Winters in Virginia are relatively mild, save a few bouts of below-freezing temperatures, ice, and the occasional snow. Yet the winter of 1985 was unprecedented, at least for a single day, when the state’s lowest temperature on record was experienced. We’re not just talking about below-freezing temperatures. We’re talking about extreme cold. This particular year is, without a doubt, a contender for the coldest winter in Virginia. Here’s more on the arctic outbreak that sent the state into an extreme chill.

Please note: the following photos are taken from various winters in Virginia, not necessarily the winter of 1985.

Over 35 years ago, on January 21, 1985, Virginia experienced its single-coldest day on record.
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A polar vortex brought in Arctic air that reached all the way down to Miami, and Virginia certainly saw its fair share of freezing-cold temperatures.
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On that day, the area of Mountain Lake recorded a temperature of -30 degrees F.
Keren Sequeira / EyeEm

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The other areas of Virginia that experienced extremely cold temperatures included Hot Springs (-20), Covington (-19), Blacksburg (-18), and Roanoke (-11).
Jacqueline Nix / Getty Images
There is some debate about whether or not this particular day in 1985 was colder than the epic winter of 1917, another especially frigid season for southwestern Virginia.
Bob Glass / 500px / Getty Images
In nearby West Virginia, for example, the lowest recorded temperature was -35 degrees F.
Needless to say, we are grateful that not every winter is quite as bone-chilling as some that Virginia has witnessed.
Justin Hamilton / EyeEm / Getty Images

Do you happen to remember the freezing-cold day in January 1985? If so, share your thoughts with us in the comments – we would love to hear from you! For related content, check out our list of unbelievable world records set in Virginia. There are certainly a few surprises in there!

And if you’ve never been to Mountain Lake, Virginia, it’s definitely worth visiting. In fact, it’s the tallest lake east of the Mississippi!

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