A look back: Jan. 29, 1963

Residents of the Lehighton-Mahoning Valley area stared at their thermometers in disbelief this morning. But as their teeth continued to chatter, they began to realize that the minus 20 readings were true. It is one of the coldest waves ever to hit Lehighton.

Borough employees took a reading of 22 degrees below zero at the power substation and garage in Lehighton.

But the lowest recorded temperature was actually taken in Little Gap, where employees of George’s Plumbing and Heating Co., Palmerton, reported 30 degrees below zero, which many believe to be the coldest area of the United States since the lowest recording in the nation took place in Boston at minus 25 degrees.