Brrr!, photo by loungelistener

The Icebox of the North page on the city of Pellston web site says that since Pellston recorded the State of Michigan’s record low temperature of -53° F. in 1933, it has been known as the Icebox (disclaimer: The Federal Trademark “Icebox of the Nation” is held by International Falls, MN).

With temperatures in Pellston well below zero for an average of around 40 days each winter, and beginning each November averaging the coldest temperatures in the state, it continues to be one of the coldest places in the nation. Many people nationwide hear the name of Pellston on their local weather each morning in the winter, along with towns like Big Piney, Wyoming, Fraser, Colorado and International Falls, Minnesota, it is continually called out as one of the coldest spots.

The record lows and the continuous cold streaks in Pellston are caused by a unique geography, as the village sits in a basin of sand between two vast semi-circular hill ranges. As the Maple River passes thru the basin, evaporation causes dense daytime cloud-cover, reflecting much of the suns heat away from the valley. As night falls and the air cools, those low-level clouds disperse allowing most of the remaining heat to radiate up and out of the basin.

If you grew up in Pellston, there’s a Facebook group for you.

Check this sign and many (many) more out bigger in Gary’s Michigan, My Michigan slideshow.