after falling through ice; Robert L. Owens, 8.
–1 PA, Feasterville, Jan 24. Fall while sweeping snow from sidewalk; Mrs. Mary Scull, 84.
–1 TX, Cleburne, ~Jan 19. Switchman slips and falls to death under train in snowstorm.
–2 TX, El Paso, Jan 19. Small plane crash; airport approach in snowstorm; Tucker and Domb.
Narrative Information
General
O’Connor: “January 1963 was memorable for the extreme severity of the cold weather which simultaneously gripped North America, Europe, and the Far East…. [p. 209]
First Cold Outbreak [Jan 9-16/17][231]
Second Cold Outbreak [Jan 18-21]
“This outbreak drove temperatures in Montana far below normal again on the 18th, reaching 38° F. below normal at Billings.
“On the 19th, record cold spread from Salt Lake City, Utah, with a temperature of -15° F., as far south as western Texas, where temperatures were 33° F. below normal at Amarillo.
“By the 20th, record cold stretched from California, where Bakersfield reported the lowest temperature in 26 years of record, throughout the Southwest as far east as Texas, where Houston reported a record 24b F. below normal. Meanwhile, parts of the east coast warmed to 17° F. above normal with a record 84° F. at Daytona Beach, Fla.
“On the 20th the Arctic air in the Upper Mississippi Valley was again reinforced in the wake of a rapidly deepening storm, and record minima occurred there again on the 21st.
“This outbreak spread to the east coast on the 22d, while another intense High was plunging southward in western Canada.
Third Cold Outbreak [Jan 22-24]
“The third cold outbreak, and the most severe in the East, entered Montana on the 22d with temperatures 34° F. below normal at Great Falls…
“With great speed the Arctic air overspread most of the country east of the Continental Divide on the 23d and 24th, in the wake of the second blizzard to sweep the Great Lakes region.
“On the 23d record temperatures occurred eastward from the Continental Divide to the Appalachians and southward from Lake Superior to the Mississippi delta, with the lowest about 36 F. below normal near Chicago…
“On the 24th, the strong High helped break previous temperature records for the date from Texas to the Atlantic Coast. All-time record lows were established at a number of cities in the Ohio and
Tennessee Valleys, as temperatures averaged over 39° F. below normal over almost the entire area. At Lexington, Ky…an all-time record low temperature of -21°F. was recorded, with average temperature for the day of 44° F. below normal.
Fourth Cold Outbreak [Jan 25-28]
On the 25th, the fourth surge of severe cold entered Montana, while intense cold still gripped the East with record low temperatures in many places.
“Cold air stretched from coast to coast on the 26th; the temperature was as much as 32° F. below normal at Valentine, Nebr.
“On the 27th the extreme cold dominated the Central Plains and Mississippi Valley as a blizzard swept the Northeast with heavy snow and strong winds. It also produced record temperatures in its wake including -15°F. at Evansville, Ind., as the Arctic anticyclone advanced into eastern Oklahoma.
“On the 28th, the record cold spread eastward to the Appalachians. Louisville, Ky. had a temperature of -15° F. as the associated Arctic High intensified to more than 1040 mb. in the Ohio Valley.
The Fifth Outbreak [Jan 29-31]
“On the 29th the last outbreak of this record cold spell again brought temperatures as much as 34° F. below normal to Montana, while in the Southwest the first substantial warming of the month occurred. Record low temperatures from the previous outbreak were common in the eastern States on this date.
“Severe cold continued on the 30th in the northern Rockies while also spreading eastward again into the Mississippi Valley. In the Southwest, temperatures continued as much as 18° F. higher than normal from Nevada to New Mexico.
“On the closing day of the month the last cold surge spread across the Ohio Valley into the Northeast. At the same time warm air from the southern Rockies spread northeastward into Wyoming, where temperatures rose to 22° F. above normal at Casper, the first substantial warming since early in the month.” (O’Connor, James F. “The Weather and Circulation of January 1963,” Monthly Weather Review, April 1963, pp. 216-217.)
Newspapers, Chronological:
Jan 18: “A snowstorm and subzero cold swept into Montana and across northern Midwest regions today, duplicating the severe weather pattern of a week ago. The fresh surge of arctic air came after only a brief respite from nearly a week of frigid weather in most of the Midwest. Blizzard conditions hit areas in Montana. Strong northerly winds intensified the cold and caused much drifting of snow in some sections. The blowing snow halted traffic on highways in much of central and southeastern Montana. Amounts measured a half-foot in western mountain sections. Temperatures which climbed barely above zero in nearly a week in some northern Midwest areas dropped sharply as the new mass of icy air swept across the Dakotas into Minnesota and northern Nebraska.
“Much colder weather was in prospect for much of the mid-continent, with the zero zone extending from the northern Rockies southeastward into northern Texas and eastward across the upper Great Lakes and Mississippi Valley. The mercury dropped nearly 15 degrees in a few hours in International Falls, Minn., as the arctic air fanned across the Canadian border. It reached nearly 30 below zero. Readings were near 20 below in much of North Dakota while subzero cold covered most of Montana. Blowing snow created hazardous driving conditions in western Nebraska and South Dakota and northwest across Montana. Snow also fell in most of Upper Michigan and Wisconsin southward across extreme northern Illinois and northeastern Iowa. Only other cold area was northern Maine, with temperatures near zero….” (AP. “Blizzard, Arctic Cold Sweep Montana, Midwest Regions.” Oswego Palladium-Times, NY, 1-18-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 19: “A near blizzard and subzero cold hit widespread areas of the Mid-continent today and the arctic invasion threatened to develop into a new crop killing cold wave. The mercury plunged to -44 degrees in parts of Montana and to -42 in Minnesota. Below zero cold covered the northern Rockies and northern Plains and extended southward across most of Kansas and Iowa. The U.S. Weather Bureau in Chicago said freezing weather was expected to invade the fruit and vegetable areas of the Rio Grande Valley and the normally warm valleys of southern Arizona and California during the next few days. A cold wave that hit these crop producing areas a week ago caused damage running into the millions of dollars and resulted in higher prices for winter vegetables and citrus fruits. The leading edge of the new surge of freezing cold moved into Texas and California at dawn today. In Lubbock, Tex., the temperature shriveled from a mild 54 late Friday [18th] to 2 above early today.
“Snow fell over much of the mid-continent from New Mexico to the western Great Lakes and near blizzard conditions were forecast for an area from northern Texas and eastern New Mexico to Iowa and Missouri. Dense fog blanketed areas in the…east, disrupting travel…fog temporarily closed Washington’s National Airport and Friendship International Airport at Baltimore.
“Three prisoners suffocated Friday night from fumes from a faulty liquid gas heater in the Costilla County jail at San Luis, Colo. The heat had been burning throughout the day because of near-zero temperatures.
“Low temperatures included Butte, Mont., -44; Hibbing, Minn., -42; Akron, Colo., -13; Marquette, Mich., -11; Goodland, Kan. -12.
“In northwestern Kansas, 30-mile-an-hour winds cut visibility to a half-mile in swirling snow. Many rural schools were closed and highways were hazardous. Temperatures dropped steadily from a high of 25 degrees Friday morning to near zero Saturday.
“Below zero temperatures and blowing snow in the Texas Panhandle brought a blizzard warning and weather observers feared a storm as severe as the one which struck the area a week ago. Dalhart in the upper Panhandle reported -4. Glaze warnings were in effect for much of north central and northeastern Texas.
“Below zero temperatures were reported all over Nebraska and in parts of Montana and Colorado. The coldest reported was 41 in Butte, Mont, followed closely by Bozeman with -37. Many points reported -20 or colder through Montana, North Dakota, northern South Dakota and northern Minnesota. International Falls, Minn., was -36. In Colorado, Akron reported -13 and Denver -11.
“Light snow fell in the northern Arizona mountains and was expected to spread to the eastern portion. Nebraska reported 5-7 inches of snow in the western portions….A snow belt stretched from the central Plains eastward into the central Mississippi Valley, southward into northern Texas and New Mexico and westward into the central Rockies….” (Oswego Palladium-Times, NY. “Plains States Socked As Storm Heads East.” 1-19-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 21: “Winter’s brand of rough weather–numbing cold, snow and freezing rain–extended across vast sections of the nation today, a repeat of last week’s miserable climatic conditions. Frigid weather held tight across the nation’s midsection. Temperatures dropped to more than 30 degrees below zero in northern areas. It was near zero southward into sections of Kentucky and eastward to the Ohio Valley. Freezing weather extended into Texas, with warnings of a hard freeze in southern sections and through the lower Mississippi Valley into parts of Alabama and Georgia. The cold weather threatened citrus groves in the…lower Rio Grande Valley.
“Southern California again braced fore more freezing weather–the ninth straight day of a cold wave that has caused more than $3 million damage to citrus, vegetable and flower crops. The mercury dropped to 41 in Los Angeles Sunday but freezing readings–as low as 12–chilled outlying areas.
“A wind-lashed snowstorm off Lake Erie battered broad areas of western New York State Sunday night. Wind gusts up to 50 m.p.h. whipped the snow into blinding clouds, causing heavy drifting and cutting visibility to zero. Nearly all traffic on more than 100 miles of the New York Thruway was halted for several hours but later some traffic was permitted between Rochester and Buffalo. The storm closed many roads throughout the area.
“Freezing drizzle slicked highways in Houston and San Antonio, Tex. A glaze of ice covered sections of northern Alabama. Rain changed to sleet or snow over much of Louisiana and Mississippi, creating hazardous driving conditions. More snow fell in the snow-covered sections of the Midwest and into the Ohio Valley and sections of Pennsylvania.
“At least 15 weather-related deaths were reported from exposure, fires, and traffic accidents on icy and snow covered highways….” (AP. “Winter Weather Covers Nation.” Daily Times, Burlington, NC, 1-21-1963, pp. 1 and 3A.)
Jan 22: “A fresh snowstorm swept across areas from the Rockies eastward into the Midwest today and a new surge of cold air spread into the East and deep into the Southland. Subzero temperatures clung to much of the northern Midwest, with no general, immediate relief indicated in the prolonged cold wave. The new mass of arctic air which invaded the Northeast dropped temperatures below zero in northern Maine and western New York State.
“Freezing weather chilled areas in northern Florida and much of the Southeast. Miami shivered as the mercury dropped into the 40s. There were sharp drops in temperatures throughout the East.
“Blizzard warnings were posted for west and central South Dakota and the lowlands of Montana. Snow fell across sections from the northern Plains, the upper Mississippi Valley and the Great Lakes region into the Ohio Valley. The amounts ranged from one to three inches. Cold wave warnings were issued for all parts of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri and northern Texas. The cold air from Canada spread southward east of the Continental Divide in Montana and Wyoming and covered most of the Dakotas and Nebraska. The arctic air was expected to spread southward across the Plains states and cover most of the nation’s midsection. Temperatures were expected to drop to more than 30 below zero along the central Canadian border and to below zero in Kansas and Colorado. Although temperatures moderated a little in the Midwest cold belt, subzero marks again were reported in the northern Plains and northern sections of the Midwest. They ranged from zero to more than 20 degrees below in International Falls, Minn., on the Canadian border.
“In western New York the mercury dropped to -10 in Sinclairville, -8 in Cassadaga and -6 in Mayville. Readings edged near the zero mark in many other northern and western sections. New York reported 12 above, the same as in Philadelphia and Boston. In Maine, it was -9 in Old Town, with readings near zero in other parts of New England. The mercury was in the low teens in Kentucky and Tennessee, near 20 in extreme northern Georgia and freezing into northern Florida, with 29 reported in Tallahassee. It was 14 in Asheville, N.C., 30 in New Orleans and 46 in Miami.” (AP. “New Storm Moves Into Midwest,” Daily Times, Burlington, NC, 1-22-1963, 1.)
Jan 23: “Frigid miserable weather enveloped vast sections in the eastern two-thirds of the nation today in a relentless attack by winter’s elements. The arctic air which has held a tight grip on the Midwest for two weeks blustered eastward into the Atlantic Coast and deep into the Southland. The mercury dropped to two below zero in Atlanta this morning, the first subzero reading in the Georgia city this century. The lowest mark on record was 8.5 below on Feb. 13, 1899 and the previous low since 1900 was zero in 1924.
“Biting winds, snow, sleet, rain and other cold miseries caused widespread inconveniences and hazards. Subzero readings clung to most of the Midwest. Not much relief was in sight immediately.
“The rough weather was blamed for scores of deaths–by exposure, in fires and in traffic accidents on icy and snow-slicked highways. Countless hundreds were treated for frostbite as temperatures in many areas dropped to the lowest levels in many years. Some marks were near the minimums of this century.
“Thousands of schools in the South and Midwest were closed. Some factories and business firms shut down to conserve heating gas. There were monumental traffic jams in scores of cities. Trains, buses and planes were slowed. Stalled autos, frozen water pipes and faulty furnaces were among the multitude of other cold weather discomforts.
“Temperatures dropped sharply throughout the South and East as the arctic air, riding along on stiff winds, whipped across the nation’s snow-covered midlands. The icy weather landed piercing blows across Dixie. The mercury plunged to 21 below zero in Bowling Green, Ky, and was below zero in parts of Tennessee and North Carolina.
“Thermometers hit two below in Atlanta, Ga., and edged to near zero in other northern sections of Georgia. Texas and Alabama, Northern Florida and southern Texas shivered in freezing weather. It was 26 in Tallahassee, Fla., and 27 in McAllen, Tex., in the lower Rio Grande Valley. Freezing marks may chill southern Florida Friday [Jan 25].
“Snow fell in northern parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and South West Virginia.” (Assoc. Press. “Most of Nation Locked in Freeze.” Lake Charles American Press, LA, 1-24-1963, p. 3.)
Jan 24-25: “Schools closed, industries shut down and roads were blocked by drifting snow across the eastern half of the nation today [Jan 25] in the wake of one of the century’s most bitter cold waves. The death toll from the six-day siege[232] of polar air climbed to 160. Despite a slight break in the cold wave, much of the nation shivered in sub-zero temperatures early today. The mercury plunged below freezing across the southland. The temperature dropped to 16 below at Minneapolis, Minn., early today and fell to 13 above at Atlanta, Ga.
“Crop losses from Thursday’s [Jan 24] cold wave were estimated at millions of dollars in Alabama. Agriculture Commissioner A. W. Todd said the broiler industry suffered $3 million losses and the state’s livestock industry also was hit hard. Upper air currents helped ward off extensive damage to Florida’s already hard hit citrus crop. In the Rio Grande Valley, citrus and vegetable growers girded for another hard freeze but many expressed hope that earlier freezes have caused citrus trees to become dormant and withstand the cold.
“Abandoned automobiles lined the roads from Michigan to New York and hundreds of rural families were marooned. About half the schools in Tennessee remained closed today, as did schools in western New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. The bitter cold caused gas companies to cut back in deliveries, commuters to be delayed and industries to shut down from southern Illinois to New England and across the south. Two natural gas companies in Detroit Thursday reported all-time record distribution but Pennsylvania companies cut back on the gas deliveries to industrial customers to better service homes.
“At Cairo, Ill., where the Mississippi and Ohio rivers meet, a 12 mile Mississippi ice jam tied up 275 barges. Rivermen said the jam was getting worse as the mercury hovered near zero. Icing conditions also were said to be developing dangerously on the Ohio River….” (UPI. “Eastern Half of U.S. Reels From Storm.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY, 1-25-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 25: “A brutal cold wave which knifed into the southland bringing death and crop damage totaling millions of dollars gave way to a warming trend today….Temperatures remained below freezing over much of Dixie today but the frigid air was markedly more bearable than Thursdays [25th] lows which plunged to an almost incredible 30 below at Kingston Springs in middle Tennessee. At least 18 deaths in Southern states were attributed to the cold wave. A family of four burned to death in a house fire at Baldwin, Ga., Thursday night. Two elderly men burned to death when their house at Charlotte, N.C. burned. A child died in a school fire at Vidalia, Ga.
“A wind shift from the Northeast bringing in warm air from the Gulfstream to warm the Southeast Florida coastal areas crops in the Miami area.
“About half of the schools in Tennessee, one of the hardest hit states, remained closed today. The Tennessee Highway Patrol said hazardous driving warnings were still in effect and highways are ‘very slick in spots.’
“A leak in a gas main left thousands without heat yesterday in Montgomery, Ala. Declining supplies of natural gas at Huntsville, Ala., prompted Mayor R. B. Searcy to declare a ‘state of emergency.’ Searcy appealed to businesses and industries to close in order to conserve gas supplies.
“Montgomery County in Virginia was hit by a power failure as a result of a frozen breaker circuit….
“Schools closed, industries shut down and roads were blocked by drifting snow across the eastern half of the nation today in the wake of one of the century’s most bitter cold waves.
“The national death toll from the six-day siege of polar air climbed to 160.
“Despite a slight break in the cold wave, much of the nation shivered in sub-zero temperatures early today. The mercury plunged below freezing across the southland.
“The temperature dropped to 16 below at Minneapolis, Minn., early today and fell to 13 above at Atlanta, Ga. Blizzards socked western New York state during the night. Along the Lake Michigan shore in western Michigan high winds piled snow over highways and the weather bureau said ‘near blizzard conditions’ prevailed. Abandoned automobiles lined the roads from Michigan to New York and hundreds of rural families were marooned.” (UPI. “Brutal Cold Wave Gives Way to Warming Trend.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-25-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 26: “The eight-day killer freeze finally broke today, but moderating temperatures created fresh snow storms from the Rockies to New York state. More than 200 deaths were attributed to the bitter, record-setting cold since last weekend.
“Despite the break in temperatures, the weather bureau in Washington warned that relief was only temporary, and that the current cold wave, churned by an abnormal circulation of air over the northern hemisphere, would regain its strength.
“Hazardous driving warnings were posted for southern Illinois, where three inches of new snow was expected; eastern Oklahoma and Arkansas, where roads were glazed by freezing drizzle, and parts of Tennessee and Indiana. Freezing drizzle caused hazardous driving conditions in Alabama, Georgia and Eastern and southern Missouri. Snow, whipped into high drifts by strong winds, fell over the central and northern Rocky Mountains. The cold spell set all-time low temperatures throughout the Ohio Valley and in parts of the Mid-west.
“A new snow storm piled a fresh layer of white on Watertown, N.Y., already buried under 54 inches of snow. The Jefferson County board of supervisors declared a state of emergency in the fight against ‘the snowstorm of the century’.” (UPI. “Killer Freeze Finally Ends, 200 Are Dead.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY, 1-26-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 28: “A heavy snow storm swung through New York state today, leaving up to 70 inches of snow in its tracks and creating emergency conditions. Elsewhere, much of the nation was an icebox. It was below freezing from Atlanta, Ga., to Dallas, Tex. Chicago’s Midway Airport registered 12 below to break the 1885 low for below, the coldest since 1933….
“At least 260 persons were dead in weather-related mishaps since the record-breaking cold and snow, the worst of the century in some respects, first struck 10 days ago. Indiana counted 46 persons dead and Illinois 25. There were 22 deaths each in New England and Ohio, 19 in Michigan and 16 in Texas. Minnesota counted 11, New York and Wisconsin 10 each, Pennsylvania and Georgia 9 each, Oklahoma 8, Kentucky 7, Missouri and Iowa 6 each, Alabama and New Jersey 4.” (UPI. “New Storm Blankets Northeast.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 29: “Temperatures dropped far below zero in the Ohio valley and snow-clogged northeast again today. Light snow drifted eastward from the Rockies. The death toll from the 11-day siege of bitter cold and heavy snow edged above the 300 mark.
“Furnaces resumed operation and life returned to near normal at Sedalia, Mo., today with restoration of gas service. The town’s 25,000 residents had shivered through zero temperatures sine Sunday without heat.
“Mississippi river traffic from St. Louis to Cairo, Ill., was at a standstill today as an ice jam, described as the worst in 13 years, choked off industrial shipments. The ice jam is nearly 50 miles long north from Cairo.
