Life
The 11 Frigid Cities That Deserve Spring the Most
Don't let this beautiful February thaw fool you, because winter is coming – again. Hate to break it to you, but a cold snap and snow storm are predicted to hit the Northeast next week. Just when you thought you could pull out the sunglasses and light jackets. And if you're one of those lucky ducks heading on vacation somewhere sunny, don't even bother complaining about the cold to me. You haven't earned the right.
While some cities are being showered in praise for their toughness throughout this whole awful ordeal, other cities just seriously need a break. Whether it's record snowfalls, grueling cold spells, or stormiest weather, here are 11 cities that really, really need winter to be over. Fast.
New York City
With 14 snow storms under its belt this year, New York City just reached a new high for the most snow ever recorded in the January-February period: 4 feet. The city has actually had a snowier season than Anchorage, Alaska. But copious snow isn’t quite as brutal as arctic temperatures, like the record low -15ºF recorded in Central Park in 1934, so maybe New Yorkers could have it worse, even if it doesn’t feel that way.
Billings, Montana
Billings has had a total of 65.1 inches of snow so far this season, with wind chill reaching a brutal -10ºF. The local elementary school superintendent actually advised children be kept inside. That’s how freezing it is in Billings, Montana.
Chicago
Chicago is going through its fifth snowiest season on record, with a total of 66.8 inches. As of the end of January, Chicago’s temperatures had already dipped below zero 15 times.
International Falls, Minnesota
In the coldest city in the continental US, a new record low of -42ºF was set on January 2 of this year. And no, that’s not a typo. -42ºF. But honestly, what else can you expect from a city nicknamed the Icebox of the Nation and Frostbite Falls?
Washington, D.C.
Snowfall in D.C. totaled 15.2 inches this season, which seems just adorable until you consider that this number is roughly equivalent to the three previous winters combined.
Philadelphia
Philly is going through its third snowiest season on record, with a total of 58.4 inches and counting.
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is currently the city with the heaviest snowfall for 2013-2014 in the whole country, with 115.1 inches — that’s almost 10 feet of snow!
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids comes in close second with 101.4 inches of snow for the 2013-2014 season so far.
Detroit
With 76.4 inches of snow and record-breaking lows of -14ºF, Detroit has the right to long for spring after its third-snowiest winter on record. But it still has a long way to go to top its 1880-81 record of 93.6 inches. Yikes.
Flint, Michigan
Like its neighbor Detroit, Flint has also been seeing some freezing temperatures, with a new record low of -14ºF.
Sorry winter, but it’s time for you to get the heck out of here.
