There’s no question from the chill in the air – winter is here. Soon, the Christmas season will have come and gone, and 2023 will come in with a blast of cold weather, the way it always seems to in the Hawkeye State. Iowa residents are ready for winter to take its best shot, and sub-freezing temperatures are very common in Des Moines during January and February. But will it be the coldest winter in Iowa history? The odds say no – because it’ll be very hard to top the brutal winter of 1963, which included an extended streak of sub-zero nighttime temperatures that put your average winter to shame. Let’s turn back the clock and count our blessings – because, for anyone who lived through 1963’s winter, the odds are this winter will feel like sipping cocoa in front of a cozy fireplace!

Winter in Iowa is beautiful - but it can also be challenging, especially when the temperatures dip well below zero like they often do.
Rich Herrmann/Wikipedia
But nothing compares to the infamous January of 1963, when the temperatures in Des Moines hit below zero for a shocking 17 days in a row - providing little relief from the freezing cold.
Matthew Kowal/Wikipedia
It was an icy, snowy winter that posed many hazards to Hawkeye State residents - especially on the roads.
Zach Petersen/Flickr

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With such a long streak of cold weather, it was likely the snow would stick around for a long time - and if it did briefly melt, it would freeze over into ice.
NOAA Photo Library/Wikipedia
The bitter cold temperatures, which hit -22 Fahrenheit at one point, provided a serious risk of frostbite to anyone who wasn't properly protected.
Marjaana Pato/Flickr
It was a long, hard winter - and anyone who made it through likely was able to tell their kids and grandkids "You think this is cold? This is nothing!"
Tino Rossini/Flickr

Did you know about the hard-boiled winter of 1963? What’s the coldest winter in Iowa you can remember? Let us know in the comments section. If you’re interested in looking on the bright side of winter, consider a getaway to the state’s snowiest town.

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