“The mercury fell to 10 below today at Pittsburgh, shattering a 36-year-old record low for Jan. 29. Other low temperature records for this date were set at Philadelphia, Pa. with 5 below; Columbus, Ohio, with 13 below; and Fort Wayne, Ind., with 10 below. The lowest temperatures reported today were 25 below at Phillipsburg, Pa., and 22 below at Cut Bank, Mont., Grand Forks, N.D., and Glens Falls, N.Y….Ohio, staggered by minus 30 temperature readings yesterday, recorded more sub-zero readings today. The Ohio river was almost covered by ice 3 to 4 inches thick….Elmira, N.Y., recorded a low of 18 below early today. Snow-bogged Watertown, N.Y., saw its 70-inch snow cover reduced to 57 inches because of settling….
“United Press International counted 302 deaths attributed to the weather. Indiana led the nation with 48 deaths, followed by Illinois and Ohio with 31 each and New England with 29. Michigan reported 19 deaths, Texas 16 and Minnesota 15.” (UPI. “Death Toll from Nation’s Cold Siege Tops 300.” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI, 1-29-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 30: “One of the most vigorous winters of the century showed some hopeful signs of exhaustion Tuesday [Jan 29]. A new surge of arctic air pushed southward into the Rockies and Great Plains, but it lacked the sting and endurance of earlier polar outbreaks. And daytime temperatures moderated in parts of the Midwest, East, and South. Low temperatures in many parts of Wisconsin were above zero for the first time in more than two weeks.
“For the first time this month a low-pressure storm area approached northern California from the Pacific Ocean. These storm centers have entered the United States from northwestern Canada during the marathon siege of arctic air. The Pacific storm brought the first good snowfall in more than 40 days to mountain peaks of northern California…
“…parts of the East were numbed by record cold that moved in from the Midwest. Titusville in northwestern Pennsylvania had an early morning low of -30, and Norfolk in north-western Connecticut recorded -25, Uniontown, Pa., registered an all-time low of -14. The -20 at Elkins, W.Va., was the lowest January reading ever recorded. Pittsburgh had a record low for the date of -10, and Philadelphia a record -5. Parts of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana had subzero readings for the second straight day, but they were higher than the previous day’s marks of -30 or lower.
“A cold wave hit parts of Montana on the heels of a blizzard that closed schools in Missoula Monday for the first time since 1953. However, the storm abated Tuesday, and snowfall in the Rockies generally was light. The mercury shriveled to -25 degrees in Missoula but then started climbing and was expected to reach 10 above by Wednesday afternoon. Overnight low readings were not expected to dip below -20 in northern Minnesota or -15 in northern Montana–the gateways for the polar surges from north-western Canada.
“The southern edge of the country’s subzero belt early Tuesday stretched from New England to northern Virginia and through Kentucky and Missouri into Wyoming and northeastern Washington. The prolonged siege of cold crippled inland water transportation. All traffic on the Ohio River reached a virtual standstill, with stationary ice extending 221 miles below Pittsburgh. Ice jams swelled and multiplied for 50 miles along the Mississippi River near Cairo, Ill., where it joins the Ohio River. The upper Chesapeake Bay north of Baltimore was covered with 8 inches of ice. Navigation was closed to all but large vessels with storing [strong?] hulls.
“Snow storms and cold the past week have been blamed for 187 weather-related deaths across the country. The deaths were caused by exposure, asphyxiation, overexertion in snow, fires, and accidents on slick highways.” (Associated Press. “U.S. Plains, South and E. Europe Struck.” Republican-Courier, Findlay, OH, 1-30-1963, p. 1.)
Alabama
Jan 23-25: “Statewide. Jan 23-25…Cold Wave. Severe freeze over all of the State with subzero temperatures over portion of North Alabama and less than 10° in the extreme south. Extensive damage to winter grazing, truck crops, fruit trees and to poultry interests. Some glazing in North Alabama. Extensive damage to highways.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, 5/1, Jan 1963, p. 2.)
Jan 24: “A bitter cold wave brought the coldest weather on official record of this century today, and sent the mercury plunging to 14 degrees below zero on Cheaha Mountain. Here in Anniston, the official low reading was 1 degree below zero but unofficial thermometers hit 3 and 4 or more below the zero point. And little relief is expected. The temperature is expected to sink back toward the zero mark tonight with clear skies and the prospects of slightly warmer temperatures Friday.
“The bone-chilling weather contributed to two deaths. At Florence, 44-year-old George Schmidlkofer was killed when his car skidded and slammed into another vehicle and both went over an embankment. In Birmingham, 14-year-old Jerome Howard suffocated while sleeping in a room where a charcoal-burning heater used up all the oxygen.
“Cheaha Mountain’s unofficial low of -14 was the lowest in Alabama but it wasn’t much better elsewhere. Mobile’s low was only 8 degrees….State Agriculture Commissioner…said the severe weather…may cost several million dollars in damage to Alabama crops and livestock….
“Calhoun County schools closed shortly after noon Wednesday, as the freeze moved in. However, the schools reopened this morning. City schools have remained open….” (Anniston Star, AL. “City, Alabama Shiver as Cold Records Fall.” 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 23-25: “A chilling 5 degrees below zero was recorded by the official U.S. Weather Observer at St. Bernard for Wednesday night [Jan 23] and more of the same was predicted for last night. While the mercury climbed to an unofficial high of 18 degrees here yesterday, it was expected to possibly dip lower than five degrees below last night. The cooling temperatures forced county schools to close today. The weatherman yesterday afternoon was predicting a heat wave of as much as 23 degrees above here today, but no real relief from the severe cold is expected before Sunday.” (Cullman Times, AL. “Brrrrrr 5 Below Here.” 1-25-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 25-26: “Another cold wave was reportedly heading in the direction of North Alabama last night, according to Huntsville and Birmingham Weather Bureaus. The forecast for this area reads this way: cloudy and cool today with an occasional rain, turning colder tonight with sleet and freezing rain. Outlook for Sunday is much colder. The high temperature expected today is 40 degrees.
“A bright sun was seen over most of the state and area Friday [25th] as Alabamians enjoyed a slight thaw in the present cold spell. In connection with the warmer weather Friday, Huntsville ended an emergency which began Thursday because of declining supplies of natural gas used for heating. Mayor R. B. Search said the crisis was over and business and industries returned to a normal schedule. Gas service had been curtailed to some businesses the previous day.” (AP. “U.S. Relief Fails to Halt Death Toll.” Decatur Daily, AL, 1-26-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 27: “A mass of cold air is due in Alabama and the rest of the Southland today, giving thermometers their second plunge in a week of drastic temperature changes. Temperatures in North Alabama, mostly above freezing Saturday are expected to range from just above the freezing point today [27th] into the teens tonight. The U.S. Weather Bureau predicted a high here today right on top of the freezing mark, 32 degrees, to be followed tonight by a 16-point drop. Skies are to be cloudy today, clearing tonight as the weather becomes colder during the afternoon and evening. No snow is forecast, though the weather bureau says some freezing rain is likely ….” (Anniston Star, AL. “New Freeze Slated as Winter Offers More Cold Again.” 1-27-1963, 1.)
Jan 27-28: “Temporary relief from the extreme cold is promised for today and Tuesday. However, the weatherman has warned that another mass of cold air is likely to hit the county by Wednesday. As predicted last Saturday, the cold spell of the past week or so vigorously asserted itself again Sunday [27th] with penetrating icy winds which kept the high for the day from passing the 39 mark. Last night…the mercury dropped to 12. Today will be sunny and cool with cloudiness increasing this afternoon, making tonight partly cloudy and not quite as cold with a low of 23. The high today was predicted at 37 and the high on Tuesday 43 as cloudy skies continue with possibly occasional rain. Following these two days of relatively mild weather, Alabamians will be faced with more shivering as the cold air plunges southward on Wednesday. At least 10 lives have been claimed during the past nine days due to the cold….Gov. George C. Wallace has urged U.S. Agriculture Secretary Orville Freeman to declare Alabama a farm disaster area.” (Anniston Star, AL. “Relief is Due Icy Residents.” 1-28-1963, 1.)
Georgia
Jan 23-25: “Statewide…Cold wave. A record breaking cold wave held sway over Georgia from the 23rd-25th, highlighting a month of persistently cold weather. Many stations in the north and western parts of the State recorded their lowest temperature of the 20th Century and the lowest ever in January. Damaged were water pipes, automotive equipment, shrubbery, small grains and fruit buds and trees.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 3.)
Jan 29-30: “Northern Counties…Ice storm. Freezing rain and drizzle caused light icing over most of the northern third of State, resulting in a rash of automobile accidents. A number of minor injuries resulted from fall on icy walks. Schools were closed in several counties. Damage was relatively light. Ice lasted only a few hours under rising temperatures.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 3.)
Illinois
Jan 19: “Snow accumulated today over much of Illinois while cold persisted after temperatures in the north portion reached lows in the zero range during early morning. The weather bureau issued a warning to Illinois motorists of hazardous driving conditions with heavy snow likely tonight. Depths of up to 3 or 4 inches of feathery snow caused slick packing on highway pavements and resulting skid hazards for motorists in many areas. In southern Illinois some glaze from freezing rain had the same effect.
“Snowfall turned extremely heavy in mid morning at O’Hare International Airport…Mostly the snow fell in light quantity, with very little noted in some mid state localities.
“Rockford had a minimum temperature of 1 below zero, and it was zero at Moline early today. Peoria’s low was 4 above, Quincy 5 above and Springfield 9 above. Vandalia’s lowest mark was 19. Low marks tonight were expected to range from 10 to 15 degrees.” (AP. “Illinois Has Snow, Cold: Roads Slick.” Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL, 1-19-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 21: “Temperatures plunged to record depths far below zero in Illinois today and Dixon registered its two coldest days of the winter. It was 15 below zero here Sunday [20th] and the mercury shrank to 18 below zero here this morning. CalPak at Rochelle had a minus 24 early today and it was still minus 19 at 8 a.m. The forecast for tonight was more misery in the form of 1-2 inches of snow and readings of zero to four below. Mercury readings huddled below the zero mark over most of the state. Fox Lake, in northeastern Illinois reported 23 below zero. Freeport, Barrington and McHenry had -22. Other minimum readings included -18 at Rockford, -17 at Waukegan, -16 at Peoria and Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, -15 at Moline, Ottawa and Chicago’s official weather station at Midway airport. The Chicago mark at Midway tied an 1883 record for the date. The intense cold kept many schools closed in rural areas and some towns, including Pearl City in Stephenson County and Stockton in Jo Daviess County. Many rural roads were blocked by drifts made by 3-inch snow and high winds during the weekend. But arrival of bone-racking cold also cut wind velocity to a negative drifting factor….” (Associated Press. “Mercury Skids to 18 Below.” Dixon Evening Telegraph, IL, 1-21-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 22: “Many Illinoisans took off their ear muffs today–but not for long. Temperatures climbed out of the subzero bracket generally. Rockford had an overnight low of even zero but it was 20 above in Vandalia, 19 in Belleville, 11 in Springfield and Quincy, 10 in Rantoul, 5 in Peoria and 3 in Moline. There were scattered flurries of snow. Scattered stretches of packed snow that had fallen earlier made highways slippery north of a line through Danville, Springfield and Quincy. For the southern half of the state highs Tuesday were expected to range from the 20s to the 40s before dropping to 5 above to 25 above early Wednesday. Colder weather was forecast for northern Illinois during the day with highs between 5 above and 20 above. The overnight lows were expected to range from 5 above to 10 below zero.” (Associated Press. “Illinois Due for New Cold Wave.” Daily Journal-Gazette, Mattoon, IL, 1-22-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 23: “….Navigation was blocked on the Mississippi River near Cairo, Ill., when ice floes formed a gorge several miles long. Borg-Warner Corp. arranged to halt manufacturing electrical appliances at its Norge division if Effingham, Ill., for the first time in 19 years. A heavy residential demand for heating gas prompted the Central Illinois Public Service Co. to request the shutdown to lessen the drain. In Chicago where the mercury dropped to -18 degrees, record low for the date and only one degree above the lowest reading of the century, the Salvation Army filled its Harbor Light center on skid row with 600 refugees from the cold, and then rented quarters in nearby hotels for the overflow. Chicago’s hospitals reported an upsurge in the number of patients seeking treatment for frostbite. The city’s temperature had risen only to -15 at noon [Jan 23] and was expected to drop to -20 by Thursday morning [Jan 24]….” (Oneonta Star, NY. “Record Cold Numbs Midwest.” 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 24: “A penetrating subzero cold powered by icy blasts of 20 to 25 m.p.h. winds covered just abut all Illinois today. Only one small section–in the far southwestern corner of the state–could boast of temperatures above the zero mark. Geographically, this area encompasses about 5 per cent of Illinois. The bitter cold forced closing of hundreds of schools, crippled transportation and taxed utility services to near limits. Besides the cold, powerful wind gusts that reached 50 m.p.h. in the northern portion piled up huge drifts that blocked many important roadways for a time….
“The State Highway Department reported that roadways in the southern half of the state were 50 per cent snow packed. Most highways were generally clear of snow, but slippery in spots. In the Chicago area, scores of motorists were stranded for a time Wednesday night on roads blocked by drifts from 5 to 15 feet in depth….
“The Chicago Weather Bureau had forecast overnight temperatures would drop to 20 and more degrees below zero throughout northern Illinois. But the low point was reached at mid-evening Wednesday when readings in the Chicago area generally were around -17. Among reporting points early today were: Morris -16; Dixon and Bloomington -15; Rockford, Danville and Lincoln -14; Normal and Moline -13; Springfield and Galesburg -12; Peoria and Quincy -10; Joliet -9; Belleville -8; Vandalia -7; and Champaign -6….
“Some 250 barges were tied up today at Cairo and around 100 of them, with cargo por points between St. Louis and Chicago, could not move because of ice floes blocking the Mississippi River. Barge line officials said one floe was five miles long and new ice moved continually downstream from smaller arteries into the river. Subzero readings covered the entire river area down to Cairo.” (Associated Press. “Illinois Fights Cold, Snow Drifts; Weather Closes Many Schools.” The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, IL. 1-24-1963, pp. 1-2.)
Jan 26: “The weeklong cold spell persisted in Illinois today, but less severe than quick-freezing conditions earlier in the week. New snow spread over much of the state. Moline reported a low mercury reading of -11 in the early morning. Other low marks ranged up to 12 above at Belleville. Subzero readings included -8 at Rockford, -4 at Peoria, and -1 at Quincy. It was even zero at the low point in Rantoul. The lowest at Chicago and Springfield was 1 above zero. Temperatures climbed into the 20s over much of Illinois today. Another cold night was in prospect, with zero to 5 below forecast by Sunday morning in some northern counties and minimum readings around 15 in the Southern Illinois area. The Weather Bureau said that conditions could bring on heavy snowfall during the night in northern Illinois — up to 4 inches. Two barge tows headed toward the solid-packed ice pool above Starved Rock lock today, seeking to smash open the channel which froze over Thursday. The ice at the Starved Rock blockade was reported 16½ inches thick. The low reading at the lock today was -1.” (AP. “Cold Less Severe in Illinois…” Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, IL. 1-26-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 28: “Another subzero punch hit Illinois today, shattering January temperature records in some localities. But temperatures rebounded after plunging more than 20 degrees below zero, and the forecast was: Not so cold tonight. The mercury reached -26 at Moline–one degree higher than the city’s all-time cold record… Danville’s 25 below reading was the coldest in official records. Other minimum readings included -24 at Freeport, -22 at Joliet and Vandalia, -19 at Rockford, -16 at Springfield, and -13 at Champaign, Belleville, Rantoul and Chicago.
“The intense cold clamped the Illinois Waterway structure tighter at Starved Rock lock, west of Ottawa. With a minimum reading of -24 at the lock, ice in the jammed pool on the east, or upriver, side of the dam reached thickness of 17½ inches. Towboats bushed barges as battering rams in renewed attacks on the heavily crusted river channel. At Ottawa, beside the river, the low reading was -21. Waterway traffic was virtually at a standstill.” (Associated Press. “Record Lows Set by New Illinois Cold.” Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, IL. 1-21-1963, p. 1.)
Indiana
Jan 19-21: “The official temperature in Linton this morning [21st] was 6 degrees below zero…
“By United Press International. A blast of below-zero air battered Indiana with the season’s coldest weather today, contributing to a heavy weekend traffic toll and fatal fires and closing many schools. Official temperatures ranged down to 14 below zero at South Bend, where an eight-inch snow, drifting much deeper on country roads, caused administrators to call off classes in all rural schools in St. Joseph County. It was 11 below at Fort Wayne, Kokomo and Lafayette, 10 below at Marion, 8 below at Indianapolis, 6 below at Bloomington and Terre Haute, 4 below at Cincinnati, zero at Evansville and 1 above at Louisville. The Indianapolis mark was the coldest this season….
“A treacherous coating of ice from freezing rain and light snow fashioned death-traps for motorists on Hoosier highways Saturday night and was blamed for the bulk of 13 weekend traffic deaths. In addition, an overheated stove at Indianapolis today caused a fire which killed Mrs. Ida LaMar, 81, and destroyed her home.
“Schools were closed in other parts of Indiana, mostly in the north where the weather was the coldest. Snow, slippery country roads and heating plant troubles resulted in school closings.
“Brisk winds made the cold seem colder, but the breezes were diminishing today. A few additional snow flurries were forecast for today and Tuesday, with more snow likely Wednesday….
“The 8-below reading in Indianapolis this morning came within two degrees of matching the all-time minimum for Jan. 21, a mark of 10 below recorded in 1924.” (UPI. “Winter Weather Causes Accidents.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-21-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 22: “Indiana’s worst cold wave of the winter relaxed its grip today but relief is expected to be brief. Temperatures below the zero mark are forecast for tonight, followed by highs of about 15 Wednesday. Snow flurries are predicted for tonight and Wednesday. Contrary to predictions low temperatures at dawn today were in the low 20s throughout the state. Highs Monday ranged from 8 at South Bend to 26 at Evansville. Light snow was reported in the South Bend area this morning.” (Brazil Daily Times, IN. “Cold Wave Eases; Relief Expected to be Brief Here.” 1-22-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 23: “Temperatures shrank to a crackling…11 below at Lafayette, 7 below at Terre Haute, 5 below at Indianapolis, 3 below at Evansville and zero at South Bend as the new cold front roared to an 8 a.m. EST climax. Fourteen inches of snow lay across South Bend, with much deeper drifts accumulating in the wake of the newest storm. Measurements at 7 a.m. included 4 inches at Fort Wayne, Lafayette, Indianapolis and Cincinnati, 3 inches at Louisville, and 2 at Evansville.
“At least 22 deaths — and possibly more — were weather-connected since Saturday [19th], including 16 traffic, 2 exposure, 4 fire and 1 carbon monoxide.
“Winds whistled across country from Lake Michigan to the Ohio River, mostly ranging from 15 to 20 miles per hour with gusts up to 35 at Evansville. They blew clouds of fine snow into a traffic-slowing menace and created blocking drifts on many country roads. The snow made highways and streets treacherous, held traffic speeds to a crawl and contributed to many accidents.” (UPI. “Mercury Dips to 8 Below…” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-23-1963, 1.)
Jan 23-24: “The mercury fell toward daybreak [24th] depths of 20 below zero and worse as Indiana plunged further into the winter’s deadliest plague of ice, snow and cold Wednesday night [23rd] The wintry whimsy of nature, which piled snow across rural roads and reached record cold marks in parts of the state, had taken 29 lives since sweeping into Indiana four days earlier.
“Logansport thermometers registered -18 early Wednesday night. It was -17 in Fort Wayne, -16 in South Bend and -15 in Lafayette. Evansville listed -10, the coldest mark for Jan. 23 in that city in nearly a century. The Weather Bureau said temperatures would plummet another four or five degrees before sunrise Thursday. Daytime temperatures were not expected to climb above zero before Friday [25th], and a fresh weekend round of snows was forecast to begin Friday evening.
“In Bloomington, an Indiana University journalism professor, James L. Mahler, 52, collapsed and died of an apparent heart attack after shoveling snow in front of his home….
“In Indianapolis, authorities opened police headquarters for the night to families without sufficient heat and persons on the street without money for lodging.
