Northern Exposures

A clironicle of low temperatures and Jeep drilts

1771

Dr. Wheelock endures the worst winter of his life. Snowfall totals five feet.

1853

On October 22 the temperature is a balmy 72 degrees. Three inches of snow fall the next day.

1878

"Ten inches of snow is reported in Canada and northern Vermont," writes TheDartmouth. "Don't be envious of the people there, we can soon do better than that here."

1879

1920

A snowstorm causes Dartmouth to cancel classes for the first time since 1888, because students living outside of town can't make it to campus without snowshoes.

1949

Data collected by Professor R.H. Goddard prove something that students already know: Frequent overcast days in November and December limit the total sunshine for those months, on average, to less than 100 hours.

1978

A single storm drops 36 inches of snow on Hanover. Classes are canceled.

1979-80

The winter goes down in the record books for a measly 0.2 inches of snow. The Killington ski area lends the College snow-making machinery so a Carnival statue can be built on the Green. Excess snow is tracked to the golf course so ski jumping can take place.

1988

In a quiz on traditions, this magazine fabricates the "Jack Frost" ritual. The faux winter rite involves a swim in the Connecticut and a race to hang a wreath on the door of the president's house. A number of alumni write in, recalling the tradition. Several claim to have won the race.

1996

Because of a late ice-out, the crew teams can't row on the Connecticut River until March 26, more than a month after the competition begins practicing on the Charles. Since 1976 there have been three years in which the crew has had to wait until mid-April before getting on liquid water.

Students won't swim in Occom Pond until it freezes over.