This winter, Michigan Technological University’s Ford Center in Alberta, MI, recorded the lowest temperature in the state this year, at -32 degrees Fahrenheit. Located 45 minutes south of campus, this remote field station serves as a hands-on research center primarily focusing on forestry, ecology, and environmental sciences.
The reading was taken at 9 a.m. on Jan. 21, 2025, marking a surprising location for the state’s lowest reading. “January 21st was cold all around the western UP and a good chunk of the US,” said Jim Tolan, Manager of Operations at the Ford Center. “An Arctic blast and clear skies allowed temperatures to plummet. This area does get cold because of its geography. Being off the lake and in a valley makes for some cold nights, but Alberta is usually not the coldest spot in the state.”
Tolan, who is in his second year at the center, shared their collection methods. “Weather data is collected in two ways here,” he explained. “Physical readings are taken daily from a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-supplied weather station, and the second method is by downloading data monthly collected by an automated NOAA weather station.”
Tolan emphasized how important the Ford Center in Alberta is in displaying long-term weather trends. “We help provide a data set large enough to gather real information relevant to nationwide trends,” he said. “Collaborating with NOAA in this relatively simple way for such a long period of time has added significant data to help people better understand the weather around us.”
Tolan noted, “It didn’t feel that cold when I walked outside.” He continued, “But then I realized it was really cold when I grabbed the stainless steel precipitation bucket with my bare hand and was burned from the cold! I guess cold air is something you kind of get used to, but touching something that is 32 degrees below zero is memorable in a whole different way!”