“What weathermen described as a near-blizzard lashed the Ohio River Valley late Wednesday and added the finishing layers to five inches of snowfall in some areas. Highway officials reported the heaviest drifting on the Indiana plains north of Fowler where up to three inches more snow was forecast overnight.” (AP. “Record Cold Raps State.” Logansport Press, 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 25: “Temperatures plunged to levels of from 5 to 9 degrees below zero in Indiana today. Relief…was on the way and expected within hours in the form of highs today ranging from 10 to 25 above zero, a substantial improvement over readings at high points the past two days. But the moderation will be short-lived. It will turn colder again Sunday and probably stay that way at least to the middle of next week and temperatures during the next five days will average 10 to 15 degrees below normal central and south and 15 to 20 below normal north.
“Meanwhile, the weather-connected death toll climbed to at least 37, including two fatalities Thursday in a collision near Monticello blamed on a snow cloud kicked up by a big truck.
“Overnight lows today included 9 below at South Bend, 7 below at Evansville, Fort Wayne and Lafayette, and 5 below at Indianapolis. The lows compared with a range of 15 to 22 below Thursday morning on the coldest day in 12 years. They came in the wake of a day in which the mercury failed to advance higher than 3 or 4 degrees…in many areas although it was 7 above at Indianapolis and 13 above at South Bend. Highs today will range from 10 to 25, lows tonight from 3 to 10 above, and highs Saturday from 15 to the upper 20s…it will turn colder Sunday.
“Moderate to deep snow which fell two days ago just before the cold wave leveled its worst assault of the winter, remained on the ground for lack of temperatures high enough to melt any of it. More snow was expected tonight in the northern portion and Saturday elsewhere. Occasional light snow also was forecast for Sunday.
“Several hundred thousand school pupils received unexpected holidays because of the cold wave or snow. Dozens of schools were closed from one end of the state to the other, and extra-curricular activities were cancelled or postponed.
“At least four more heart seizure deaths of middle-aged and elderly men were blamed on snow-shoveling exertion, including Chris Schomburg, 74; Frederick Elmendorf and William Graham, 62, all of Evansville, and Joe Younkin, 66, Russiaville.” (UPI. “Temperature ‘Only’ Drops to 6-Below.” Evening News, Jeffersonville, IN. 1-25-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 26: “The thermometer made a 24-degree climb in 10 hours as of 10 a.m. today at Flint Lake Weather Station, where a night-time low of 11 degrees below zero was recorded at midnight…The temperature stood at 11 above zero at 10 a.m. today. Low readings the past four days have been -16, -20, -14 and -11.
“Snow, which totaled 8.2 inches during the Tuesday-Wednesday storm, increased another inch Friday and early today, seven-tenths inch falling since 5 p.m. Friday, start of the ‘weather day.’
“Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that a gradual easing of winter’s icy grip on Indiana today signaled only a fresh weekend round of snows and more cold at the start of the week. Weathermen indicated any warming today and tonight would end Sunday. A snow warning for the north said up to four inches of snow would accompany the brief warmup. Occasional to light and scattered snow was in prospect for the rest of the state.
“Temperatures in the north were below zero this morning for the third straight day, but the mercury was expected to climb…as high as 17-25 degrees. Readings as high as 32 were predicted for the south and overnight lows in the 10-18 range were forecast for the entire state….
“State police reported most main roads slippery in spots. All routes in the southwest corner of the state and secondary roads elsewhere were listed as slick and some of them as hazardous….
“The fatality toll from the 8-day wintry siege reached 42. Thomas M. Young, 31, died in a Muncie dwelling fire that Fire Chief Dudley Williams said may have been started by efforts to thaw frozen pipes….
“In the snow pocket off Lake Michigan, LaPorte had 23 inches of snow on the ground this morning, but the night was looked upon as one of relief. The city had only a 4-degree below thermometer reading compared with the 22-below recorded Thursday [24th]. A 13-inch cover remained at South Bend and there were 5 inches at Fort Wayne.” (Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. “More Snow Due This Weekend.” 1-26-2963, p. 1.)
Jan 28: “Bitter cold skirting all-time records hobbled icy Indiana this morning, and the state’s death toll from nine days of severe winter rose to [unclear; either 43 or 48]. A low of 32 below zero at Greensburg this morning was only three degrees short of the state’s all-time cold record of 35 below, set in Greensburg on Feb. 2, 1951. The severe cold was far below zero all over the state, but the Weather Bureau offered a little consolation: Tonight’s lows should…be above zero.
“State police reported main roads spotted with ice over most of the state, and secondary roads generally icy and hazardous.
“Thousands of pupils were out of school in holidays enforced by snow and cold — some of them dating back well into last week.
“Richmond’s 23 below was only four degrees short of its all-time record, set in 1899, and Evansville’s 18 below was five degrees from all-time record of 1951. Some warming into the teens and lower 20s was forecast for today and Tuesday, but the five-day weather outlook was bleak–temperatures averaging 15 to 25 degrees below normal midwinter levels through the rest of the week. That would indicate frequent rounds of subzero marks at night and nothing much above the low 20s in daytime.
“Some light snow was forecast for the whole state tonight and possibly Tuesday, and the outlook called for about one to three inches through the middle of the week. Weekend snows deepened the cover at La Porte to 25 inches, while South Bend measured 15, Seymour 7, Indianapolis 6, Evansville 3.
“The north end of the state didn’t get quite as cold as last week, with LaPorte reporting 18 below, compared with last Thursday’s 22 below. South Bend had 15 below, Fort Wayne 14 below.
“Three deaths Sunday [27th] were added to the list of weather-related fatalities. Roger Lee Slabaugh, 5, and his brother, John, 3, died when fire destroyed their home in Lagrange. Flames from an over-heated coal stove left only a bedpost standing in the rubble. Bruce E. Mudemson, 67, Rt. 1, Pierceton, suffered a fatal heart attack minutes after he dug his car out of a snow bank on Ind. 13 three miles south of North Webster….In South Bend, authorities blamed the death of Leonard Waicat, 56, on carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a faulty gas heater. Waicat’s body was found in his home on the city’s west side Sunday.
“En Elkhart, the water utility appealed to all homeowners to leave their faucets turned on Monday to prevent the mains and lines from freezing. The Elkhart waterworks said it had serviced 60 frozen lines and 60 frozen meters. One main was reported broken. The utility said prolonged cold spell had caused the frost line to penetrate to the mains, buried five feet underground.” (Associated Press. “Icy Indiana Hobbled by Bitter Blasts.” Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN, 1-28-1963, p. 1 & 6.)
Jan 29: “Bitter winter cold stretched into an 11th day in Indiana, bringing a new round of subzero temperatures ahead of expected mid-week snows. Milder temperatures were expected to set in today in damp southern air. Arrival of a new cold front, in turn, is expected to produce snow out of the moisture from the south.
“For Wayne recorded an early morning low of 10 below zero, Muncie -6, Indianapolis and Evansville -2, Terre Haute -1. Where cloud cover lasted long enough to reduce the dissipation of warmth, overnight lows were milder, such as zero at South Bend and 2 above at Lafayette. Seymour had a low of 7 below zero this morning, and a check of is 24-hour readings showed a 23 below Monday, setting a new all-time cold mark. That broke a record of -22 set Jan. 13, 1912.
“….Many schools reopened in the comparative warmup from Monday’s intense cold, ranging down to a 32 below zero at Greensburg. State police reported main roads generally clear over the state, while many sideroads remain icy.
“Official snow depth at South Bend this morning was still 15 inches; Terre Haute, Seymour, Shoals and Williams, 6; Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, 5; Peru and Spencer, 4; Lafayette, 3.
“The deep freeze has struck nearly every facet of Hoosier life. Six cars of a Baltimore & Ohio freight train were derailed late Monday by a broken rail blamed on the intense cold. Three cars overturned, including a tanker of heating gas and an acid tanker. The freight cars and a caboose jumped the tracks. The acid container was punctured and leaking, but state police said there was no serious threat at the scene about four miles west of Albion. The train, eastbound out of Chicago, ripped up 2,000 feet of main-line track. Spilling cars tore up 500 feet of westbound track. Officials said it would be late today before either line could by reopened.
“Two more cold-weather deaths Monday [28th] pushed the total to 51 in the 10-day cold weather siege. A Muncie laborer was killed trying to start a stalled vehicle with a jumper cable. Harold J. Foust, 42, was crushed when a two car motor started and pinned him against a girder. Adam Haid, 84, of Suburban South Bend, died en route to a hospital after shoveling snow in -15 weather at his Roseland home….” (Associated Press. “Brief Warmup Will Precede More Snow.” Rushville Republican, IN, 1-29-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 30: “Indiana’s 10-day run of subzero cold broke today, but the price was a new icy plague of snow and freezing rain that may not end until Thursday. State police reported roads becoming generally slick over most of the state, except the west-central area. Occasional light snow was forecast through at least today, with chances of more Thursday, along with intermittent freezing rain in the south. But the Weather Bureau said no more than an inch or two of snow is likely in the next five days….Temperatures were generally well above zero this morning for the first time since the middle week of January. South Bend recorded a low of 7, Lafayette 13, Fort Wayne 14, Indianapolis 18, Evansville 28….The snow cover again was statewide this morning, with 15 inches on the ground at South Bend, 4 at Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, 2 at Lafayette and Evansville, 6 at Shoals and 5 at Terre Haute and Seymour.” (Associated Press. “10-Day Run of Sub-Zero Cold Ends.” Rushville Republican, 1-30-1963, p1.)
Jan 31: “The coldest January in 23 years in Indiana was on the fringe of bowing out today in a bitter blast of sub-zero temperatures which surprised even the weatherman. Temperatures plunged to 16 below zero at Fort Wayne and almost as low at points throughout the northern half of Hoosierland, spawning a flurry of costly fires at Lafayette, South Whitley and Aurora. Predictions had called for lows of only 2 degrees below zero confined to the far north and above zero readings elsewhere. Instead, the lows included 9 below at Lafayette and Terre Haute, 8 below at South Bend, 6 below at Indianapolis, zero at Cincinnati, 3 above at Evansville…
“It was the ninth straight day of sub-zero readings in Indiana and the 12th day of a historic cold wave which sent the mercury skidding to 34 below zero in the state early Monday, within one degree of the all-time Indiana record. At Indianapolis, where the latest low was only two degrees off the record for the date set in the bruising winter of 1936, the month closed out with an average temperature of 19.5 degrees, nine degrees below normal and the coldest since the record January of a 14.2-degree average in 1940….
“The Indiana toll of weather-connected deaths climbed to 52 since a snow-storm spread over the state Jan. 19 and set off the cold wave. The latest to die was Mrs. Dorothea Steinbeck, 46, Markle, whose car skidded on a snow-covered road at Fort Wayne Wednesday and crashed into a truck.
“Warmer temperatures were scheduled to feature the first days of February. Highs today will range from 12 to 19, lows tonight from 3 to 16 above, and highs Friday in the 20s. There was a chance of snow Friday in the northern third….” (UPI. “Sub-Zero Blast was a ‘Surprise’.” Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN, 1-31-1963, p. 16.)
Iowa
Jan 20-21: “The coldest temperature of the winter so far was recorded her Sunday night [Jan 20] as an official 18 degrees below zero was reported this morning [Jan 21]. Automobiles being pushed to get started was common sight this morning as the sub-zero temperatures took their toll on the cold engines. The 18 below zero was recorded early this morning but with the bright sun shining that reading had risen to a ‘warm’ 10 below zero by later in the morning….” (Washington Evening Journal, IA. “18 Below Zero Here Early This Morning.” 1-21-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 24: “Are the winters growing milder? People of this area [Williamsburg, IA] will stoutly deny that statement after experiencing a prolonged subzero cold of the past week. There were six subzero mornings last week, with the lowest of minus 21 Wednesday morning [Jan 23]. It was down to a minus 18 here Monday morning. Sunday was the most savage day of all. The mercury remained below zero all day. To add to everybody’s misery, a high wind of 30 miles an hour whipped great clouds of snow and caused a lot of drifting in the country. Visibility was cut to a few hundred feet at times, and gusts up to 40 miles an hour were reported. A light snow of about two inches fell Thursday night. Another cold wave, with more snow whipped along by a high wind, moved in Friday night….More snow fell Monday and Tuesday for a total of about three inches. Although the temperature managed to stay above zero Monday night, it began to fall again Tuesday forenoon and down, down, down it went to reach 23 below Wednesday morning. The cold was intensified by a 25-mile an hour wind Tuesday night which diminished some toward morning….” (Williamsburg Journal Tribune, IA. “Winter Weather Has Tight Grip on This Area; -26.” 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
Kentucky
Jan 23-24: “Entire State…Near Blizzard and extreme cold. Heavy snow with high winds on the 23rd caused hazardous highways and closing of practically all schools. Nearly all of the damage, however, was due to the severe cold which followed on the 24th. This was the coldest ever recorded at a number of stations and caused failure of a large amount of plumbing and heating installations over the state. The 1963 peach crop was estimated to be almost a total loss due to the extreme cold. An unknown number of deaths and injuries were incurred from weather associated incidents such as over-exertion, exposure, slipping on ice pavements or auto accidents.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 3.)
Louisiana
Jan 12-29: “State…Ice storms, unusually cold. Most sections reported one or more periods with rain, freezing rain, sleet and/or snow, resulting in icy streets and walks; number of people fell, slipped or tumbled, some hospitalized. These conditions, with below freezing temperatures, resulted in traffic accidents, deaths, and injuries; damaged some streets; retarded construction work, and closed some schools. A number of water pipes were frozen. (See also January 23).” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 3.)
Jan 23: “State…23…3 [deaths]…Unusually cold, Wind…Temperature some localities dropped as much as 20 degrees per hour, to minimums of 23°F or colder throughout state. Jonesboro frozen water hydrant prevented firemen from extinguishing fire, home burned, occupant killed. High winds overturned boat on Bayou Gauche, two men drowned. Waves 15 feet high reported off Louisiana coast. In southern part of state, number of persons left tap water running to prevent pipes freezing. Water consumption increased 4 to 8 times or more above normal. A number of localities reported water pressure dangerously low, creating fire hazard. Houma plumber estimated one out of every four fomes had pipe damage, but most repaired within five days. Lake Pontchartrain Bridge on U.S. 12 closed due to spray from lake freezing on bridge. Schools closed some parishes as hard freeze interrupted water supplies and made school bus trips hazardous.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 3.)
Maine
Jan 27: “Statewide…Snow, Icing, Tidal. Storm yielded from 6 to 16 inches of snow across the state with the heavier falls over central parts. Southeastern and coastal Maine also got splashed with sleet, freezing rain and rain, and sizeable sections became bogged down in a sea of slush. Heaviest damage occurred along the coastal section of Washington County from ‘freak’ high tidies. Machiasport sustained more than $20,000 damage, while a canning factory at Prospect Harbor was damaged to the extent of more than $50,000. Roads throughout the state were covered by snow, slush or ice and were unusually hazardous. Numerous highway skidding accidents occurred including one in which a woman was fatally injured.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 3.)
Massachusetts
Jan 18: “Statewide…Icing. Light precipitation was mostly in the form of freezing rain. Travel conditions became hazardous over most of the state and extremely so in the northeast. Three persons were killed in separate accidents among hundreds of highway skidding accidents reported. Many more were injured. Power failures were experienced in some communities. Schools in many northeastern communities were closed as traffic was reduced to a crawl despite efforts of sanding crews.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 4.)
Jan 23-24: “Western sections…[Jan] 23-24…Snow, Icing. A combination of heavy snow and numbing below zero temperatures created extremely dangerous conditions for driving and walking. Past falling temperatures turned city streets and highways into sheets of ice causing skidding accidents and injuries to pedestrians in falls. Scattered power failure were reported.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 4.)
Jan 27: “Statewide…Snow, Wind, Icing. Gale force winds swept a wild snowstorm across the state piling up 5 to 10 inches of snow over central and eastern parts and 10 to 15 inches in the west before the snow changed to sleet and freezing rain. Travel conditions became extremely hazardous and traffic was slowed to a crawl. Numerous highway skidding accidents occurred and a Somerset man was struck and killed by a car. Two other fatalities resulted from overexertion from shoveling snow. High winds drifted the snow across newly plowed roads plaguing road crews and motorists. Power lines and telephone wires were downed, disrupting service in many areas. Abnormally high tides caused minor flooding conditions along the Bass and Danvers Rivers near Beverly. Schools in western counties remained closed on the 28th as hazardous travel conditions till existed.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 4.)
Michigan
Jan 20-21: “High winds and locally heavy snows punished portions of Michigan today [Jan 21] and kept the state locked in a deep freeze that produced some of the coldest temperatures of the season. At least four deaths were blamed on the three-day storm. Two of the deaths came in traffic accidents blamed in part on slippery highways. And in Antrim County, a man and woman were found dead in a car Sunday. Police indicated they may have kept the car motor running for heat and were overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning.
“Overnight lows included 13 below zero at Escanaba, 11 below at Houghton and Jackson, 9 below at Sault Ste. Marie and Marquette, 6 below at Bay City and Saginaw, 4 below at Ypsilanti and Alpena. Detroit’s 1 below was a seasonal record for that city. The auto Club of Michigan said 8,000-10,000 Detroit residents were late for work because their cars would not start. It said it had received 2,000 calls for assistance by 8 a.m., a record.
“Winds of up to 30 miles an hour swept off Lakes Michigan and Superior and piled up knee-deep snow drifts on main highways in a 10-county area already hit by record snows over the weekend. Snow falls from two to six inches and below zero temperatures were expected to hit isolated areas in Western Michigan, creating emergency situations and closing schools in many rural areas from Allegan County to Traverse City. The U.S. Weather Bureau has issued hazardous driving warnings for the entire west portion of the state. However, the storm was expected to die down by this afternoon or tonight.
“Muskegon County piled up eight inches of new snow over the weekend, bringing the total accumulation for the winter to 95 inches, more than 20 inches above normal. Grand Rapids had eight inches within 24 hours and reported its biggest storm of the season. Some 20 inches of snow were piled up in the Kent County seat today.
“David Lewis, 26, rural South Haven, and Mrs. Wilma Tracy, 41, Port Huron, were killed Sunday [20th] in traffic accidents attributed to weather. Lewis was killed after his car stalled on Michigan 43 east of South Haven. He was fastening the car to a jeep when another car, blinded by blowing snow, plowed into him. Mrs. Tracy died in a two-car, head-on collision on Michigan 59 near Pontiac Sunday night. Her son, Ronald Burkett, 24, was driving the car when it slid out of control. Six Girl Scouts in the other vehicle were injured slightly.
“National Guard troops were called out to rescue motorists stranded in the Holland area Sunday. More than 50 persons took shelter overnight in the Holland Armory, where cots were set up in locker rooms, the gym, and other available space. Several 2½ ton six-wheel drive Army trucks plowed through the drifts to reach stranded cars. Road crews resumed work this morning after the blizzard conditions kept them off the highways in 10 counties–Allegan, Ottawa, Oceana, Mason, Charlevoix, Antrim, Emmet, Roscommon, Manistee and Benzie.
“Virtually all rural schools were closed today in Ottawa, Allegan, Oceana, Mason and many other counties. Many side roads were blocked by snow and highway officials worked to keep main routes open all along the lake…. Ionia had nine inches of snow in a 14-hour period Sunday. One Greyhound bus driver said he had to stop 20 times between Saugatuck and Holland, a 10-mile distance, because he could not see through the blowing snow….Poor visibility caused numerous personal injuries on roads throughout the state.” (UPI. “King Winter Refuses to Loosen Grip on State; Below Zero Readings Common.” Marshall Evening Chronicle, 1-21-1963, pp. 1-2.)
Jan 22: “Hazardous driving warnings were issued by the Detroit Weather Bureau for southwestern Michigan today [Tuesday, Jan 22] as arctic blasts from Lake Michigan caused locally heavy snow and considerable drifting. Up to eight inches of new snow piled up in the western section of the state overnight and the rest of Michigan received light snow.
