Winter in Maryland can be pretty cold, indeed. When the temperatures are freezing, sometimes I'll say things to myself like, "At least I don't live in Antarctica." It doesn't actually make me feel better, but for a moment, I realize that things could be worse. After reading the following article, you'll be thankful that you didn't have to live through the winter of 1912 or experience the coldest temperature in Maryland. What we've dealt with this year pales in comparison...
Any time the Chesapeake Bay freezes over is a newsworthy ordeal. But there was one year in particular when a frozen-over Bay was seemingly the norm.
Maryland's nippiest winter ever was in 1912. A cold wave settled over much of the US, including Maryland and northern Virginia. Temperatures dropped drastically, causing the Chesapeake Bay to form solid sheets of ice.
In a time before many had heat, the cold was bitter and deadly.
How cold are we talking, exactly? Well, temperatures reached -2 degrees Fahrenheit in Baltimore, but that's only the beginning.
Surrounding cities had it even worse. Hagerstown, Frederick, and College Park all had recorded temperatures in the negative 20s.
The lowest temperature in Maryland that year was in the chillest city of Oakland. One day, it was a jaw-dropping -40 degrees Fahrenheit. I'm shivering just thinking about it.
So when you're cursing this winter, just remember that it pales in comparison to the cold wave of 1912. Hopefully, we'll never have to experience anything that drastic any time soon.
Of course, we've gotten plenty of snow in recent years too. Check out this footage from this decade when Baltimore was slammed with 22 inches of snow:
What are your thoughts on this freezing cold winter in Maryland? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below -- we'd love to hear from you! For a look back at another snowy year in the Old Line State, be sure to read about the 1996 Blizzard. And, if you're freezing cold just reading about these weather events, don't forget to make sure you have a warm winter jacket on hand!
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