This Day in History: Epic Temperature Drop

A system is approaching this weekend that promises a massive temperature drop. According to model data, the temperature may drop some 30 to 40 degrees in 24 hours. An early breakdown of this event was just written by Pierce Larkin.

Let’s be honest, a 30 to 40 degree temperature drop in 24 hours is pretty remarkable. However, this doesn’t compare to a temperature drop on this date in 1924. On December 14, 1924 a strong cold front moved through the Helena, Montana area. According to the late weather historian David Ludlum, the temperature dropped from a balmy 63°F to -25°F in 34 hours. In the technical, 24 hour window, the temperature dropped 79 degrees.

In neighboring Fairfield, Montana, the temperature dropped 84 degrees in 12 hours. The noon temperature was 63°F and the midnight temperature was -21°F.

And, just in case you were wondering, the record high temperature in Helena, Montana on December 14th is 63°F (1924). The record low temperature in Helena, Montana on December 15th is -25°F (also 1924). So, I don’t want to hear any complaining about the temperature roller coaster this weekend!