“Five persons died in weather-attributed traffic accidents and a Kalamazoo man died of a heart attack while shoveling snow, to raise to at least eight the death toll from winter’s latest blast….
“Icebreakers were pressed into service to clear the Detroit River for traffic…
“The State Highway Department reported that snow whistled in from Lake Michigan from Holland to the Straits of Mackinac. Up to eight inches of snow was reported and highways throughout the area were generally snow covered and slippery in spots. Unofficial reports indicated that Muskegon received at least 10 inches of light fluffy snow to bring to about 18 inches the total since the current storm began over the weekend.
“The Highway Department said temperatures ranged from a low of 22 below zero at Covington to 18 above in Ottawa County….” (UPI. “New Snow Piles up in Western Portion of State.” Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI, 1-22-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 22-23: “Temperatures dropped to zero and below in Michigan Tuesday night [22nd] and the Weather Bureau said today there will be no relief from the cold wave until Friday [25th]. The outlook for Friday is ‘not quite so cold.’ Temperatures stayed near zero today [23rd] and will drop again tonight as low as 15 to 25 below in Upper Michigan. Lower Michigan will have lows of -3 to -20.
“A snowfall overnight added to driving hazards. The Highway Department reported an average of about three inches of fresh snow in southern and western Lower Michigan. New Buffalo, at the extreme southwestern point of the state, had 11 inches. Ingham and Hillsdale counties had four inches of fresh snow.
“Covington in Upper Michigan’s Baraga County with a temperature of 35 below apparently was the coldest spot in the state. Other temperature readings included: Flint 0, Lansing, -2; Battle Creek 1 above; Marquette, -20; Houghton, -20; Sault Ste. Marie, -21; Pellston, -19; Traverse City, -21; Grand Rapids, -5, and Saginaw, -6.
“In southeastern Michigan, half of the schools in Monroe County were closed today because of drifted secondary roads. Some 10,000 pupils stayed home. Only the schools in Monroe and the larger towns of the county remained open.
“Iron Mountain in western Upper Michigan marked the 11th straight day of below zero temperatures. The temperature dropped to 30 below today–the coldest for the period. Outlying areas of Dickinson County reported temperature readings as low as 40 below Tuesday night. All schools in the county were closed.
“A Michigan-Wisconsin Pipeline Co. equipment malfunction left some 1,200 southeast Grand Haven homes without heat overnight as the temperature dropped to zero….Servicemen traced the equipment breakdown to a six-inch line near Coopersville.” (AP. “25 Below is Predicted for Upper Peninsula.” Ludington Daily News, MI. 1-23-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 24: “Michigan shuddered today in the grip of death-dealing cold. The stubborn sub-zero blast set new records and a near blizzard smashed along Lake Michigan as West Michigan endured new dangers. Thousands of school children again were kept at home. With many roads impassable, scores of motorists abandoned stalled cars to take overnight shelter. Some areas were paralyzed, particularly in West Michigan as new snow heaped up. Rural families were urged by authorities to lay in food supplies.
“Detroit’s 13 degrees below zero was the Motor City’s coldest day in 29 years.
“Blizzard warnings–called off early today–were issued Wednesday night for 18 West Michigan counties. While the blizzard threat departed, fierce winds still raked the area today as snow continued to pile up. Motorists, driven off the roads, stayed overnight in National Guard armories at South Haven and Holland and also put up at available motels.
“Lennis Walker, 56, of near Battle Creek, was found dead in a jeep-type snowplow in Pennfield Township just north of the city. The plow was stuck in the snow. State police said Walker, a diabetic, apparently died of a heart attack suffered while shoveling the snow. Eugene Jackson, 55, of Battle Creek, was found dead in a construction company storage shed. The cause of death was not determined immediately.
“The U.S. Weather Bureau said temperatures would moderate a little today but that sub-zero would return tonight and the cold would remain into the weekend. Other low readings today included -17 at Jackson, -16 at Bad Axe and Monroe, -14 at Lansing, and -12 at Pellston and Alpena. Muskegon went to -3. Downtown Flint reported -17, lowest since Feb. 2, 1929, though the official reading at the weather station near Flint was -13. Upper Michigan’s lows included -15 at Houghton and -13 at Marquette.
“In the near-blizzard sections today’s forecast calls for locally heavy snow flurries with continuing blowing and drifting of snow….
“The National Guard armory at Holland gave shelter overnight to 60 persons. Most were stranded factory workers who were unable to reach their homes after leaving the late shift in Holland factories….” (AP. “New Record Set as Frigid Blast Staggers Michigan.” Hillsdale Daily News, MI, 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 25: “Arctic blasts of wind howled in from Lake Michigan today and piled up mountainous snow drifts throughout Western Michigan while bone-chilling temperatures hovered near the zero mark in the rest of the state. Weathermen said there was a warming trend in the state today as temperatures rose near the zero mark. Early today the state averaged a mercury reading of about 1 degree above zero, a far cry from the average of about 13 below zero that had been reported at the same time Thursday [Jan 24]….
“U.S. 31 and Michigan 40 remained the problem spots in the western section of the state. Observers said gusts of wind peaking at 30 miles an hour piled up drifts as high as 12 feet in a matter of 15 or so minutes. The two highways were blocked by State Police outside Holland and at Allegan and Saugatuck to keep motorists from driving into the impassable areas and becoming stuck….” (UPI. “Average State Reading -1; Drifting Still Big Problem.” South Haven Daily Tribune, MI, 1-25-1963, p. 8.)
Jan 26: “Michigan fought off continued weather hazards today, including new heavy snows in large areas. Arctic-style temperatures also prevailed although relaxing considerably in southern Michigan in the week-long cold wave. So far in the cold blast that set in last weekend Michigan has had at least 16 deaths. The bulk of these were from exposure and heart attacks and weather-caused mishaps. Low temperatures today included 24 below zero in the Upper Peninsula’s Marquette and 20 below in Covington, also in the far north. A slightly warming trend accompanied new snowfalls in southern Michigan. The cold was still bitter, however. Flint had zero, Lansing 1 below and Battle Creek 2 above.” (News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI. “Cold Wave Easing in Michigan.” 1-26-1963, p. 8.)
Jan 29-30: “The mercury plunged to a frigid 21 degrees below zero at Marquette Tuesday night [Jan 29] as icy weather continued to hold Michigan in its grip with today’s [30th] forecast calling for more cold and snow. The U.S. Weather Bureau said scattered snow which fell over the eastern Upper Peninsula and over wide areas of Lower Michigan during the night will be followed by more flurries or light snow today with temperatures turning colder tonight. Petoskey received 4 inches, Kalkaska 3 and other areas received less with a trace reported in the southwest Lower Peninsula. An early morning report by the U.S. Weather Bureau indicated light snow was falling at Battle Creek, Houghton, Muskegon, Sault Sainte Marie and Detroit.” (AP. “State Still in Icy Grip.” New-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI, 1-30-1963, p. 12.)
Minnesota
Jan 26: “Brainerd was likely the coldest spot in the nation last night as the thermometer dropped to 31 degrees below zero. This marked the 16th straight day when the minimum failed to reach the zero mark. However, there was a warming trend this forenoon and shortly before noon, the reading was up to -3. The forecast calls for continued cold with the high today ranging between -2 and 6 above and the low tonight again dropping down to 18 to 25 below.
“Bemidji had -28 last night. It was -24 at International Falls, traditionally the coldest spot; -21 at Alexandria; -14 at Redwood Falls; -18 at Rochester; -21 at St. Cloud; -17 at Duluth, and -22 at Minneapolis….” (Brainerd Daily Dispatch. “Brainerd Sets Pace as Cold Wave Lingers.” 1-26-1963, p. 1.)
Mississippi
Jan 12-29: “State….Ice storms, unusually cold. Most sections reported 1 or more periods with rain, freezing rain, sleet and/or snow, resulting in hazardous icy highways and back-roads, and causing traffic accidents, deaths, and some schools to close, Winter crops set back by cold weather. State minimums were 10°F, or lower on 24th; 7°F, at Hattiesburg was the lowest January minimum in 73 years. A few people and cattle died of exposure; some frozen extremities reported; fires started while thawing pipes; lake frozen and ice moving down rivers. Heaviest ice floes since 1940 in Mississippi River…Greenville.” (Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 4.)
Nebraska
Jan 22: “Most of Nebraska was lashed Tuesday [22nd] by the stinging cold and wind-driven snow of a new January storm. The Weather Bureau said temperatures were headed down toward overnight lows of 25 below zero in some places. For the most part only light snow was falling but winds of around 25 miles an hour gusting to around 35 kept the flakes swirling in the air or accumulating in drifts. The snow was blinding in many places. Blowing and drifting snow was blamed for most of rash of school closings. Dozens were closed in eastern Nebraska….Nebraska highways were open during the forenoon but both the wind and snow had cut visibility to from zero to a quarter-mile….the cold was scheduled to remain with lows Tuesday night of 15 to 25 below zero and highs Wednesday 5 to 10 below.” (Associated Press. “New winter storm hits state. Temperatures head downward to 25 below…” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE. 1-22-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 23: “Nebraska was locked Wednesday [23rd] in the coldest weather of the winter season. North Platte had the dubious distinction among the regular weather reporting points for being the cold spot at 21 degrees below zero. For Omaha, the 17 degrees below zero tied the record for Jan. 23. The previous minus 17 was reported in 1948. At the North Omaha Airport, it was 20 degrees below zero. Sidney, Valentine and Scottsbluff all reported 17 below. Grand Island had 16 below. The Weather Bureau said a low system developing along the easter slopes of the Rockies, with a center in western Nebraska, would bring the state a slight moderation, beginning Wednesday night.” (Associated Press. “Coldest weather of young season engulfs Nebraska.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE. 1-23-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 26: “The mercury nosedived to 19 degrees below zero early this morning [26th] at the downtown [Columbus, NE] weather station, the coldest reading in Columbus since a -23 was recorded on Jan. 31, 1950. Temperatures were even colder at the municipal airport, where a -25 was reported. Today’s reading marked the 13th time in the last 16 days that lows have been at or below the zero mark in the city, with all indications pointing to one of the worst Januarys in Columbus history. The average daily low for January is 11.2 degrees–and for the first 26 days the month, the daily low as averaged only 5.3 degrees.
“Worst January in recent years in Columbus was in 1950, when the average daily los was 4.1 degrees. That month had 13 days of zero or under, and in addition to the -23 on the 31st also included -20 on the 20th and -17 on the 27th.
“Columbus got light flurries of snow this morning, but nothing measurable to add to the depths of as much as 8 or 9 inches on the ground. The city has had 13½ inches so far this month, duplicating the December figure.
“The recent icy weather has prompted some Columbus residents to inquire about the coldest reading in the city’s history. Official low for Columbus is 29 degrees below zero, recorded on four occasions — Feb. 11, 1899, Jan. 12-14, 1912; and Feb. 13, 1905. Coldest in the last 25 years was a -25 in January of 1940.” (Columbus Daily Telegram, NE. “19 below zero here, coldest since 1950.” 1-26-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 29: “Forecasters today could offer no promise of immediate relief from the type of weather which has held Nebraska in its grip through most of January. Light snow was expected through Wednesday [30th] along with continued cold temperatures. The mercury will skid to between zero and 5 below tonight and advance to between zero and 10 above Wednesday. By Thursday, there may be some moderation. The long-range forecast indicates temperatures may nudge above the freezing level in the western sections with readings of 25 to 30 in the east. Skies will become fair by Wednesday night with lows varying between zero and 10 above in the west and hovering around 5 above in the east….High temperatures Monday were generally in the upper teens and 20s, topped by 27 at Lincoln and Hastings. Overnight lows ranged between 9 at Bellevue and 5 below at Valentine….” (UPI. “Weather Outlook…No promise of relief.” Columbus Daily Telegram, NE. 1-29-1963, p.1.)
New Hampshire
Jan 18: “Coastal….Icing. Light snow and sleet with hard freezing temperatures covered walks and streets with a glaze coating. Travel conditions became extremely hazardous. A man was killed at Greenland when his car smashed into a pole.”
Jan 27: “Statewide….Snow, Tidal. Storm yielded 6 to 15 inches of snow across the state. Strong winds attending and following the snowfall raked wide areas of the state and left drifts measuring several feet high. Travel conditions became extremely hazardous and traffic was slowed to a crawl. Many highway skidding accidents were reported. Power outages were experienced in some communities. Abnormally high tides washed the coast and inflicted minor damage.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 4.)
New York
Jan 20-21: “East of Lakes Erie and Ontario…Snow squalls, strong winds…Another period of severe lake effect shifting snow squalls with near blizzard conditions at times and up to a foot or more of new snow over limited squall belts. The Buffalo area and Thruway east of Lake Erie severely affected. Schools closed and traffic blocked east of Lake Ontario.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 4.)
Jan 23-24: “Statewide….Heavy snow, strong winds, bitter cold…Unusually heavy snowstorm, strong winds and bitter cold. New snow depths ranted up to 1 ½ ft. with near paralysis of traffic at times.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 4.)
Jan 24: “Albany (AP) — Wind gusts of more than 50 miles an hour and temperatures as low as 22 below zero hampered New Yorkers struggling today to shovel through snow drifts as high as five feet in some areas. Friday [25th] also will be cold, the weather bureau said.
“A snowstorm Wednesday that plugged numerous roads with up to two feet of snow closed hundreds of schools today, and all schools in the city of Buffalo cancelled classed because of the cold combined with blowing snow. The city received only three inches of new snow Wednesday, but it fell on top of 17 inches, and winds hit 50-plus. The Buffalo Airport was closed, and flights were grounded at Albany Airport. Police enforced emergency snow measures today in Albany. Troy police did so Wednesday night. The measures permit finding of motorists whose automobiles have no chains or good snow tires.
“Five men suffered fatal heart attacks after shoveling snow. Three were in Rochester, where 7 inches fell.
“At Canaseraga, in south-western New York, a water main froze and cut off water to a central school and 15 homes.
“Up to two feet of snow plastered areas southwest of Watertown, and blocked portions of Routes 3, 11, 81 and 12. Route 98N between Elba and Albion in Western New York also was closed by drifts of 4-5 feet. Nearly a foot of snow buried the Albany-Glens Falls area….
“In general, the snowfall measured from 2 to 6 inches, the weather bureau said. New York City had only a trace of snow, on top of rain, but the temperature dropped to 5 above zero and streets were glazed.
“Skies gradually cleared today in most sections of the state, but visibility was especially poor in the Buffalo area because of the blowing snow. The overnight low temperature at Buffalo was 10 below. It was 22 below near Wellsville, southeast of Buffalo, and -18 in the village. Jamestown also registered -18. Elmira reported a 43-degree drop in temperature from 32 above Wednesday to -11 early today. The weather bureau listed these other overnight lows: Olean -12; Binghamton -10; Rochester -9; Massena -8; Watertown -6; Syracuse and Utica 5; Albany and Newburgh -1….” (AP. “N.Y. State Residents Battle Gusty Winds, Drifting Snow.” Oswego Palladium-Times, NY. 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 26-28: “Statewide….Heavy snow, bitter cold, strong winds…Severe snowstorm, second one in the three or four day period, with bitter cold weather, high winds and much blowing and drifting of snow. Watertown had another 10 inches on top of 56 inches. Amounts ranged up to one and two feet in many of the usually heavy areas and even heavier in the mountains. Amounts of one foot or more were reported in the southeastern counties, Southern Tier, central and southwestern counties. In sections near the Great Lakes winds reached 50 mph with severe drifting. Transportation facilities were at a near standstill for many hours and there was widespread closure of schools.
“Note: Many deaths were reported in the news media as a consequence of the severe weather during the month, mainly through exposure or overexertion.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 4.)
Jan 28: “A heavy snow storm swung through New York state today, leaving up to 70 inches of snow in its tracks and creating emergency conditions….High winds whipped and churned the heavy snowfall into near impassable highway conditions north of Utica, N.Y., as the storm spun south of Watertown into Rome and New York’s Mohawk Valley. Roads were hazardous throughout western New York. Rochester police set up a special parking lot for scores of stalled cars which had to be towed from the streets. In Watertown, N.Y., almost all vehicles flew red flags at the top of aerials so they could be spotted over snow banks at intersections.
“Major food outlets’ stocks ran low in Watertown, and the blizzard conditions hampered shipping in of milk, eggs and other staples from Syracuse, 70 miles to the south.
“Plows had a problem in disposing of the latest snow. They built up 8- to 12-foot piles in Watertown, where 70 inches of snow was on the ground. Buffalo, N.Y., had 23 inches on the ground and Rochester 13 inches.
“Michael McCabe, 9, Hamburg, N.Y. was hospitalized in good condition after a snow tunnel he dug collapsed on him. A neighbor saw his feet in the snow.
“A roof over the Lake Ontario Marina at Henderson Harbor collapsed under the weight of three to four feet of snow. Twenty boats were destroyed….
“Part of a four-inch snowfall thawed in New York City Sunday, but 1,200 Sanitation Department workers manned sanders and salt spreaders in the city’s second day of round-the-clock operation.
“Tho hundred pieces of equipment cleared the runways at New York’s Idlewild and LaGuardia fields with no flight delays expected….” (UPI. “New Storm Blankets Northeast.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.)
North Carolina
Jan 20-21: “A cold front moved through North Carolina Sunday night [Jan 20]. It brought a rapid end to mild and rainy weekend weather. The temperature in Asheville got down to 14 degrees at 7 a.m. today from a high of 62 Sunday afternoon. There was a trace of snow in Asheville and the vicinity this morning, but all roads were clear. Winds reached 36 miles an hour in Asheville this morning. A low of 9 was forecast for Asheville tonight.
“Temperatures at 6 a.m. today included Hickory 26, Winston-Salem 28, Greensboro 29, Raleigh 36, Fayetteville 38, Charlotte 31, Wilmington 51….” (Associated Press. “Cold Air Moves Over Carolinas.” Daily Times, Burlington, NC, 1-21-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 24: “Buncombe, Carteret, Dare, Forsyth, Vance Counties….Wind, Cold…Two persons died from exposure inland and three others were lost from a disabled fishing vessel during some of the coldest weather in recent years. In addition to the shipwreck, winds damaged a number of coastal installations, and did scattered structural damage inland as far west a the Mountains.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 5.)
Jan 24: “The coldest temperature ever recorded I North Carolina — albeit unofficial — was registered at 5 a.m., today on Mt. Pisgah, 20 miles west of Asheville — 24 degrees below zero. The state’s lowest official reading was recorded Feb. 17, 1958, atop Clingman’s Peak, near Mt. Mitchell–23 degrees below zero. It got down to 20 below zero at Clingman’s peak today.
“At least one death was attributed to the weather. Buster Lytle, 48…died in an Asheville hospital today shortly after being found lying at the foot of a bank. A hospital spokesman said he died of exposure. A street department employe on his way to work found Lytle at 7:40 a.m. At 7 a.m. the temperature in Asheville was 7 degrees below zero.
“As the cold wave moved into North Carolina Wednesday night [Jan 23] and spread eastward early today across the state, Asheville recorded its official all-time low of seven degrees below zero. Asheville’s previous low was six below, set Dec. 14, 1905, and tied Dec. 13, 1962. The reading on Mt. Pisgah was made at the transmitter site of Station WLOS-TV which does not use official Weather Bureau equipment….
“At the Raleigh-Durham Airport, the mercury sank to 7 above, a new record for Jan. 24. Other low readings today included Winston-Salem and Greensboro 4, Elizabeth City 17, Hickory 4, New Bern 16, Cherry Point 22, Wilmington 19, Charlotte 8, Hatteras 25, Fayetteville 13, Rocky Mount 12, Goldsboro 16. Cattaloochee Ranch, outside the southeastern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, reported a low of 17 below with three inches of snow, and Banner Elk, in Avery County, reported a low of 17 below.
“Snow fell in the northern and western mountains Wednesday night, but no more snow was expected today. Winds reached 45 miles an hour in gusts at Boone Wednesday night. Driving conditions were hazardous in western North Carolina, and in sections of the Piedmont where a drizzle Wednesday left roads slick.
