Though residents were sweating the heat last week, Monday
morning proved why Bradford could be considered the ice box of the
United States.

According to Dave Martin, meteorologist at the Penn State
Weather Center in State College, Bradford’s temperature reached 46
degrees and was the coldest recorded temperature Monday in the
continental U.S.

“According to the main sites I have access to, you were the
coldest in the country,” Martin said Monday evening. “The
temperature dropped pretty quick. It gives you a little break from
the persistent humidity. It gives the air conditioners a break for
a day or two.”

He added temperatures could have been colder in places where he
does not have access to the temperatures recorded.

“It may have been cooler out west, like in the Rockies, but
probably not really colder since they’re going through a heat
wave,” Martin said.

Martin said it’s not unusual for Bradford to see these low
temperatures. The recorded temperatures for Bradford available at
the Penn State Weather Center are taken at Bradford Regional
Airport in Mount Alton.

“It’s typical around Bradford,” he said. “The high valley
conditions radiate very quickly, even in the summer time. It’s
typical for mid-summer weather. (Bradford does) have a little break
(from the heat) during the summer usually.”

Martin said the temperatures will begin to climb again in the
next few days with warmer air coming in Monday night, though still
cool.

The cold temperature Monday morning was in stark contrast to the
temperatures last week. Residents saw temperatures early last week
hit in the lower 90s and mid-80s, causing a heat wave for the area
and concern of heat-related illness striking residents who ventured
out in the heat, especially the elderly and ill.

Martin said the temperatures dropped from last week due to a
cold front that stalled out Thursday night with another front
dragging down cooler air from southern Canada on Friday.

“Heat was able to radiate very quickly, and there was quite a
bit of dry air, causing cold air masses,” Martin said. “It cooled
off very quickly.”

According to The Era’s own records, the low temperature hit
somewhere between 7 and 8 a.m. Monday.