Dec. 22: The coldest day

Today marks the occurrence of the coldest day on record in Nebraska.

On Dec. 22 1989, the temperature fell to -47 in Oshkosh. Temperatures ranged from the 20s below zero to 40s below zero that day across the state, with Omaha recording 25 degrees below zero.

It's not surprising that the state's record cold would occur in western Nebraska. In Nebraska, the farther west one goes, the drier the air. With little moisture in the air to "hold" the heat, temperatures at night can drop dramatically. Also, bitterly cold air masses from Canada moderate as they plunge south. Western Nebraska often receives the cold air before the eastern half, which also helps explain why the colder temperatures occur there.

Here are the record low temperatures for several Nebraska cities:

• Omaha -32°F, Jan, 5, 1884;

• Lincoln -33°F, Jan. 12, 1974;

• Grand Island -34°F, Feb. 12, 1899;

• North Platte -35°F, Jan. 15, 1888, Feb. 12, 1899;

• Chadron -44°F, Feb. 7, 1895;

• Norfolk -39°F, Jan 12, 1912.

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