Record Cold over Plains - December 1989

There were multiple intrusions of arctic air into the CONUS during December 1989. However on December 22-23, the coldest of the surges migrated into the eastern half of the U.S.  At 12Z on December 22, the 500 hPa analysis depicted a well established PNA pattern featuring a positively tilted trough over the eastern U.S. with it's axis west of the Mississippi River. As with previously depicted cold outbreaks, the 850 hPa SDs provided the clue as to where the coldest surface temperatures would be recorded. In this case it was over the central and southern plains. Kansas City, MO established their all-time record cold temperature of -23F on December 22 and again on the 23rd.  Dallas , TX recorded it's 3rd all time coldest temperature during this episode with a reading of -1F on December 23.