A frigid morning on Lake Michigan. (2008 File Photo; Credit: CBS)
CHICAGO (WBBM) — Chicago woke up to some of the coldest temperatures in more than two years on Thursday, but it doesn’t even come close to the coldest days ever in Chicago.
As alarm clocks sounded on Thursday morning, the temperature was minus 7 at O’Hare. The coldest day ever in Chicago was Jan. 20, 1985 at 27 below zero, with wind chills around 70 below. We also didn’t come close to the record for this date, which was minus 18 on Feb. 10, 1899.
According to the National Weather Service data, there have been at least 15 days when the temperature hit minus 20 and below.
Here is a list of the coldest days in Chicago:
| Date | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Jan. 20, 1985 | 27 below zero |
| Jan 10, 1982 | 26 below zero |
| Jan. 16, 1982 | 25 below zero |
| Dec. 24, 1983 | 25 below zero |
| Dec. 24, 1872 | 23 below zero |
| Jan. 17, 1982 | 23 below zero |
| Jan. 19, 1985 | 23 below zero |
| Jan. 21, 1984 | 22 below zero |
| Dec 22, 1872 | 21 below zero |
| Feb. 9, 1899 | 21 below zero |
| Dec. 23, 1983 | 21 below zero |
| Jan. 18, 1994 | 21 below zero |
| Jan. 9, 1875 | 20 below zero |
| Jan. 25, 1897 | 20 below zero |
| Jan. 20, 1984 | 20 below zero |
Here is a list of the 5 coldest days ever in February
| Date | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Feb. 9, 1899 | 21 below zero |
| Feb. 3, 1996 | 19 below zero |
| Feb. 10 1899 | 18 below zero |
| Feb. 13 1984 | 18 below zero |
| Feb. 28, 1873 | 18 below zero |
