Coldest Iowa caucuses on record threatened voter turnout as arctic blast freezes US
The Iowa caucuses have been held since 1972, and Monday night's event was the coldest on record for the state. The high temperature in Des Moines only hit 1 degree, and the wind chill hovered around 20 below zero.
Coldest Iowa caucuses on record threatened voter turnout as arctic blast freezes US
Iowa is usually chilly in January, but this January brought the coldest caucuses on record for the state. Those records started in 1972.
DES MOINES, Iowa – As Republican candidates made their last pitches to supporters, Old Man Winter threatened to disrupt a year-long campaign as Iowans faced historically cold temperatures to make their voices heard in the first contest of 2024.
The Iowa caucuses have been held since 1972, and Monday night's event was the coldest on record for the state. In 2004, when the previous record was set, the temperature in Des Moines was 16 degrees. The high temperature on Monday only hit 1 degree, and the wind chill hovered around 20 below zero.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, wind gusts over 20 mph were forecast to create feels-like temperatures near -20 degrees, which is dangerous for anyone not well protected from the elements.
"When it’s that cold, and you’re also talking about things that happen at night, this is not a 'go out the middle of the day type of thing,'" said Dr. David Richards, an associate professor and political chair at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia. "It’ll tend to turn some people off. And I think if you are a more casual participant, you might be turned off by the elements."
WEATHER CAN IMPACT VOTER TURNOUT
Richards has studied politics for decades and expects this round of the Iowa caucuses to be subdued compared to recent events because of the weather and the Democrats choosing not to have their presidential contest on the same day as Republicans.
"I just can’t help but think that -20 degrees is going to give some people pause, so it’s going to be a dangerous situation," Richards stated. "I think it’s very different than, ‘Oh, it’s raining, and I don’t want to get wet.’"
Wind chills Monday night.
(FOX Weather)
National Weather Services offices across the Hawkeye State have expressed similar concerns in their winter weather alerts.
"The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. Slow down and use caution if you must travel. Avoid outside activities if possible. When outside, make sure you wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves," the NWS Wind Chill Warning alert stated.
A recent blizzard that dropped 10-15 inches of snow also means there is plenty of snow on the ground to continue to make roads slick and reduce visibility.
A typical morning low on any given Jan. 15 is 13 degrees in Des Moines, and a high can reach the lower 30s. So this forecast is chilly even by Iowa standards.
Forecast for Des Moines, Iowa.
(FOX Weather)
Even though a caucus process may last a few hours, Richards said the events are usually held in community centers, churches and even private homes, which should protect voters from the elements if they do not encounter problems during travel.
After Iowa, New Hampshire will host the next primary contest on Jan. 23, and much like the caucuses, voters in the Granite State will likely face their fair share of winter weather.