Cape records second-coldest temperature in nation Friday

Cape Girardeau was the second-coldest place in the United States Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

The 1-degree-below-zero reading at 5 a.m. Friday in Cape Girardeau was bested only by the nation's perennial coldest spot, International Falls, Minn., where the temperature was minus 6 degrees.

A combination of factors dropped the temperature in Cape Girardeau so low, says Kelly Hooper, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky.

A cold front came through the region bringing in much drier air after Wednesday's snowfall. Dry air is colder than moist air. In addition, the snow cover reflected much of the heat from the sun, another factor dropping the temperature.

A lack of wind also reduced temperatures. Hooper compared the effect to ice forming on a pond but not forming as easily on moving water.

This effect of wind on air temperatures is the opposite of wind chill, which is the human body's perception of cold.

International Falls, at the north-central tip of Minnesota, is traditionally so cold because it is so far from the effects of an ocean and because a snow cover usually is present, Hooper said. Nearby locations in Canada were even colder.

Doug Leslie, director of public works for Cape Girardeau, said one water line broke in the city, but he couldn't ascribe that to the severe cold. "It did make it more difficult to repair," he said, referring to the freezing water.

Leslie said the frigid cold helped keep some of the snow-covered roadways from melting.

At Jackson, public works director Rodney Bollinger reported no problems due to the cold. The low temperature at Jackson's fire station was recorded at 5 degrees, but that could be misleading.

Temperatures recorded in cities tend to be naturally higher, Hooper said. Cape Girardeau's temperatures are recorded at a low spot at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport. "The wind will die there because of the topography," he said.

The overnight low Friday was only supposed to be a relatively balmy 20. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-40s today. Lows next week are not expected to dip below the mid-20s.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182