“No relief from the cold was expected until Friday. Tonight’s low was expected to be around zero in the mountains, near 10 elsewhere inland, and near 15 along the coast. The strong cold front which began moving into the mountains Wednesday afternoon accelerated in forward speed as it swept across the state at night. It brought some of the lowest temperatures of the season to many sections by dawn today. Intermittent and generally light rain developed ahead of the cold front. This changed to sleet and then snow in the mountains and in some portions of the Piedmont as the cold air surged into those areas. Fortunately, the frontal system began moving quite rapidly, so that the icy precipitation did not last long enough to cause more extensive hazardous driving conditions.
“Relatively mild weather for January prevailed Wednesday before the arrival of the Arctic air mass. Highest temperatures Wednesday ranged from the 40s in the mountains to around 60 on the coastal plain. However, by dawn today the mercury had plunged to below zero in the mountains and to under 10 above in the Piedmont, with readings along the coast being mostly in the teens.” (Associated Press. “Coldest N.C. Temperature Recorded–24 Below Zero.” High Point Enterprise, NC, 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 25: “Cold weather that goes through you lingered in North Carolina this morning. But even at a low of 5 degrees in Asheville it was warm compared with the all-time record of 7 below the day before. Rarely did temperatures rise above freezing anywhere in the state Thursday [24th], when the cold, accompanied by high winds that kicked up rough seas, contributed to at least five deaths, by exposure, traffic, fire, and the sinking of a boat.
“But things changed for the better today. Maximum temperatures were expected to be around 40 over the state except for the mountains, where a high of near 30 was indicated. The lows late tonight and early Saturday are forecast at 15 to 23.
“Buncombe County schools were closed today because of icy secondary roads. But the State Highway Patrol said all western North Carolina roads were clear today except some rural ones.” (Assoc. Press. “Carolina Weather Eases.” The Robesonian, Lumberton, NC, 1-25-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 26: “Piedmont and Mountains….Glaze…Icy streets and highways caused numerous accidents, in which at least four persons were killed and many hospitalized.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 5.)
Jan 29: “Duplin County….Cold…Two persons died of exposure during severely cold weather.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 5.)
Jan 30: “Western North Carolina….Glaze…Ice on streets and highways caused a number of accidents, with several persons injured and vehicles damaged.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 5.)
Ohio
Jan 23: “Cleveland (AP) — A snowstorm swirled across northern Ohio today, striking hard at the Greater Cleveland area and forcing a slowdown in the pace of traffic. Cleveland ordered a ban on parking on main through streets, giving police authority to tow-away cars blocking snow removal crews. The U.S. Weather Bureau said up to 5 inches had fallen…throughout the area by daybreak. The snow continued falling, although at a diminishing rate. Some drifts were caused by the biting winds, which ranged up to 20 miles an hour from the north-northwest….
“A cold front and low pressure area, bringing Arctic air from Canada, was located just east of Cleveland this morning. It was part of a general cold and snow pattern that hit the midsection of the nation. The weather bureau predicted sub-zero temperatures tonight. Highs today were not expected to range above 10 degrees.
“Snow hit almost the entire state, although the northern section was hit hardest. Toledo had 6 inches at 7 a.m., Findlay 4 and Akron and Youngstown 3. Hilly Cincinnati also was hard hit. A four-inch snowfall turned that city into a massive early morning traffic jam. Hills leading from the residential area were jammed with cars that barely were moving. More than 100 schools in the southwestern corners of the state and in northern Kentucky were closed as roads became impassable. Elsewhere, Mansfield had five inches, Dayton three, Cincinnati four and Columbus two….” (AP. “Ohio Belted by Severe Snowstorm.” Hamilton Journal, OH, 1-23-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 24: “Columbus, Ohio (AP)–Ohio was hit early today by one of the coldest periods of its recorded history–and one spot at Lithopolis in Fairfield County registered 23 degrees below zero to become the most frigid place in the nation. The cold wave broke many records in the state and coming after heavy snowfalls and high winds of Wednesday, its effects were lingering on in slowing down of business and industry and closing of most schools. The low reading at Lithopolis as reported by the U.S. Weather Bureau in Columbus, broke the record for that area, and a 21-degree below in the Akron-Canton area also broke the record set there Feb. 10, 1899. But these were only two of the areas in the state where records fell. A record low of 22 degrees below was reported by an official observer at the state highway garage in Mercer County. Logan also had -22. Cleveland reported an all-time low of 19 below, coldest since 1873 when the previous record of 17 below was established. In Columbus the low was it at 15 below about 1 a.m., a figure exceeded only three times previously. Other readings: Dayton 19 below, Marietta 14 below, Toledo and Youngstown 17 below, Cincinnati 19 below. The official weather observer in Columbiana County recorded a 19 below reading, coldest since Jan. 18, 1942. The Ohio River was frozen shore-to-shore at East Liverpool for the first time this winter with an inch-thick layer of ice. Even colder, unofficial temperatures were reported from many areas, as low as 22 below, for instance, at St. Marys…
“The bitter cold is expected to remain during the day, ranging from a high from around zero to 5 degrees in the north, 5 below to 5 above in southern and central Ohio. The weather bureau adds that it expects afternoon temperatures to be mostly near zero over the state….
“Affects of Wednesday’s snow still hampered movement of traffic at peak periods in many metropolitan as well as suburban areas. While no roads are reported closed, primary and secondary highways are snow-covered to partly snow-covered throughout the state….
“In greater Cleveland seven weather-connected deaths were reported, all elderly men who suffered heart attacks shoveling snow at their homes….” (AP. State’s Low is -23…Ohio’s Weather Records Tumble.” Wilmington News-Journal, OH, 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 25: “Ohio continued in the grip of a virtual deep-freeze today as the death toll caused by the severe storm and cold mounted to at least nine. U.S. Weather Bureau forecasts showed little reason for optimism, but there was a chance that temperatures could climb into the low 20s in some southern counties.
“While the mercury hovered near and below the zero mark in virtually all sections late Thursday night [Jan 24], the forecasters figured a slight warming trend could bring high readings today of 8-16 in Central Ohio, 16-23 in central and southern counties and 8-16 in the north. This would be considerable improvement over Thursday when in many areas the mercury remained below zero all day.
“The storm-connected deaths in some cases involved heart attacks suffered by persons shoveling snow, mainly in northern counties which received the brunt of the snowfall. Among the latest victims, however, was 70-year-old Joseph Plogman of Cincinnati, who collapsed in his basement after shoveling. Ohio had two multiple deaths Thursday in highway accidents in which icy roads may have been a factor. Each accident, one in Wayne County and the other in Brown County, claimed two lives.
“Many schools throughout the state remained closed today because of hazardous travel and heating difficulties. Other major problems included stalled automobiles–one Columbus auto store reported a sellout of battery jumper cables–and all-time high demands on natural gas supplies.” (AP. “Nine Dead in Ohio’s Cold Wave.” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-25-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 26: “Ohioans breathed a sigh of relief today and, for the first time in three days, inhaled air which did not have the fierce sting of bitter arctic cold. But there’s more to come, weather forecasters warned. Low pressure was building up over Oklahoma and Texas today and was expected to move toward Ohio tonight and Sunday, bringing more snow to Northern Ohio, and dumping a mixture of snow or freezing rain over southern counties.
“At least 15 deaths were attributed to the cold wave which swept into the state Tuesday [22nd]. Nine persons died Wednesday from heart attacks suffered while shoveling snow and a 12-year-old Dayton boy was struck by a truck pushing stalled cars. Two more heart attacks while shoveling snow were recorded Thursday and a Cleveland woman burned to death in a house fire. Friday a Clevelander collapsed while shoveling snow and a 30-year-old Newark man froze to death after apparently collapsing.
“Temperatures just before dawn today hovered between 11 ant 19 degrees above zero for most of the state, except for one below zero at Toledo. Temperatures were expected to reach 20 to 28 during the day in northern sections, with 19 to 25 predicted overnight. The area received a light sprinkling of snow Friday night, producing an inch or less of new accumulation.” (UPI. “Warming Trend Nips Cold Wave.” Daily Jeffersonian, Cambridge, OH, 1-26-1963, 1.)
Jan 28: “A mass snow removal program was started by the city today [Massillon] to combat winter’s latest onslaught over the weekend. About 4½ inches of snow fell Saturday and Sunday and temperatures dipped to a near-record for the day this morning. The United States Weather Bureau station at Akron-Canton airport reported a minus nine degrees at 8 a.m. The all-time low for the date was -10 in 1948. Unofficial low reading in the district ranged down to -21. Although the Massillon area temperature didn’t set a record today. Ohio was officially labeled the icebox of the nation today. Ralph Eubanks, an observer for the U.S. Weather Bureau near Jackson, northeast of Portsmouth penciled in a -31 reading at 7 a.m. Only one other place in the nation was that cold. That was Long Rock, Wis. ….” (Evening Independent, OH. “Ohio Shares ‘Icebox’ Title With Official Low of -31.” 1-28-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 28-29: “Another great cold mass moved over Ohio Monday night [28th], sending the mercury into sub-zero temperatures throughout he state to as low as 24 degrees below zero early today [29th]. A low of 24 degrees below was registered at a weather station at Cambridge State Hospital, while a 23 below reading was marked up in Columbiana County, coldest in the latter spot in 29 years. A low of 21 degrees below zero was recorded in Jackson County where in the previous 24-hour period a 31 degrees below had been registered for the second coldest spot in the nation. The forecaster in East Liverpool said the Columbiana low equaled the mark reached in 1918. The coldest mark there, 28 below, was set on Jan. 13, 1912. That area also reported that the Ohio River traffic was halted between Monaca, Pa., and Steubenville, by ice six to eitht inches thick, with six boats stuck in the jam.
“Elsewhere in Ohio there were these temperature readings, all below zero–Columbus 13, Youngstown 6, Toledo 9, Akron 5, Dayton 1, Cincinnati 2, Cleveland 8, Marietta 10, Mansfield 3, Findlay 6, Zanesville 17, Piketon 12….
“The cold hitting Ohio was part of that covering much of the eastern United States and was centered this morning over Virginia and western Pennsylvania after moving over Ohio….The weather bureau said the weather map shows a low pressure area located over Oklahoma and traveling toward Ohio, and is expected to spread clouds and light snow in its path. The light snowfall is expected to be general over Ohio today, possibly reaching the western counties late tonight….” (Associated Press. “Sub-Zero Temperatures Continue to Plague Ohio.” Circleville Herald, OH, 1-29-1963, p. 1.)
Jan 31: “Columbus (UPI) — Ohioans were warned today to be extremely cautious in heating their homes during the cold weather which has gripped that state for more than a week now. And elderly persons are advised to layoff the snow shovel, or do the job of shoveling at a slower pace with rest periods in between.
“The warnings were brought on by a report that at least 38 persons have died in Ohio in the past week of bitter weather, nearly all of them from fires, carbon monoxide poisoning or over-exertion from shoveling snow. Donald E. Day, state safety and sanitation engineer in the Health Department’s accident prevention section has several tips to make citizens more aware of the increased dangers during such weather.
“Many persons, he said, have been asphyxiated by improperly vented fuel-burning heaters and automobile exhausts. It is a common, though deadly, practice to start an automobile in a garage with the doors closed to warm up the engine faster. Sitting in a car with the motor running is not safe, Day said, unless the muffler and exhaust system have been checked thoroughly for leaks. And don’t use cooking ovens to heat homes.
“With children kept indoors by the inclement weather, there is more likelihood of activities which could touch off home fires. Day said a family should have a pre-planned escape program in the event of fire to prevent them from becoming trapped. He offered these additional tips:
–Don’t overload electric circuits with supplementary heating facilities.
–Keep a close eye on open fire-places.
–Don’t over-fire coal furnaces.
–Check flues and chimneys periodically to be sure they are clear.”
(UPI / Thaylia Straley. “Ohio Gets Home Heating Warning.” Defiance Crescent-News, OH, 1-31-1963, p. 3.)
Jan 31-Feb 1: “The temperature climbed above the freezing mark early Friday afternoon [Feb 1], melting most of the 1½-inch snowfall of Thursday night [Jan 31] and some of the accumulation from the past two weeks. Heavy rain is forecast for the most southerly part of Ohio Friday night. If it reaches this far north it could finish wiping out the sown accumulated during the recent siege of unseasonably cold weather.
“Also possibly in the offing, is freezing rain which could renew the hazard to Fayette County streets and highways.
“Coyt A. Stookey, local weather observer, reported the temperature had climbed to 33 at 12:30 p.m., a rise of 14 degrees since early morning. Readings in the 25-33 range are expected Friday night. Saturday the temperature will climb well above freezing. The range is expected to be between 32 and 42 degrees.” (Record-Herald, Washington Court House, OH. “Mercury Climbs Above Freezing.” 2-1-1963, p. 1.)
Oklahoma
Jan 18-24: “Statewide….Cold waves…Renewed cold waves on the 18th and 22nd continued cold weather of January. Coldest morning in the Panhandle was on the 19th with lowest of minus 8 degrees at Kenton and Boise City, while elsewhere the mornings of the 23rd and 24th were coldest and ranged from minus 6 degrees at Jay and Miami in the northeast counties to 5 degrees above zero at Ardmore in the south. Lows of zero or below occurred mostly over the northern half of the State with up to four such days occurring in the northern counties and Panhandle. The problem of freezing water pipes was intensified during this period in most communities of northern half of State and caused considerable property damage. Sleet and snow on the 19th iced all roads in McCurtain, Choctaw, Pushmataha, Latimer, and Leflore Counties, with travel hazardous and reduced to a minimum. Coldwave of 22nd was accompanied by winds of 35 to 45 MPH and blowing dust. Precipitation on the 22nd fell mostly as traces of snow with up to one inch cover in the northeast.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 5.)
Jan 25-26: “Southeastern Counties….Glaze…Freezing drizzle fell over Marshall and Bryan Counties as well as counties of the southeast division. Glazed highways were most hazardous in Choctaw and McCurtain Counties.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 5.)
Oregon
Jan 30-31: “Most of northern half of State….Ice, Wind…Fairly substantial snow followed immediately by moderate to severe icing conditions produced very hazardous highway conditions. Freezing rain began in afternoon of 30th and continued through most of night. Many auto accidents resulted with one fatality. Several persons injured by auto accidents and falls on ice. Large number of power and telephone lines brought down by ice accumulating on them or by tree limbs which broke due to weight of ice and fell across lines. Strong winds on 31st added to power and telephone difficulties and caused considerable minor damage to buildings. Major portion of damage due to ice. Hazardous traffic conditions forced school closures of 2-3 days practically all schools northwest Oregon, large number north central Oregon and quite a number in other areas of State.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 5.)
South Carolina
Jan 26: “Lancaster and Kershaw Counties….Freezing rain and ice…Icy roads were responsible for a number of automobile accidents.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, V.5, N.1, Jan 1963, p. 5.)
Tennessee
Jan 23-26: “Statewide….Cold wave, snow, and ice…An extremely cold air mass moved across the state bringing record low temperatures for January to many areas and all time record lows to some localities. Minima on the 24th ranged from 0 at Memphis to -30 degrees at Kingston Springs, Cheatham County. Nashville set an all time record low of -15 degrees. Snowfall varied from a trace to 8 inches or more and snow and ice made all travel very difficult and hazardous. Chief freeze damage was to water lines and pipes, roads, and winter kill of small trains, pastures, fruit, and strawberries. Many schools were closed, business and social activities cancelled, and industrial and construction operations shut down. Several deaths were indirectly related to weather and road conditions.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, V.5, N.1, Jan 1963, p. 5.)
Vermont
Jan 23-24: “Statewide….Snow…Storm yielded 6 to 18 inches over the state except less in extreme northwest and extreme southeast. Most highways were kept open during th storm despite drifting caused by high winds but highway surfaces were snowpacked and slippery in some areas. Numerous highway accidents and some power failures were reported.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 6.)
Jan 27: “Storm yielded 8 to 16 inches over eastern and central sections of the state and 5 to 10 inches in western parts. Strong winds attending and following the storm left drifts that measured several feet high. Travel conditions became extremely hazardous and many highway skidding accidents occurred. Power failures were reported in some communities. Schools were closed in Enosburg Falls and other Franklin County communities.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 6.)
