Top image: Purdue University snow image taken in 1902. Image courtesy of the Purdue archives: http://e-archives.lib.purdue.edu/cdm/ref/collection/pbuildings/id/2283
I'd like to do more research on other weather observations stations in the area, I just need more time! I am working to compile the Logansport records which go all the way back to 1854.
I am also working to compile Greater Lafayette records 1854-1878 (some chunks missing however).
Purdue University 1879-1953
Purdue University Agronomy Farm 1954-Present
NOTE: It is interesting to note the brutal, snowy winters of the 1883-1884 to 1886-1887 period. This followed the massive eruption of Mt. Krakatoa in late summer-early fall 1883 in the Dutch East Indies. Significant activity occurred to late winter 1884. This cooled the planet substantially (as much as 2.2 degrees), leading to a string of extreme winters.
Top 10 coldest January actual air temperatures on record:
1. -33 January 21, 1885....January 22, 1885.....January 7, 1887
2. -28 January 5, 1884
3. -26 January 6, 1884
4. -25 January 15, 1893
5. -24 January 12, 1895....January 20, 1985....January 21, 1985
6. -23 January 10, 1886....January 19, 1994
7. -22 January 26, 1897
8. -21 January 25, 1897....January 20, 1994
9. -20 January 12, 1918....January 13, 1918....January 23, 1936....January 16, 1972....January 11, 1982....January 5, 1999....January 6, 2018
10. -19 January 13, 1912....January 1, 1968....January 16, 1977....January 17, 1977....January 18, 1977....January 17, 1982....January 18, 1994
Top 10 biggest January snow events on record (from one single storm system):
1. 13.0" January 2-3, 1999
2. 12.5" January 25-26, 1978
3. 12.0" January 15-16, 1885
4. 10.0" January 18-19, 1886
5. 9.9" January 5-6, 2014
6. 9.5" January 13-14, 1927
7. 9.0" January 31, 1982
8. 8.2" January 18-19, 1892
9. 7.8" January 3, 2003
10. 7.3" January 9-10, 1997