Extremely cold weather that had plagued Quebec since the beginning of the year worsened, with morning temperatures of twenty-six below freezing reported. In Quebec City, the wind blew strongly under clear blue skies, bringing extreme discomfort to citizens in the streets. The mercury had not come close to reaching the freezing point over the previous seven days. (By John Osborne)
Source Citation
"From Canada; The Weather in Quebec," New York Times, January 17, 1861.