Sources
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Associated Press. “Cold Less Severe in Illinois; Snow Spreads Over State.” Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, IL. 1-26-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-24-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sterling-daily-gazette-jan-26-1963-p-1/
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Associated Press. “Coldest weather of young season engulfs Nebraska.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE. 1-23-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-2-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/beatrice-daily-sun-jan-23-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Collision Fatal.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, 1-25-1963, p. 2. Accessed 2-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-jan-25-1963-p-2/
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Associated Press. “Fateful B-52 flight revealed deadly weakness.” Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, IN. 1-13-2013. Accessed 2-16-2019 at: http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130113/APA/1301130667
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Associated Press. “Fires Take Heavy Toll; Traffic Less.” Abilene Reporter-News, TX. 1-21-1963, 13A. Accessed 3-4-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/abilene-reporter-news-jan-21-1963-p-13/
Associated Press. “Fort Collins Mother, Baby Die in Crash.” Greeley Daily Tribune, 1-19-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-26-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/greeley-daily-tribune-jan-19-1963-p-1/
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Associated Press. “Gas Kills 3 in Costilla County Jail.” Greeley Daily Tribune, CO, 1-19-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-26-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/greeley-daily-tribune-jan-19-1963-p-1/
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Associated Press. “Illinois Fights Cold, Snow Drifts; Weather Closes Many Schools.” The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, IL. 1-24-1963, pp. 1-2. Accessed 2-24-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sterling-daily-gazette-jan-24-1963-p-1/
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Associated Press. “In Central Texas. Freezing Drizzle Creates Hazard.” Paris News, TX. 1-25-1963, p. 2. Accessed 3-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/paris-news-jan-25-1963-p-2/
Associated Press. “It’s Beginning to Thaw in N.C. Severe Cold Has Contributed to At Least Five Deaths.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 1-25-1963, pp. 1-2. Accessed 2-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/wilson-daily-times-jan-25-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Killed in Crash.” Oswego Palladium-Times, NY, 1-25-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oswego-palladium-times-jan-25-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Killer Freeze Continues.” The Robesonian, Lumberton, NC, 1-25-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lumberton-robesonian-jan-25-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Man Freezes to Death in Cabin.” Evening Independent, Massillon, OH, 1-26-1963, p. 14. Accessed 2-22-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/evening-independent-jan-26-1963-p-14/
Associated Press. “Man Freezes to Death on Redwood Falls Street.” Fergus Falls Daily Journal, MN, 1-21-1963, 9. Accessed 2-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fergus-falls-daily-journal-jan-21-1963-p-9/
Associated Press. “Man is Found Frozen to Death.” Titusville Herald, PA, 1-25-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/titusville-herald-jan-25-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Mercury Skids to 18 Below.” Dixon Evening Telegraph, IL, 1-21-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-24-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dixon-evening-telegraph-jan-21-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Most of Nation Locked in Freeze.” Lake Charles American Press, LA, 1-24-1963, p. 3. Accessed 2-8-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lake-charles-american-press-jan-24-1963-p-3/
Associated Press. “New Record Set as Frigid Blast Staggers Michigan.” Hillsdale Daily News, MI, 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-23-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/hillsdale-daily-news-jan-24-1963-p-2/
Associated Press. “New Storm Moves Into Midwest,” Daily Times, Burlington, NC, 1-22-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-18-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-daily-times-news-jan-22-1963-p-2/
Associated Press. “New winter storm hits state. Temperatures head downward to 25 below…” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE. 1-22-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/beatrice-daily-sun-jan-22-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “New Winter Storm Moves into Indiana.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN, 1-27-1963, 1. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-jan-27-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Nine Dead in Ohio’s Cold Wave.” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-25-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middletown-journal-jan-25-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “N.Y. State Residents Battle Gusty Winds, Drifting Snow.” Oswego Palladium-Times, NY. 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oswego-palladium-times-jan-24-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Ohio Belted by Severe Snowstorm.” Hamilton Daily News Journal, OH, 1-23-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-21-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/hamilton-daily-news-journal-jan-23-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Ohio Receives Relief From Frigid Wave.” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, OH, 1-26-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lancaster-eagle-gazette-jan-26-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Ohio’s Low was 31 Below.” Wilmington News-Journal, OH, 1-28-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/wilmington-news-journal-jan-28-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “One Killed, 8 Hurt in Bus Wreck,” Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL, 1-23-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-24-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mount-vernon-register-news-jan-23-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Play on Frozen Lake Results in Drowning.” Miami News-Record, OK, 1-23-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/miami-news-record-jan-22-1963-p-2/
Associated Press. “Readings Drop Near All-Time Low for Indiana.” Logansport Press, IN, 1-29-1963, 1. Accessed 2-20-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-press-jan-29-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Record-Breaking Cold Hits South and Midwest.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, 1-25-1963, 1. Accessed 2-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-jan-25-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Record Cold Raps State.” Logansport Press, 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-press-jan-24-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Record Lows Set by New Illinois Cold.” Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, IL. 1-21-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-24-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/carbondale-southern-illinoisan-jan-28-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Shoveler Dies.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, 1-25-1963, p. 2. Accessed 2-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-jan-25-1963-p-2/
Associated Press. “Shoveler is Stricken.” Bennington Banner, VT. 1-31-1963, p. 2. Accessed 3-5-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bennington-banner-jan-31-1963-p-2/
Associated Press. “Skidding Death,” Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL. 1-26-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-24-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mt-vernon-register-news-jan-26-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Springfield Woman Dies in Headon Mishap.” News and Tribune, Jefferson City, MO. 1-20-1963, p. 19. Accessed 3-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/jefferson-city-news-and-tribune-jan-20-1963-p-19/
Associated Press. “State Still in Icy Grip.” New-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI, 1-30-1963, p. 12. Accessed 2-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/benton-harbor-news-palladium-jan-30-1963-p-12/
Associated Press. “State’s Low is -23…Ohio’s Weather Records Tumble.” Wilmington News-Journal, OH, 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/wilmington-news-journal-jan-24-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Sub-Zero Temperatures Continue to Plague Ohio.” Circleville Herald, OH, 1-29-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/circleville-herald-jan-29-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Two Dead of Exposure After Drinking Bout.” The Register-News, Mt. Vernon, IL, 1-21-1963, p. 2. Accessed 2-24-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mt-vernon-register-news-jan-21-1963-p-2/
Associated Press. “U.S. Plains, South and E. Europe Struck.” Republican-Courier, Findlay, OH, 1-30-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-22-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/findlay-republican-courier-jan-30-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “U.S. Relief Fails to Halt Death Toll.” Decatur Daily, AL, 1-26-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-25-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-daily-jan-26-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Weekend Violence Claims 28 Lives.” Del Rio News-Herald, TX, 1-21-1963, p. 2. Accessed 3-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/del-rio-news-herald-jan-21-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Whitefish Couple, Bringing Baby Home, Die in Crash of Car, Truck in Snowstorm.” Independent Record, Helena, MT. 1-25-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/helena-independent-record-jan-25-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Winter Weather Covers Nation.” Daily Times, Burlington, NC, 1-21-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-daily-times-news-jan-21-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Winter Blast Staggers State.” Evening Sun, Norwich, NY, 1-28-1963, 1. Accessed 2-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/norwich-evening-sun-jan-28-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Wintry Weather Deals New Blows.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA, 1-28-2019, p. 1. Accessed 2-26-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/thomasville-times-enterprise-jan-28-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Woman Freezes to Death in Own Yard.” Fergus Falls Daily Journal, MN. 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-journal-jan-24-1963-p-1/
Associated Press. “Your, 17, Dies from Injuries and Exposure.” Albert Lee Tribune, MN, 1-22-1963, p. 2. Accessed 2-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-jan-22-1963-p-2/
Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “Death of Pierz Man Blamed on Exposure.” 1-25-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brainerd-daily-dispatch-jan-25-1963-p-1/
Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “Local Woman, Son Partly Frozen; 3 Die in Minnesota.” 1-25-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-28-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/brainerd-daily-dispatch-jan-25-1963-p-1/
Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “Subzero Wave Now in 12th Straight Day.” 1-21-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brainerd-daily-dispatch-jan-21-1963-p-1/
Brazil Daily Times, IN. “Cold Wave Eases; Relief Expected to be Brief Here.” 1-22-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brazil-daily-times-jan-22-1963-p-1/
Brazil Daily Times, IN. “Cold Wave Hits Area; Subzero Readings Here.” 1-21-1963, pp. 1 and 5. Accessed 2-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brazil-daily-times-jan-21-1963-p-1/
Brazil Daily Times, IN. “Deaths, Damage,” 1-24-1963, p. 9. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brazil-daily-times-jan-24-1963-p-18/
Brazil Daily Times, IN. “Temperature Below Zero Lingers…” 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brazil-daily-times-jan-24-1963-p-1/
Brownsville Herald, TX. “Cold to Remain Trough Monday.” 1-20-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brownsville-herald-jan-20-1963-p-1/
Bryan Daily Eagle, TX. “Two Die in Wreck Here as Fog Precedes Cold.” 1-20-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bryan-daily-eagle-jan-20-1963-p-1/
Burlington Hawk-Eye, IA. “Man Killed in Snowstorm.” 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-hawk-eye-jan-24-1963-p-1/
Carthage Evening Press, MO. “As the Icy Wind — Devastating Traffic Crashes Sweep Area Roads.” 1-21-1963, p. 2. Accessed 3-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/carthage-evening-press-jan-21-1963-p-2/
Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Car Hits Snowplow, East Iowa Killed.” 1-19-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette-jan-19-1963-p-2/
Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Heart Attack Fatal to Owen C. Thomas.” 1-19-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette-jan-19-1963-p-2/
Columbus Daily Telegram, NE. “19 below zero here, coldest since 1950.” 1-26-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/columbus-daily-telegram-jan-26-1963-p-1/
Cullman Times, AL. “Brrrrrr 5 Below Here.” 1-25-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-24-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cullman-times-democrat-jan-25-1963-p-1/
Daily Ardmoreite, OK. “Mercury May Rise to 25 Here Today.” 1-20-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ardmore-daily-ardmoreite-jan-20-1963-p-1/
Daily Gate City, Keokuk, IA. “Woman found dead in shack on river bank near Galland,” 1-24-1963, p. 9. Accessed 2-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/keokuk-daily-gate-city-jan-24-1963-p-18/
Daily Leader-Times. Kittanning, PA. “Brr! Mercury Readings in Area as Low as 24 Minus 0 Reported.” 1-24-1963, p. 1-2. Accessed 3-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kittanning-simpson-leader-times-jan-24-1963-p-1/
Daily Leader-Times. Kittanning, PA. “Cold Eases; Official Low Here Minus 1.” 1-25-1963, pp. 1-2. Accessed 3-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kittanning-simpson-leader-times-jan-25-1963-p-1/
Del Rio News-Herald, TX. “Icy Blast Packs Powerful Punch.” 1-20-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/del-rio-news-herald-jan-20-1963-p-1/
Delta Democrat-Times, Greenville, MS. “Elderly Negro Man Found Dead at Indianola Dwelling.” 1-27-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-delta-democrat-times-jan-27-1963-p-3/
Eau Clare Leader, WI. “Neillsville Man, 70, Dies Shoveling Snow.” 1-20-1963, p. 2. Accessed 3-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/eau-claire-leader-jan-20-1963-p-2/
Evening Independent, OH. “Ohio Shares ‘Icebox’ Title With Official Low of -31.” 1-28-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/evening-independent-jan-28-1963-p-1/
Freeburg Tribune, IL. “Donald A Hundelt Killed in Auto Crash Monday Morning.” 1-25-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-24-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/freeburg-tribune-jan-25-1963-p-1/
Freeburg Tribune, IL. “Dr. Ray Joseph Dies Suddenly in Yard of Home.” 1-25-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-24-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/freeburg-tribune-jan-25-1963-p-1/
Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Current Freeze Claims 1st Victim in Indiana County.” 1-26-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-jan-26-1963-p-1/
Kingsport News, TN. “Cold Wave’s Icy Tentacles Grip Area.” 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-news-jan-24-1963-p-1/
Kingsport Times-News, TN. “2-Inch Snow is Forecast.” 1-27-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-times-news-jan-27-1963-p-2/
Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Coal Gas is Believed Cause of Man’s Death; dog also found dead.” 1-21-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lebanon-daily-news-jan-21-1963-p-18/
Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Records Fall as Penna. Shivers.” 1-24-1963, p. 40. Accessed 3-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lebanon-daily-news-jan-24-1963-p-39/
Linton Daily Citizen, IN. “Official Low Set at -21 With Cold Wave to Stay.” 1-28-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/linton-daily-citizen-jan-28-1963-p-1/
Logansport Press, IN. “20-Below Cold Rips Into Area.” 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-press-jan-24-1963-p-1/
Logansport Press, IN. “Driving Hazards Plague Hoosiers.” 1-22-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-press-jan-22-1963-p-1/
Logansport Press, IN. “Winter Eases Grip Here.” 1-25-2963, p. 1. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-press-jan-25-1963-p-1/
McKinney Daily Courier-Gazette, TX. “Pike Man Found Frozen to Death.” 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mckinney-daily-courier-gazette-jan-24-1963-p-1/
Monroe Evening Times, WI. “L.K. Wegner, 57, Shoveling Victim.” 1-21-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/monroe-evening-times-jan-21-1963-p-1/
Muscatine Journal, IA. “Stricken While Shoveling Snow.” 1-22-1963, p. 10. Accessed 2-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/muscatine-journal-jan-22-1963-p-10/
News-Herald, West Lake County, OH. “Mercury’s Dip a Real Pip.” 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/willoughby-news-herald-jan-24-1963-p-1/
News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI. “Cold Wave Easing in Michigan.” 1-26-1963, p. 8. Accessed 2-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/benton-harbor-news-palladium-jan-26-1963-p-8/
O’Connor, James F. “The Weather and Circulation of January 1963,” Monthly Weather Review, April 1963, pp. 209-218. Accessed 2-14-2019 at: https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/10.1175/1520-0493%281963%29091%3C0209%3ATWACOJ%3E2.3.CO%3B2
Oneonta Star, NY. “Area Obituaries…John K. Spirson.” 1-25-1963, p. 10. Accessed 2-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oneonta-star-jan-25-1963-p-10/
Oneonta Star, NY. “Record Cold Numbs Midwest.” 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oneonta-star-jan-24-1963-p-1/
Oswego Palladium-Times, NY. “Plains States Socked As Storm Heads East.” 1-19-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oswego-palladium-times-jan-19-1963-p-1/
Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Trucks Crash in Storm; Martville Man is Killed.” 1-25-1963, p. 6. Accessed 2-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-jan-25-1963-p-31/
Press-Courier, Oxnard, CA. “U.S. killer freeze toll reaches 210; more storms due.” 1-26-1963, p. 2. Accessed 2-25-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oxnard-press-courier-jan-26-1963-p-2/
Record-Herald, Washington Court House, OH. “Mercury Climbs Above Freezing.” 2-1-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/washington-c-h-record-herald-feb-01-1963-p-2/
Rushville Republican, IN. “Mercury Drops to 19 Below Here, Lowest in 45 Years.” 1-24-1063, p. 1. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/rushville-evening-daily-republican-jan-24-1963-p-1/
Salisbury Times, MD. “Manokin Woman Found Dead in Field.” 1-23-1963, p. 14. Accessed 2-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salisbury-times-jan-23-1963-p-6/
Sandusky Register, OH. “15 Below Zero: Coldest Day in 78 Years Here.” 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-register-jan-24-1963-p-1/
Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. “State Frozen, 1-24-1963, p. 18. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/seymour-daily-tribune-jan-24-1963-p-18/
Tipton Daily Tribune, IN. “Rites Saturday for Snow Victim.” 1-25-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/tipton-daily-tribune-jan-25-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “A Great Winter Storm: How it Gets its Start.” Middlesboro Daily News, KY. 1-23-1963. Accessed 2-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middlesboro-daily-news-jan-22-1963-p-3/
United Press International. “Arctic Blast Will Continue 5 More Days.” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI, 1-23-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/traverse-city-record-eagle-jan-23-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Average State Reading -1; Drifting Still Big Problem.” South Haven Daily Tribune, MI, 1-25-1963, p. 8. Accessed 2-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/south-haven-daily-tribune-jan-25-1963-p-8/
United Press International. “Blaze in Milwaukee Kills Five Children.” Kenosha News, WI, 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kenosha-news-jan-24-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Brutal Cold Wave Gives Way to Warming Trend.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-25-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kannapolis-daily-independent-jan-25-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Carbon Monoxide, Flames Kill 25.” Greensburg Daily News, IN, 1-29-1963, p. 2. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greensburg-daily-news-jan-29-1963-p-2/
United Press International. “Carbon Monoxide Fumes Kill Four.” Coshocton Tribune, OH. 1-27-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-22-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/coshocton-tribune-jan-27-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Cold Causes 13 Deaths in Texas.” Waxahachie Daily Light, TX, 1-21-1963, 1. Accessed 3-4-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/waxahachie-daily-light-jan-21-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Cold Kills Man.” Middlesboro Daily News, KY, 1-30-1963, p. 2. Accessed 2-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middlesboro-daily-news-jan-30-1963-p-2/
United Press International. “Cold spell fatal to 2 Norfolk men.” Columbus Daily Telegram, NE. 1-23-1963, p. 7. Accessed 3-1-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/columbus-daily-telegram-jan-23-1963-p-14/
United Press International. “Cold Takes Man’s Life.” Lincoln Evening Journal, NE. 1-21-1963, p. 15. Accessed 3-1-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-evening-journal-and-nebraska-state-journal-jan-21-1963-p-15/
United Press International. “Cold Wave One of Worst in Nearly Century.” Daily Times, New Philadelphia, OH, 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-philadelphia-daily-times-jan-24-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Collision Kills Missoula Tot.” Montana Standard, Butte, MT. 1-21-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/montana-standard-jan-21-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Death Toll from Nation’s Cold Siege Tops 300.” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI, 1-29-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/traverse-city-record-eagle-jan-29-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Driver Found Dead.” Idaho Free Press, Nampa. 1-24-1963, p. A4. Accessed 2-26-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/nampa-idaho-free-press-jan-24-1963-p-18/
United Press International. “Eastern Half of U.S. Reels From Storm.” Dunkirk Observer, NY, 1-25-1963, 1. Accessed 2-16-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/dunkirk-evening-observer-jan-25-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Exposure Kills Tot.” Daily News Texan, Hurst, TX. 1-26-1963, p. 6. Accessed 3-5-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hurst-mid-cities-news-texan-jan-26-1963-p-6/
United Press Int. “Five Children Burned as Fire Destroys Home.” News Journal, Radford, VA, 1-28-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-5-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/radford-news-journal-jan-28-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Freak Slaying.” Middlesboro Daily News, KY, 1-30-1963, p. 2. Accessed 2-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middlesboro-daily-news-jan-30-1963-p-2/
United Press International. “Helicopter Finds Boat in Quicksand.” Kingsport News, TN, 1-28-1963, p. 3. Accessed 3-3-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-news-jan-28-1963-p-2/
United Press International. “Killer Freeze…Ends, 200 Are Dead.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY, 1-26-1963, 1. Accessed 2-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dunkirk-evening-observer-jan-26-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “King Winter Refuses to Loosen Grip on State; Below Zero Readings Common.” Marshall Evening Chronicle, 1-21-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/marshall-evening-chronicle-jan-21-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Man, 69, is Killed When Automobile Falls on Him.” Lebanon Daily News, PA. 1-21-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-26-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/lebanon-daily-news-jan-21-1963-p-18/
United Press International. “Many Children Die in Fires.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY, 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dunkirk-evening-observer-jan-24-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Mercer County Ohio’s Coldest.” Defiance Crescent-News, OH, 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-jan-24-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Mercury Dips to 8 Below in Linton This Morning.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-23-1963, 1. Accessed 2-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/linton-daily-citizen-jan-23-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “New Cold Front Spreading Out Across Nation.” Coshocton Tribune, OH, 1-27-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-22-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/coshocton-tribune-jan-27-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “New Snow Piles up in Western Portion of State.” Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI, 1-22-1963, pp. 1 and 7. Accessed 2-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/marshall-evening-chronicle-jan-22-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “New Storm Blankets Northeast.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, 1. Accessed 2-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kannapolis-daily-independent-jan-28-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “New Storm Freezes the Central U.S.” The Times, San Mateo, CA, 1-19-1963, p. 2. Accessed 2-25-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-mateo-times-jan-19-1963-p-3/
United Press International. “Ohio Gets Home Heating Warning.” Defiance Crescent-News, OH, 1-31-1963, 3. Accessed 2-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-jan-31-1963-p-3/
United Press International. “Records Fall as Relentless Cold Pushes into Southland.” Tucson Daily Citizen, AZ, 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-25-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/tucson-daily-citizen-jan-24-1963-p-16/
United Press International. “Snow Buries New York; Record Cold Hangs on.” Idaho Free Press, Nampa, IS, 1-28-1963, 1. Accessed 2-26-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/nampa-idaho-free-press-jan-28-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Snow Storm Dumps New Coat on Nation.” Aiken Standard and Review, SC, 1-28-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/aiken-standard-and-review-jan-28-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Snowslide Kills Montana Boy, 12.” Montana Standard, Butte. 1-21-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/montana-standard-jan-21-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Sub-Zero Blast was a ‘Surprise’.” Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN, 1-31-1963, p. 16. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-jan-31-1963-p-16/
United Press International. “Sub-Zero Chiller Oozes Into South.” Greensburg Daily News, IN, 1-25-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greensburg-daily-news-jan-25-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Temperature ‘Only’ Drops to 6-Below.” Jefferson Evening News, IN. 1-25-1963, 1. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/jeffersonville-evening-news-jan-25-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Thirteen Die in Week-End Traffic.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-21-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/linton-daily-citizen-jan-21-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Three Hoosiers Die in Fires.” Brazil Daily Times, IN, 1-21-1963, p. 5. Accessed 1-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brazil-daily-times-jan-21-1963-p-10/
United Press International. “Traffic Kills Five in State.” Record-Eagle, Traverse City, MI, 1-22-1963, p. 16. Accessed 2-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/traverse-city-record-eagle-jan-22-1963-p-16/
United Press International. “Two Purdue Students Killed in Car Crash.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-25-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/linton-daily-citizen-jan-25-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Warming Trend Nips Cold Wave.” Daily Jeffersonian, Cambridge, OH, 1-26-1963, 1. Accessed 2-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cambridge-daily-jeffersonian-jan-26-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Weather Miseries Plague Districts in Pennsylvania.” New Castle News, PA, 1-28-1963, 2. Accessed 3-3-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-castle-news-jan-28-1963-p-2/
United Press International. “Weather Outlook…No promise of relief.” Columbus Daily Telegram, NE. 1-29-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/columbus-daily-telegram-jan-29-1963-p-1/
United Press International. “Winter Weather Causes Accidents.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-21-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/linton-daily-citizen-jan-21-1963-p-1/
Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. “More Snow Due This Weekend.” 1-26-2963, p. 1. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/valparaiso-vidette-messenger-jan-26-1963-p-1/
Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. “New Local Low Record is Posted.” 1-28-1963, p. 6. Accessed 2-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/valparaiso-vidette-messenger-jan-28-1963-p-1/
Washington Evening Journal, IA. “18 Below Zero Here Early This Morning.” 1-21-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/washington-evening-journal-jan-21-1963-p-1/
Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963. Asheville: U.S. Dept. of Commerce. Accessed 2-8-2019 at: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/sd/sd.html
Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 2, Feb 1963. Asheville: U.S. Dept. of Commerce. Accessed 2-8-2019 at: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/sd/sd.html
Wichita Falls Times, TX. “Wreck, Freezing Weather Fatal to Cee Vee Youth.” 1-20-1963, 4A. Accessed 3-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/wichita-falls-times-jan-20-1963-p-4/
Williamsburg Journal Tribune, IA. “Winter Weather Has Tight Grip on This Area; -26.” 1-24-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/williamsburg-journal-tribune-jan-24-1963-p-1/
Winona Daily News, MN. “Driver, 80, Killed on Slippery Hill.” 1-29-1963, p. 1. Accessed 2-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-daily-news-jan-29-1963-p-1/
Yoakum Herald-Tribune, TX. “Gas Heater Fumes Fatal for Former Shinerite E. Knezek.” 1-29-1964, p. 1. Accessed 3-5-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/yoakum-herald-times-jan-29-1963-p-1/
Yoakum Herald-Tribune, TX “Heater Fumes Kill 2 More.” 1-29-1963, p. 1. Accessed 3-5-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/yoakum-herald-times-jan-29-1963-p-1/
[1] Compiled for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com © 2017. Note: We have read reports of many CO poisoning, fire, and vehicular deaths not recorded here in that reporting did not connect the deaths to winter weather.
