The all-time record low in the state of North Dakota is 60 below set in Parshall on Feb. 15, 1936. In Minnesota, the state record is also 60 below, set in Tower on Feb. 2, 1996. It is a little odd that both of these record lows were recorded in February when January is usually the coldest month in both states. In February, the days are longer and the nights are shorter than in January, suggesting that the weather should be warmer. And it usually is. But a temperature of 60 below at our latitude requires a quirky set of circumstances. There must be a tremendous southward displacement of Arctic air. The snow must be deep. And the air must be perfectly still. Such a set of conditions are so rare that the odds of occurrence are about as low in February as in January.
