On Jan 1 in weather history...
1864 – Chicago had a high temperature -16°. A farmer near Huntertown, Indiana, reported the same high temperature as Chicago, with a low of -21°. In his weather diary he made the remark "rough day". Minneapolis had a high of -25°. Louisville dropped 67° to a reading of -20°.
1974 -- Mayo, Yukon Territory, reported a barometric pressure of 31.53".