[2] “[UPI] counted 302 deaths attributed to the weather. Indiana led the nation with 48 deaths, followed by Illinois and Ohio with 31 each and New England with 29. Michigan reported 19 deaths, Texas 16 and Minnesota 15.”
[3] “At least 276 persons have died from weather-related mishaps since the bitter cold snap began. Indiana counted 48 dead and Illinois 27. There were 29 deaths in New England and 22 in Ohio, while Michigan had 19 and Texas 16. Minnesota counted 15, New York and Wisconsin 10 each, Pennsylvania and Georgia 9 each, Oklahoma 8, Kentucky 7, Missouri and Iowa 6 each, Alabama and New Jersey 4.”
[4] “At least 260 persons were dead in weather-related mishaps since the record-breaking cold and snow, the worst of the century in some respects, first truck 10 days ago.”
[5] “At least 243 persons were dead in weather-blamed mishaps since the sub-zero cold and heavy snow hit the nation 8 days ago.”
[6] “At least 210 deaths were blamed on the bitter, record-setting cold since it was spawned last weekend.”
[7] “Snow storms and cold the past week have been blamed for 187 weather-related deaths across the country. The deaths were caused by exposure, asphyxiation, over-exertion in snow, fires, and accidents on slick highways.”
[8] “The siege of severe weather, blamed for at least 141 deaths since last week, showed no signs of relenting in the winter weary midcontinent.” Article published Sunday, Jan 27. Dates of previous week would be Sunday Jan 20 through Saturday, Jan 26.
[9] “At least 139 deaths have been reported since the record-breaking cold enveloped the central section Tuesday [21st] and began to spread into the East and South.”
[10] Total came to 94: “Indiana counted 23 deaths due to the cold; New England 15; Illinois 12, Texas 10, Oklahoma 8, Michigan 7, Colorado 5, Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin 3 each; Minnesota and Montana 2 each and New York 1.”
[11] “Winter unleashed a vicious assault of blizzard, heavy snows and arctic cold across the nation from California to New England Saturday night [Jan 19]….At least 35 persons died in weather-related mishaps, many in traffic accidents on snow-packed or icy highways. Fifteen deaths were reported in New England, 5 in Colorado, 4 each in Illinois and Texas, 2 each in Indiana, Iowa and Missouri and 1 in Wisconsin.”
[12] Anniston Star, AL. “City, Alabama Shiver as Cold Records Fall.” 1-24-1963, p. 1.
[13] Anniston Star, AL. “Relief is Due Icy Residents.” 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[14] Anniston Star, AL. “City, Alabama Shiver as Cold Records Fall.” 1-24-1963, p. 1.
[15] Anniston Star, AL. “Relief is Due Icy Residents.” 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[16] Anniston Star, AL. “Relief is Due Icy Residents.” 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[17] Anniston Star, AL. “Relief is Due Icy Residents.” 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[18] Oswego Palladium-Times, NY. “Plains States Socked As Storm Heads East.” 1-19-1963, p. 1. AP article writes “The propane gas heater, the only source of heat in the structure, was located behind a partition about 10 feet from where the men were found.” Cites Sheriff for information and identifies victims as Manuel Brown 29, Eban Mencio, 28, both of Fort Garland, and Rudy Medina, 21, of San Louis. (Associated Press. “Gas Kills 3 in Costilla County Jail.” Greeley Daily Tribune, CO, 1-19-1963, p. 1.)
[19] UPI. “New Storm Freezes the Central U.S.” The Times, San Mateo, CA, 1-19-1963, p. 2. Victims identified as Mrs. Jera Lynn Saul, 22, and son Randall, 4-months. (Associated Press. “Fort Collins Mother, Baby Die in Crash.” Greeley Daily Tribune, 1-19-1963, p. 1.)
[20] UPI. “Brutal Cold Wave Gives Way to Warming Trend.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-25-1963, p. 1.
[21] UPI. “Brutal Cold Wave Gives Way to Warming Trend.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-25-1963, p. 1.
[22] “Leonard W. Woods, 55, Lewiston, was found frozen to death beside his pickup truck at Peck, 30 miles east of here, Tuesday. Nez Perce County Deputy Sheriff…said Woods….appeared to have slipped on ice after removing tire chains from his vehicle.” (UPI. “Driver Found Dead.” Idaho Free Press, Nampa. 1-24-1963, p. A4.)
[23] Freeburg Tribune, IL. “Dr. Ray Joseph Dies Suddenly in Yard of Home.” 1-25-1963, p. 1.
[24] Clifford Hamilton, 84 and Florence Hamilton, 67. A relative told police they were too afraid of fire to heat house. Temperature dropped to -17° night of deaths. (Oneonta Star, NY. “Record Cold Numbs Midwest.” 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
[25] Greyhound bus driver “told authorities that his vision was obscured by driving snow.” Bus skidded down embankment into trees, killing passenger Curtis Elston, 53, of Carbondale. (Associated Press. “One Killed, 8 Hurt in Bus Wreck,” Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL, 1-23-1963, p. 1.)
[26] Freeburg Tribune, IL. “Donald A Hundelt Killed in Auto Crash Monday Morning.” 1-25-1963, p. 1.
[27] Associated Press. “Skidding Death,” Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL. 1-26-1963, p. 1.
[28] Arizona Republic, Phoenix. “Cold Wave.” 102201963, p. 7.
[29] “At least a dozen persons died Wednesday because of fires touched off in some of the Midwest’s bitterest cold of the century.” (UPI. “Many Children Die in Fires.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY, 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
[30] Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale, IL. “Wreck Kills Area Women.” 1-20-1963, p. 3. Victims identified as Mrs. Miriam Johnson, 28 of Carterville, and her mother, Mrs. Margaret Sawyer, 52, of Herrin.
[31] Associated Press. “Find Woman Dead of Exposure,” Daily Journal-Gazette, Mattoon, IL, 1-22-1963, p. 1.
[32] Arizona Republic, Phoenix. “Cold Wave.” 102201963, p. 7.
[33] “…Indiana’s 10-day weather death toll rose to 55.”
[34] “Two more cold-weather deaths Monday [Jan 28] pushed the total to 51 in the 10-day cold weather siege.”
[35] “At least 46…killed since the cold front and new heavy snow moved into Hoosierland more than a week ago.”
[36] “The fatality toll from the 8-day wintry siege reached 42.”
[37] “The bitter cold claimed the lives of three more heart attack victims, raising the cold wave death toll to 32.”
[38] “The coldest weather in Indiana in 12 years sent temperatures tumbling to a range of 15 to 22 below zero from Lake Michigan to the Ohio River today. The toll of weather-connected deaths climbed to at least 30.”
[39] “The wintry…nature, which piled snow across rural roads and reached record cold marks in parts of the state, had taken 29 lives since sweeping into Indiana four days earlier.”
[40] “A treacherous coating of ice from freezing rain and light snow fashioned death-traps for motorists on Hoosier highways Saturday night [19th] and was blamed for the bulk of 13 weekend traffic deaths.” (UPI. “Winter Weather Causes Accidents.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-21-1963, p. 1.)
[41] Associated Press. “Record-Breaking Cold Hits South and Midwest.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, 1-25-1963, 1.
[42] Associated Press. “Record Cold Raps State.” Logansport Press, 1-24-1963, p. 1.
[43] United Press International. “Thirteen Die in Week-End Traffic.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-21-1963, p. 1.
[44] United Press International. “Three Hoosiers Die in Fires.” Brazil Daily Times, IN, 1-21-1963, p. 10. Another article, same page, writes: “Weather also was blamed in two fatal fires at Lawrence, near Indianapolis, and at Connersville.” (Brazil Daily Times, IN. “Cold Wave Hits Area; Subzero Readings Here.” 1-21-1963, pp. 1 and 5.)
[45] Associated Press. “Capital Woman Freezes to Death.” Terre Haute Tribune, IN, 1-30-1963, p. 11.
[46] United Press Int. “Temperature ‘Only’ Drops to 6-Below.” Evening News, Jeffersonville, IN. 1-25-1963, p. 1.
[47] United Press Int. “Temperature ‘Only’ Drops to 6-Below.” Evening News, Jeffersonville, IN. 1-25-1963, p. 1.
[48] United Press Int. “Temperature ‘Only’ Drops to 6-Below.” Evening News, Jeffersonville, IN. 1-25-1963, p. 1.
[49] United Press Int. “Sub-Zero Blast was a ‘Surprise’.” Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN, 1-31-1963, p. 16.
[50] Nieces identified as Dula Stanfor, 12, and Diana Walls, 8. (Rushville Evening Daily Republican, IN. “Mercury Drops.” 1-24-1963, p. 2.)
[51] Associated Press. “New Winter Storm Moves into Indiana.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN, 1-27-1963, 1.
[52] Car, driven by father, “crashed into a utility pole between Indianapolis and Greenwood.” (UPI. “Thirteen Die in Week-End Traffic.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-21-1963, p. 1.) The brother of Jerry, Michael Roberts, 12, died on Jan 21 of his injuries. This article notes the accident was in Greenwood. (Logansport Press. “Driving Hazards Plague Hoosiers,” 1-22-1963, p. 1.)
[53] Brazil Daily Times, IN. “Cold Wave Hits Area; Subzero Readings Here.” 1-21-1963, pp. 1 and 5.
[54] United Press International. “Winter Weather Causes Accidents.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-21-1963, p. 1.
[55] Mrs. Clara Shannon, 75. AP. “Capital Woman Freezes to Death.” Terre Haute Tribune, IN, 1-30-1963, p. 11.
[56] Associated Press. “Capital Woman Freezes to Death.” Terre Haute Tribune, IN, 1-30-1963, p. 11.
[57] Rushville Republican, IN. “Mercury Drops to 19 Below Here, Lowest in 45 Years.” 1-24-1063, p. 1.
[58] Minerva Mattie Lea, 84, died in Lafayette hospital. Article cites coroner to effect she died from the cold. (Logansport Press, IN. “Winter Eases Grip Here.” 1-25-2963, p. 1.)
[59] Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. “New Local Low Record is Posted.” 1-28-1963, p. 6.
[60] United Press International. “Thirteen Die in Week-End Traffic.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-21-1963, p. 1.
[61] United Press Int. “Temperature ‘Only’ Drops to 6-Below.” Evening News, Jeffersonville, IN. 1-25-1963, p. 1.
[62] United Press International. “Thirteen Die in Week-End Traffic.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-21-1963, p. 1.
[63] Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. “More Snow Due This Weekend.” 1-26-2963, p. 1
[64] Victim identified as Harold J. Foust, 42, who died from crushing injuries. (AP. “Brief Warmup Will Precede More Snow.” Rushville Republican, IN, 1-29-1963, p. 1.)
[65] Associated Press. “Icy Indiana Hobbled by Bitter Blasts.” Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN, 1-28-1963, p. 6.
[66] United Press International. “Thirteen Die in Week-End Traffic.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-21-1963, p. 1.
[67] United Press International. “Thirteen Die in Week-End Traffic.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-21-1963, p. 1.
[68] Logansport Press, IN. “20-Below Cold Rips Into Area.” 1-24-1963, p. 1.
[69] Associated Press. “Brief Warmup Will Precede More Snow.” Rushville Republican, IN, 1-29-1963, p. 1.
[70] Rushville Republican, IN. “Mercury Drops to 19 Below Here, Lowest in 45 Years.” 1-24-1063, p. 1.
[71] Logansport Press, IN. “Driving Hazards Plague Hoosiers.” 1-22-1963, p. 1.
[72] Rushville Republican, IN. “Mercury Drops to 19 Below Here, Lowest in 45 Years.” 1-24-1063, p. 1.
[73] Associated Press. “Icy Indiana Hobbled by Bitter Blasts.” Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN, 1-28-1963, p. 6.
[74] Victim identified as Ralph Brownfield, 48, of Westville, an off-duty Porter County deputy sheriff. He collapsed while walking along Wabash Railroad tracks northeast of Valparaiso. (Rushville Republican, IN. “Mercury Drops to 19 Below Here, Lowest in 45 Years.” 1-24-1063, p. 2.)
[75] United Press International. “Thirteen Die in Week-End Traffic.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-21-1963, p. 1.
[76] Logansport Press, IN. “Driving Hazards Plague Hoosiers.” 1-22-1963, p. 1.
[77] Dewey G. Osborne. (Tipton Daily Tribune, IN. “Rites Saturday for Snow Victim.” 1-25-1963, p. 1.)
[78] Fatalities were Purdue University seniors Bruce Wilson, 21, of Gary, and Gary Milne, 21, or Hobart. (UPI. “Two Purdue Students Killed in Car Crash.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-25-1963, p. 1.) UPI notes “Their deaths…pushed the Indiana 1963 highway toll to at least 67, compared with 37 this time last year. Police said the students’ car was hit head-on by one driven by Josephus Thayer, 64, West Lafayette, who was attempting to pass a car and a semi-truck when he became blinded in the snow churned up by the truck’s big wheels.”
[79] United Press International. “Mercury Dips to 8 Below…” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-23-1963, p. 1.
[80] Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Heart Attack Fatal to Owen C. Thomas.” 1-19-1963, p. 1.
[81] Muscatine Journal, IA. “Stricken While Shoveling Snow.” 1-22-1963, p. 10.
[82] Daily Gate City, Keokuk, IA. “Woman found dead in shack on river bank near Galland,” 1-24-1963, p. 9.
[83] Burlington Hawk-Eye, IA. “Man Killed in Snowstorm.” 1-24-1963, p. 1.
[84] Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Car Hits Snowplow, East Iowa Killed.” 1-19-1963, p. 1.
[85] United Press International. “Freak Slaying.” Middlesboro Daily News, KY, 1-30-1963, p. 2.
[86] Associated Press. “Dies From Fall.” Biddeford-Saco Journal, ME. 1-21-1963, p. 2.
[87] AP (David Sharp). “Fateful B-52 flight revealed deadly weakness.” Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, IN. 1-13-2013.
[88] Victim identified as Clarence N. Glover, 39. (Associated Press. “Frozen Body is Found in Garage.” Daily Mail, Hagerstown, MD. 1-26-1963, p. 16.)
[89] Salisbury Times, MD. “Manokin Woman Found Dead in Field.” 1-23-1963, p. 14.
[90] UPI. “King Winter Refuses to Loosen Grip on State; Below Zero Readings Common.” Marshall Evening Chronicle, 1-21-1963, p. 1.
[91] Victim identified as Lennis Walker, 56. (AP. “New Record Set as Frigid Blast Staggers Michigan.” Hillsdale Daily News, MI, 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
[92] Victim identified as Eugene Jackson, 55, of Battle Creek. (AP. “New Record Set as Frigid Blast Staggers Michigan.” Hillsdale Daily News, MI, 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
[93] Victims identified as Leon Wielenga, 20, and his brother Raleigh Wielenga, 13, of Charlevoix. (UPI. “Traffic Kills Five in State.” Record-Eagle, Traverse City, MI, 1-22-1963, p. 16.
[94] UPI. “Traffic Kills Five in State.” Record-Eagle, Traverse City, MI, 1-22-1963, p. 16.)
[95] Victim identified as Robert E. Williams, 39. (UPI. “Average State Reading -1; Drifting Still Big Problem.” South Haven Daily Tribune, MI, 1-25-1963, p. 8.)
[96] Victims identified as Rev. Robert B. Ralph, 33, of Lyons, and Leonard G. Cassady, 40, of Casnovia. (UPI. “Traffic Kills Five in State.” Record-Eagle, Traverse City, MI, 1-22-1963, p. 16.)
[97] Victim identified as James Thomas, 62. (Oneonta Star, NY. “Record Cold Numbs Midwest.” 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
[98] Victim identified as Mrs. Wilma Tracy, 41, of Port Huron, a passenger. UPI. “King Winter Refuses to Loosen Grip on State; Below Zero Readings Common.” Marshall Evening Chronicle, 1-21-1963, p. 1.
[99] Victim identified as David Lewis, 26, of South Haven. UPI. “King Winter Refuses to Loosen Grip on State…” Marshall Evening Chronicle, 1-21-1963, p. 1.
[100] UPI. “Traffic Kills Five in State.” Record-Eagle, Traverse City, MI, 1-22-1963, p. 16.
[101] Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “Subzero Wave Now in 12th Straight Day.” 1-21-1963, p. 1. Victims identified as Madonna Rushmeyer, 16, and David Allen Miller, 20. Newspaper notes: “Officials here still don’t know whether the victims were killed instantly or whether they froze to death.” The crash occurred at about 2:00 a.m., and the victims were not discovered until about 8:00 a.m. A crash survivor, Russell Kropuenske, died evening of 21st from injuries and exposure. (AP. “Your, 17, Dies from Injuries and Exposure.” Albert Lee Tribune, MN, 1-22-1963, p. 2.)
[102] Winona Daily News, MN. “Driver, 80, Killed on Slippery Hill.” 1-29-1963, p. 1.
[103] Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “Subzero Wave Now in 12th Straight Day.” 1-21-1963, p. 1.
[104] Victims identified as Herman Malthaner, 84, and Clarence Malthaner, 82. (Associated Press. “2 Brothers Found Dead in Mill City,” Austin Herald, MN. 1-30-1063, p. 5.)
[105] Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “Death of Pierz Man Blamed on Exposure.” 1-25-1963, p. 1. Paper writes: “Maier apparently raised a trap door to shut off the water supply to guard against freezing, but fell headfirst into the hole and was unable to free himself.” [p. 6.]
[106] AP. “Man Freezes to Death on Redwood Falls Street.” Fergus Falls Daily Journal, MN, 1-21-1963, p. 9.
[107] Associated Press. “Woman Freezes to Death in Own Yard.” Fergus Falls Daily Journal, MN. 1-24-1963, p. 1.
[108] Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “Local Woman, Son Partly Frozen; 3 Die in Minnesota.” 1-25-1963, p. 1.
[109] The column devoted to “Killed” contains the number six. Highlighted in yellow to denote we do not include in tally. Time-frame extends back into the first cold wave; not specific; have not found verification. We have seen reporting of deaths due to vehicular accidents and fires/burns from clothing catching fire from a hot stove. However, the reports we have seen do not tie these deaths to the weather.
[110] Victim identified as Doc Alexander, about 70. (Delta Democrat-Times, Greenville, MS. “Elderly Negro Man Found Dead at Indianola Dwelling.” 1-27-1963, p. 1.)
[111] Delta Democrat-Times, Greenville, MS. “Elderly Negro Man Found Dead at Indianola Dwelling.” 1-27-1963, p1.
[112] United Press International. “Carbon Monoxide, Flames Kill 25.” Greensburg Daily News, IN, 1-29-1963, p. 2.
[113] Victim identified as Roy James Williams, 74 of Republic route 2, a passenger in car driven by wife. The Frisco grade crossing was eight miles west of Springfield. (Carthage Evening Press, MO. “As the Icy Wind — Devastating Traffic Crashes Sweep Area Roads.” 1-21-1963, p. 2.)
[114] AP. “Springfield Woman Dies in Headon Mishap.” News and Tribune, Jefferson City, MO. 1-20-1963, p. 19. Husband, Earl Austin Wooley, 66, died of injuries later. (Carthage Evening Press, MO. “As the Icy Wind — Devastating Traffic Crashes Sweep Area Roads.” 1-21-1963, p. 2.)
