NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – If you are thinking we have been seeing more snow this January than we have in recent years, you would be correct! This is the snowiest January we have seen since 1985.

So far this month, we have seen 9.3″ of snow in Nashville. That’s not only the most since 1985, it is the ninth snowiest January on record.

Ironically, just last year, the National Weather Service updated the new 30-year normal, and it dropped from 6.3 inches in the previous 30 year period down to 4.7 inches. Why is that? It subtracted out those snowy 1980s.

And January 1985 was one of the big months of that decade. A total of 9.8″ of snow fell that month. The most occurred on January 19th through the 20th when a two-day total of 6.1″ covered the roads, causing major traffic problems.

But that wasn’t all. The low temperatures dropped from 7 degrees above zero on the 19th when the snow started to 16 degrees below zero the next day. And to top it all off, on the 21st, Nashville set its all-time record low of -17 degrees! It certainly did not help when the low was 5 degrees above zero on the 22nd and 7 degrees above zero on the 23rd.

And of course, the salt does not work below 17 degrees above zero, much less 17 below.

In addition, Nashville Electric Service recorded a record power use. Luckily, it was snow and not an ice storm, so only a few transformers had to be replaced during the snow and cold.

So, if you think this January has been bad, think again! It could be 17 below zero!