Cold/Wind Chill — Peoria, Illinois

1996-02-02 to 1996-02-04 · Peoria, Illinois

Wider weather episode

Bitterly cold weather took hold of Central Illinois on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of this month. New record low temperatures were made with a low of minus 19 in both Peoria and Springfield on February 3rd. Also, new record low high temperatures were made when the temperatures at Peoria and Springfield never went above zero on the 2nd and 3rd. Many people experienced problems with cars and frozen pipes. However, two deaths were reported due to the extreme cold. A 78 year old man in Springfield froze to death within a few feet of his own front door. He reportedly could not find his house keys and fell. His wife could not help him and they were not found for several hours. She was treated for exposure and released. In Peoria, a 79-year-old woman froze to death on her front porch. Apparently she mistakenly thought she was locked out of her home.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5539575. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.