Looking At Extreme Temperatures

If you have recently noticed, I've put up an EXTREME list on the right hand side of the blog. I really enjoy the dramatic high/low temperature spreads.

However, in my research, I discovered an unusual temperature anomaly. I still can't figure out if it's legitimate, as I cannot find out any other information other than the NWS office. I guess that will be my next step.

DuBois PA recorded a low of 1 degree yesterday morning.

58	32	26	PA	ALLENTOWN-BETHLEHEM
54	31	23	PA	ALTOONA/BLAIR_CO.
57	32	25	PA	BEAVER_FALLS_ARPT
50	28	22	PA	BRADFORD_REGIONAL
55	30	25	PA	BUTLER_CO._(AWOS)
54	27	27	PA	CLEARFIELD
56	33	23	PA	DOYLESTOWN
51	1	50	PA	DUBOIS/JEFFERSON CO
57	40	17	PA	ERIE/INTL
54	34	20	PA	FRANKLIN(AWOS)
57	33	24	PA	HARRISBURG/CAPITAL
50	31	19	PA	JOHNSTOWN/CAMBRIA
57	35	22	PA	LANCASTER
55	32	23	PA	LATROBE/WESTMORLAND
54	36	18	PA	MEADVILLEWPORT_ARPT
57	34	23	PA	MIDDLETOWN
57	32	25	PA	MUIR_AAF/INDIANTOWN
58	38	20	PA	NORTH PHILADELPHIA
59	41	18	PA	PHILADELPHIA/INTL
57	34	23	PA	PITTSBURGH, COUNTY
57	30	27	PA	PITTSBURGH/GREATER
51	29	22	PA	POCONO_MNTS_MUNIL_ARPT
57	34	23	PA	POTTSTOWN LIMERICK AIR
57	36	21	PA	READING/SPAATZ FLD
58	29	29	PA	SELINSGROVE/PENN_VALLE
54	32	22	PA	STATE_COLLEGE
54	28	26	PA	STEWART_FIELD
57	28	29	PA	WASHINGTON_(AWOS)
55	34	21	PA	WILKES-BARRE-SCRANTON
56	30	26	PA	WILLIAMSPORT/LYCOMING
56	30	26	PA	YORK_ARPT

The following table is from an EXCEL spreadsheet that shows, from left to right, high temp, low temp, spread, state, and reporting location.

Also, I have this graphic to show as well...

Enlarge the map above and look in the lower left graphic, looking in the Northeast U.S. at Pennsylvania. Kinda stands out, doesn't it???

True, several locations had quite a bit of snow over the weekend and this can easily provide the dramatic drop in overnight low temperatures. However, other reporting stations don't really come close to the 1 degree reading at DuBois.

Elevation is not much of an issue, either.

The greatest argument I can provide against using this reading as legitimate is the following observations I copied into my EXCEL spreadsheet from the reporting station.

1	11:56	S 3	A Few Clouds	43	37			30.3	1027
1	10:56	S 5	Overcast	41	37			30.3	1027
1	9:56	SE 3	Overcast	38	34			30.3	1027
1	8:56	Calm	Overcast	34	32			30.3	1027
1	7:56	E 5	Fair	NA	NA			30.3	NA
1	6:56	Calm	Fair	1	NA			30.2	1027
1	5:56	Calm	Fair	1	NA			30.2	1026
1	4:56	Calm	A Few Clouds	NA	NA			30.2	NA
1	3:56	Calm	Mostly Cloudy	NA	NA			30.2	NA
1	2:56	SE 3	Partly Cloudy	NA	NA			30.2	NA
1	1:56	SE 6	Mostly Cloudy	1	NA	40	1	30.2	1026
1	0:56	Calm	Overcast	1	NA			30.2	1026
31	23:56	SE 3	Overcast	39	34			30.2	1025
31	22:56	SE 5	Overcast	39	34			30.2	1025
31	21:56	SE 7	Overcast	39	34			30.2	1025
31	20:56	SE 7	Overcast	39	34			30.2	1024
31	18:56	SE 8	Overcast	41	33			30.2	1024

Notice, specifically, the blue font for the hourly temperature readings. Some type of malfunction must have occurred. As you notice, later in the morning, the reporting station started recording the hourly readings again...at a much higher reading than 1 degree.

Sometimes, these things happen, but can cause confusion for climatologists as they seek to gather correct data for their records.

MS