[115] Associated Press. “Record-Breaking Cold Hits South and Midwest.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, 1-25-1963, 2. Another AP article identifies victim as Mrs. Ethel Loretta Mackey, 28. (Associated Press. “Farm Woman Dies.” Daily News-Bulletin, Brookfield, MO. 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
[116] “ County [Pike] Coroner J. O. Mudd said an inquest was pending into the death of Mrs. Dalton Ashcraft, 39, Louisiana [MO], and Claude Turnbough, 41, Ashburn. Mudd said the woman’s husband and Floyd Thompson, Louisiana, told him the four had been heavily drinking Saturday [19th] and took a taxicab to the Ashcraft home, about four miles northwest of Louisiana. The cab managed to get within a mile of the house, they said, before poor road conditions caused by four inches of snow and sub-zero weather forced it to stop. The two men said the four got out of the car and began walking to the house. They were quoted as saying the two of them reached the house and went to bed, but when they awoke in the morning, they discovered Mrs. Ashcraft and Turnbough were not there. They went back and found them lying in the snow at the spot where they had started walking.” (Associated Press. “Two Dead of Exposure After Drinking Bout.” The Register-News, Mt. Vernon, IL, 1-21-1963, p. 2.)
[117] Associated Press. “Whitefish Couple, Bringing Baby Home, Die in Crash of Car, Truck in Snowstorm.” Independent Record, Helena, MT. 1-25-1963, p. 1.
[118] United Press International. “Snowslide Kills Montana Boy, 12.” Montana Standard, Butte. 1-21-1963, p. 1.
[119] United Press International. “Collision Kills Missoula Tot.” Montana Standard, Butte, MT. 1-21-1963, p. 1.
[120] United Press International. “Cold Takes Man’s Life.” Lincoln Evening Journal, NE. 1-21-1963, p. 15.
[121] United Press International. “Cold spell fatal to 2 Norfolk men.” Columbus Daily Telegram, NE. 1-23-1963, p. 7.
[122] United Press International. “Cold spell fatal to 2 Norfolk men.” Columbus Daily Telegram, NE. 1-23-1963, p. 7.
[123] Portsmouth Herald, NH. “Greenland Man Killed as Car Hits Pole Near Home.” 1-18-1963, p. 1; U.S. Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 4.
[124] “Three to six inches of snow fell in New Jersey and four persons died Sunday [27th] from shoveling snow.” (United Press Int. “New Storm Blankets Northeast.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.)
[125] “In New York State, hit by blinding snowstorms over the weekend, weather-related deaths since last Wednesday [23rd] totaled 21….”
[126] “The number of deaths linked to the weather rose to 17 since Wednesday [23rd].
[127] “….The severe weather of the past several days had been blamed for 14 deaths, had stranded travelers and school children, particularly in the Buffalo and Watertown areas, and had forced closing of schools and business places.”
[128] “Albany (AP) — New York State remained locked in a deep freeze today [25th] for the second day….The state had counted 13 weather deaths since Wednesday.”
[129] Associated Press. “Shoveler Dies.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, 1-25-1963, p. 2.
[130] Associated Press. “Collision Fatal.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, 1-25-1963, p. 2.
[131] Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Trucks Crash in Storm; Martville Man is Killed.” 1-25-1963, p. 6.
[132] United Press Int. “A Great Winter Storm: How it Gets its Start.” Middlesboro Daily News, KY. 1-23-1963.
[133] Oneonta Star, NY. “Area Obituaries…John K. Spirson.” 1-25-1963, p. 10.
[134] Associated Press. “Winter Blast Staggers State.” Evening Sun, Norwich, NY, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[135] AP. “N.Y. State Residents Battle Gusty Winds, Drifting Snow.” Oswego Palladium-Times, NY. 1-24-1963, p. 1.
[136] Associated Press. “Winter Blast Staggers State.” Evening Sun, Norwich, NY, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[137] Associated Press. “Winter Blast Staggers State.” Evening Sun, Norwich, NY, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[138] Associated Press. “Dies in Fire.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, 1-25-1963, p. 2.
[139] Associated Press. “Killed in Crash.” Oswego Palladium-Times, NY, 1-25-1963, p. 1.
[140] An Associated Press report published Jan 29, notes there were fifteen snow shoveling related deaths in NY, Jan 23-28. We note below seven such deaths by locality, leaving eight, provided the AP report was accurate.
[141] Associated Press. “Coldest N.C. Temperature Recorded–24 Below Zero.” High Point Enterprise, NC, 1-24-1963, p. 1. Notes that at 7 a.m., shortly before Lytle was found dead, the outdoor temperature in Asheville was 7° below zero. See, also: Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 5.
[142] AP. “It’s Beginning to Thaw in N.C. Severe Cold Has Contributed to At Least Five Deaths.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 1-25-1963, pp. 1-2.
[143] “Ice-covered pavement accounted for…a collision Saturday night near Concord that killed two persons.” (Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. “22 Are Injured in Area Wrecks.” 1-28-1963, p. 1.) See, also, Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 5, where it is noted that four people were killed on or about Jan 26 in NC: “Icy streets and highways caused numerous accidents…at least four…were killed…”
[144] AP. “It’s Beginning to Thaw in N.C. Severe Cold Has Contributed to At Least Five Deaths.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 1-25-1963, pp. 1-2. Victim identified as State Highway patrolman L. E. Pace, 28.
[145] AP. “It’s Beginning to Thaw in N.C. Severe Cold Has Contributed to At Least Five Deaths.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 1-25-1963, pp. 1-2. See, also: Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 5.
[146] Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 5. AP article notes the boat was the Violet, which sank off Nags Head. (AP. “It’s Beginning to Thaw in N.C. Severe Cold Has Contributed to At Least Five Deaths.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 1-25-1963, pp. 1-2.
[147] AP. “It’s Beginning to Thaw in N.C. Severe Cold Has Contributed to At Least Five Deaths.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 1-25-1963, pp. 1-2.
[148] Associated Press. “It’s Beginning to Thaw in N.C. Severe Cold Has Contributed to At Least Five Deaths.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 1-25-1963, pp. 1-2.
[149] Associated Press. “Record-Breaking Cold Hits South and Midwest.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, 1-25-1963, 2.
[150] Oneonta Star, NY. “Record Cold Numbs Midwest.” 1-24-1963, p. 1. Article states only that frozen body was found and that “apparently he collapsed.” Thus, victim might have had heart attack.
[151] Victim identified as Richard Neubeck, 47, a farmer. (Associated Press. “Cold Reaches Gulf, Atlantic Coasts.” Logansport Press, IN, 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
[152] “Columbus (UPI) — Ohioans were warned today to be extremely cautious in heating their homes during the cold weather which has gripped the state for more than a week now….The warnings were brought on by a report that at least 38 persons have died in Ohio in the past week of bitter weather, nearly all of them from fires, carbon monoxide poisoning or over-exertion from shoveling snow.” (Goes on to cite: “Donald D. Day, state safety and sanitation engineer in the Health Department’s accident prevention section.”)
[153] Victims identified as Ella Carter, 48; Robert Carter, 60; John Garlin, 58; and Earl Van Lacey, 67. (UPI. “Carbon Monoxide Fumes Kill Four.” Coshocton Tribune, OH. 1-27-1963, p. 1.)
[154] Associated Press. “Nine Dead in Ohio’s Cold Wave.” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-25-1963, p. 1.
[155] Associated Press. “Ohio’s Low was 31 Below.” Wilmington News-Journal, OH, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[156] AP. State’s Low is -23…Ohio’s Weather Records Tumble.” Wilmington News-Journal, OH, 1-24-1963, p. 1.
[157] United Press International. “Mercer County Ohio’s Coldest.” Defiance Crescent-News, OH, 1-24-1963, p. 1.
[158] United Press Int. “Warming Trend Nips Cold Wave.” Daily Jeffersonian, Cambridge, OH, 1-26-1963, 1.
[159] United Press Int. “Warming Trend Nips Cold Wave.” Daily Jeffersonian, Cambridge, OH, 1-26-1963, 1.
[160] Associated Press. “Ohio Receives Relief From Frigid Wave.” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, OH, 1-26-1963, p. 1.
[161] Associated Press. “Ohio’s Low was 31 Below.” Wilmington News-Journal, OH, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[162] Associated Press. “Fumes Kill Man, 50.” Middletown, Journal, OH, 1-27-1963, p. 1. Notes “the fumes came from a space heater that was vented into a clogged flue.”
[163] United Press Int. “Warming Trend Nips Cold Wave.” Daily Jeffersonian, Cambridge, OH, 1-26-1963, 1.
[164] Assoc. Press. “7 Killed By Fumes In Ohio.” Middletown, Journal, OH, 1-27-1963, p. 1. Writes: “One of winter’s leading killers, carbon monoxide, took a heavy toll of lives in Ohio Saturday as snow and severe cold continued their grip on the state.” Also: AP. “Fumes Fatal to Dayton Brothers.” Middletown, Journal, OH, 1-27-1963, p. 1.
[165] United Press Int. “Warming Trend Nips Cold Wave.” Daily Jeffersonian, Cambridge, OH, 1-26-1963, 1.
[166] AP. “Man Freezes to Death in Cabin.” Evening Independent, Massillon, OH, 1-26-1963, p. 14. Notes “The fire in a small stove had gone out. Coroner George Gressle ruled that the elder Collins [found by son] had frozen to death.”
[167] Sandusky Register, OH. “15 Below Zero: Coldest Day in 78 Years Here.” 1-24-1963, p. 1. Notes he was “on his way home from a local tavern shortly after midnight.”
[168] Associated Press. “Fumes Are Blamed as 2 Couples Die.” Circleville Herald, OH, 1-29-1963, p. 1. The deaths of the 2nd couple were not related to house heating — a couple in a parked car in a garage behind a vacant house.
[169] News-Herald, West Lake County, OH. “Mercury’s Dip a Real Pip.” 1-24-1963, p. 1.
[170] Associated Press. “Ohio’s Low was 31 Below.” Wilmington News-Journal, OH, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[171] United Press Int. “Warming Trend Nips Cold Wave.” Daily Jeffersonian, Cambridge, OH, 1-26-1963, 1.
[172] Have not been able to verify eight deaths, just the two noted below. There was a home fire in Calhoun, OK on Jan 20 that killed eight people. It was thought that the fire was either from an overloaded coal stove or a loose flue which might have set fire to the roof.
[173] Associated Press. “New Cold Front Heads for State.” Abilene Reporter-News, TX. 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[174] Associated Press. “Play on Frozen Lake Results in Drowning.” Miami News-Record, OK, 1-23-1963, p. 1.
[175] “The cold weather was blamed for at least one death as a Broken Arrow man died when his car crashed into a bridge on a Tulsa County road.” (Daily Ardmoreite, OK. “Mercury May Rise to 25 Here Today.” 1-20-1963, p. 1.)
[176] We have not included at least four carbon monoxide deaths (two in homes and 2 in a parked car), at least four home fire deaths, and more than four vehicular/road deaths.
[177] A bit unclear: “At least eight deaths were attributed to the weather….Claims Fifteen Lives….Seven persons lost their lives in traffic accidents caused by the weather. Since the cold weather began last Wednesday [Jan 23], at least 15 deaths have been attributed to the weather….”
[178] Daily Leader-Times. Kittanning, PA. “Brr! Mercury Readings in Area as Low as 24 Minus…” 1-24-1963, p. 1-2.
[179] Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Records Fall as Penna. Shivers.” 1-24-1963, p. 40.
[180] Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Current Freeze Claims 1st Victim in Indiana County.” 1-26-1963, p. 1.
[181] Daily Leader-Times. Kittanning, PA. “Cold Eases; Official Low Here Minus 1.” 1-25-1963, pp. 1-2.
[182] Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Records Fall as Penna. Shivers.” 1-24-1963, p. 40.
[183] Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Coal Gas is Believed Cause of Man’s Death; dog also found dead.” 1-21-1963, p. 1.
[184] Associated Press. “18 Die Over Weekend in Pennsylvania.” Somerset Daily American, PA. 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[185] United Press Int. “Snow Storm Dumps New Coat on Nation.” Aiken Standard and Review, SC, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[186] Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Records Fall as Penna. Shivers.” 1-24-1963, p. 40.
[187] Associated Press. “Record-Breaking Cold Hits South and Midwest.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, 1-25-1963, 2.
[188] Associated Press. “18 Die Over Weekend in Pennsylvania.” Somerset Daily American, PA. 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[189] Associated Press. “Man is Found Frozen to Death.” Titusville Herald, PA, 1-25-1963, p. 1.
[190] UPI. “Weather Miseries Plague Districts in Pennsylvania.” New Castle News, PA, 1-28-1963, p. 2.
[191] UPI. “Man, 69, is Killed When Automobile Falls on Him.” Lebanon Daily News, PA. 1-21-1963, p. 1.
[192] Associated Press. “18 Die Over Weekend in Pennsylvania.” Somerset Daily American, PA. 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[193] Associated Press. “18 Die Over Weekend in Pennsylvania.” Somerset Daily American, PA. 1-28-1963, p. 2.
[194] Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Records Fall as Penna. Shivers.” 1-24-1963, p. 40.
[195] Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 5.
[196] Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 5, No. 1, Jan 1963, p. 5.
[197] United Press International. “Cold Kills Man.” Middlesboro Daily News, KY, 1-30-1963, p. 2.
[198] Edward Austin Wiser. (Kingsport News, TN. “Cold Wave’s Icy Tentacles Grip Area.” 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
[199] Kingsport Times-News, TN. “2-Inch Snow is Forecast.” 1-27-1963, p. 1.
[200] Kingsport Times-News, TN. “2-Inch Snow is Forecast.” 1-27-1963, p. 1.
[201] Victim identified as Susan Revada, 6-months. Paper notes “the mercury sank to 12 degrees.” (Associated Press. “In Central Texas. Freezing Drizzle Creates Hazard.” Paris News, TX. 1-25-1963, p. 2.)
[202] Kingsport Times-News, TN. “2-Inch Snow is Forecast.” 1-27-1963, p. 1. Notes that four weather-connected fatalities were “from traffic.” Including the sledding into car path as one of them, we have noted three by locality.
[203] “A weekend of bitter cold directly caused 13 deaths in Texas, a United Press International survey showed today. A total of 31 violent deaths were reported over the weekend….Fifteen persons died in traffic accidents, at least three of which were caused by wet or icy road conditions. Nine persons burned to death, seven from fires resulting from faulty stoves lighted for protection from the cold. One man froze to death and two died in an airplane crash caused by the bad weather….”
[204] United Press International. “Exposure Kills Tot.” Daily News Texan, Hurst, TX. 1-26-1963, p. 6.
[205] Victims were Calvin Dean, 33, of Bryan in one car and John Wright, about 70, also of Bryan, in 2nd car. (Bryan Daily Eagle, TX. “Two Die in Wreck Here as Fog Precedes Cold.” 1-20-1963, p. 1.)
[206] Del Rio News-Herald, TX. “Icy Blast Packs Powerful Punch.” 1-20-1963, p. 1.
[207] Wichita Falls Times, TX. “Wreck, Freezing Weather Fatal to Cee Vee Youth.” 1-20-1963, 4A. [Near Paducah.]
[208] Del Rio News-Herald, TX. “Icy Blast Packs Powerful Punch.” 1-20-1963, p. 1.
[209] Yoakum Herald-Tribune, TX. “Gas Heater Fumes Fatal for Former Shinerite E. Knezek.” 1-29-1964, p. 1.
[210] United Press International. “Helicopter Finds Boat in Quicksand.” Kingsport News, TN, 1-28-1963, p. 3. Another account notes: “J.H. Fortenberry, 53, of Jones Creek died of exposure after a boat in which he and two companions were riding was left in a swampy bog near Angleton by a receding tide from the Gulf of Mexico.” (Associated Press. “25 Weekend Violent Deaths Occur in Texas.” Alice Daily Echo, TX, 1-28-1963, p. 6.)
[211] Victims were C. C. Tucker, 67, and pilot David Domb, 41. Associated Press. “Weekend Violence Claims 28 Lives.” Del Rio News-Herald, TX, 1-21-1963, p. 2. The UPI noted “two died in an airplane crash caused by the bad weather.” (United Press Int.. “Cold Causes 13 Deaths in Texas.” Waxahachie Daily Light, TX, 1-21-1963, p. 1.)
[212] Associated Press. “Fires Take Heavy Toll; Traffic Less.” Abilene Reporter-News, TX. 1-21-1963, 13A.
[213] Associated Press. “25 Weekend Violent Deaths Occur in Texas.” Alice Daily Echo, TX, 1-28-1963, p. 6.
[214] Yoakum Herald-Tribune, TX “Heater Fumes Kill 2 More.” 1-29-1963, p. 1.
[215] McKinney Daily Courier-Gazette, TX. “Pike Man Found Frozen to Death.” 1-24-1963, p. 1.
[216] Brownsville Herald, TX. “Cold to Remain Trough Monday.” 1-20-1963, p. 1.
[217] Associated Press. “Weekend Violence Claims 28 Lives.” Del Rio News-Herald, TX, 1-21-1963, p. 2.
[218] Del Rio News-Herald, TX. “Icy Blast Packs Powerful Punch.” 1-20-1963, p. 1. In that reporting on the two Bryan area deaths on 18th noted drizzle and fog moving in front of an approaching cold front as contributing factors, we make assumption that these two were amongst the four traffic fatalities noted here. Also include Uvalde fatality.
[219] Associated Press. “Shoveler is Stricken.” Bennington Banner, VT. 1-31-1963, p. 2.
[220] United Press International. “Crisis Snowstorm Plasters Northeast.” Press-Courier, Oxnard, CA, 1-28-1963, 1; United Press Int. “Five Children Burned as Fire Destroys Home.” News Journal, Radford, VA, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[221] Associated Press. “Accidents Claim Four.” Daily Chronicle, Centralia-Chehalis, 1-28-1963, p. 1.
[222] Highlighted in yellow to denote not included in tally. A UPI report seems to suggest this was a cold weather related fire (UPI. “Many Children Die in Fires.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY, 1-24-1963, p. 1.) Writes: “At least a dozen persons died Wednesday because of fires touched off in some of the Midwest’s bitterest cold of the century.” A UPI account, however, writes that “authorities believed [the fire] started when one of the youngsters was playing with matches.” (UPI. “Blaze in Milwaukee Kills Five Children.” Kenosha News, WI, 1-24-1963, p. 1.)
[223] Monroe Evening Times, WI. “L.K. Wegner, 57, Shoveling Victim.” 1-21-1963, p. 1.
[224] Eau Clare Leader, WI. “Neillsville Man, 70, Dies Shoveling Snow.” 1-20-1963, p. 2.
[225] “A six-month-old baby, left in a stalled car while its mother went for help, was killed instantly about 7 p.m. Sunday when the auto was struck by a Soo Line passenger train. The mother didn’t know the car was on the tracks. Dead of multiple skull factures is Sandra Gauger….The accident happened on a town road crossing about 2½ miles north of Oshkosh….About 100 yards from the Henry Gauger home, Mrs. Gauger’s car hit a drift and went off the road. Visibility was very poor because of blowing and drifting snow….” (Appleton Post-Crescent, WI. “Baby Girl Dies When Train Hits Stalled Auto.” 1-21-1963, p. 1.)
[226] Associated Press. “Blow Torch Mishap Kills State Man, 87.” Racine Journal-Times, WI, 1-28-1963, p. 3A.
[227] Associated Press. “Dies Shoveling Snow.” La Crosse Tribune, WI. 1-23-1963, p. 2.
[228] Associated Press. “Record-Breaking Cold Hits South and Midwest.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY, 1-25-1963, 2.
[229] There were four weather-connected fatalities “from traffic.” Including the sledding into car path as one of them, we have noted three by locality.
[230] If the car had been running this could have been carbon monoxide poisoning. If dozed off while working on car, could have been exposure. Could also have been a heart attack while working on car in very cold environment.
[231] See our Jan 9-16/17, 1963 document.
[232] Given that the story concerns storm of the previous day (Jan 24), presumably the six days would be Jan 18-25.