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Cold Waves: Cold Waves in the Barren River Area
Cold waves strike the Barren River Area when frigid polar air plunges
southward across Kentucky. In some years, upper air patterns result
in prolonged periods of colder than normal weather. Based on the
historic climate record for Bowling Green, the Barren River Area
experiences an average of 85 days per winter season on which the low
temperature drops below 32°F. About one of every six years brings
more than 100 days on which the temperature drops below the freezing
mark (Figure 2-1). But days on which the temperature drops below 0°F
are rare. Bowling Green averages 1.6 days per year on which the
temperature drops to negative values, yet most years do not bring any
such days. The greatest number of days with below 0°F readings in a
year is nine, and this occurred most recently in the winter of 1976-77.
Figure 2-1. Frequency of cold weather, Bowling Green
Intense cold waves in the Barren River Area do not last more than a
few days. Table 2-1 documents some of the most intense cold waves to
affect the region since 1894. In 1901, residents of the region
enjoyed a balmy December 13th, as the temperature rose above 60°F, but
frigid air settled over the area two days later. The low temperature
then fell below 0°F on six of the following seven days. The cold wave
of 1963 began with the temperature falling to -21°F on consecutive
days. The cold waves of 1948 and 1977 were persistent, as brief
warming spells were followed immediately by reinforcing outbreaks of
polar air.
Table 2-1. Severe cold waves, Bowling Green.
Beginning
Date |
Ending Date |
Number
of Days |
Minimum
Temperature
(degrees F) |
Mean Daily Low
Temperature
(degrees F) |
Maximum
Snow Depth
(inches) |
02/08/1899 |
02/14/1899 |
7 |
-17 |
-8.3 |
Not Available |
12/15/1901 |
12/21/1901 |
7 |
-10 |
-5.1 |
Not Available |
01/17/1948 |
02/02/1948 |
17 |
-11 |
4.4 |
9 |
02/01/1951 |
02/03/1951 |
3 |
-20 |
-15.7 |
7 |
01/23/1963 |
01/29/1963 |
7 |
-21 |
-9.0 |
5 |
01/10/1977 |
01/23/1977 |
14 |
-10 |
3.1 |
6 |
12/15/1989 |
12/24/1989 |
10 |
-14 |
-0.6 |
2 |
01/14/1994 |
01/22/1994 |
9 |
-11 |
0.0 |
4 |
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