This scenario occurred 40 years ago and is set to repeat on Monday.

Donald J. Trump’s inauguration will be held indoors due to the forecast of frigid temperatures, as the president-elect disclosed in a statement on Friday.

“The upcoming weather in Washington, D.C., particularly with windchill, poses a risk of seriously low temperatures. An Arctic cold front is affecting the area. My priority is the safety of everyone involved—no one should be harmed or injured.”

“The weather is hazardous for the many Law Enforcement officials, First Responders, Police K9s, horses, and the hundreds of thousands expected to attend outside for prolonged periods on the 20th (if you choose to come, make sure to dress warmly!).

“Thus, I have decided that the Inaugural Address, along with prayers and other speeches, will take place in the United States Capitol Rotunda, just as it was for Ronald Reagan in 1985, due to similarly severe cold conditions.”

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies confirmed on Friday that they will comply with the President-elect’s request to relocate the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies to the Capitol Rotunda.

Reagan’s event also took place indoors

Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration on January 20, 1985, was also moved indoors because of extreme cold. As YSL News reported that day, “The USA’s 50th inauguration has been relocated indoors due to freezing temperatures that posed a threat to 350,000 guests and parade spectators.”

What was the temperature in January 1985 in Washington, D.C.? The overnight low dropped to -3 degrees, rising only to 17 degrees by late afternoon, according to YSL News.

This year, the risk of freezing temperatures is present again, with wind chills anticipated to be in the single digits.

What does the forecast say?

On Monday, the predicted high is roughly 20 degrees, with wind gusts reaching 30 mph, resulting in bitterly cold wind chills throughout the day and dropping below zero at night, the National Weather Service reported.

The forecasted high for Inauguration Day could set a record for the coldest temperature on that day, as indicated by Weather.com meteorologist Sara Tonks.

What is typical weather for inaugurations?

The average high temperature in Washington on January 20 is typically 45 degrees, based on data from 1991 to 2020, as stated by the weather service. The average low is around 30 degrees, usually occurring at dawn. At noon, when the oath is taken, the average temperature tends to be 37 degrees.

What transpired in 1985?

The L.A. Times reported that President Reagan received warnings from medical and military experts that “exposed skin can freeze within five to ten minutes” under the expected conditions, presenting considerable risks to all participants and spectators at the events.

“The health and safety of everyone attending and working at these outdoor events must take precedence over any festive activities,” he stated.

“It was a sensible decision by the president to cancel it,” remarked corps director Peter LaFlamme from the Spartan Drum and Bugle Corps in New Hampshire, reflecting on the canceled parade.

“It was not humane to hold it.”

A tumultuous history with weather

Severe weather and Inauguration Day have a long history of disruption: The intensely cold and wet conditions on March 4, 1841, even contributed to the demise of President William Henry Harrison, who chose not to wear a hat or coat during his lengthy inaugural address, leading to pneumonia and ultimately his passing a month later.

Describing the conditions during William Howard Taft’s inauguration in March 1909, one congressman remarked about the heavy snowfall, low temperatures, and strong winds that almost buried the ceremony. This event was forced indoors due to the blizzard, the Library of Congress notes.

In the 1930s, Inauguration Day was moved from March 4 to January 20, partly to reduce chances of inclement weather. Though January is chillier, it statistically has a lower chance of rain or snow in the Washington area.

Here are the weather records for inaugurations since 1937, when the first January inauguration occurred, according to the National Weather Service:

◾ Warmest: 1981—Ronald Reagan’s first inauguration, with a noon temperature of 55 degrees.

◾ Coldest: 1985—Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration, with a noon temperature of 7 degrees, which required the ceremony to be held indoors.

◾ Rainiest: 1937—Franklin D. Roosevelt’s second inauguration, which saw 1.77 inches of rainfall.

◾ Snowiest: 1961—Before John F. Kennedy’s swearing-in, eight inches of snow fell.

◾ Warmest non-traditional date: August 9, 1974—Gerald Ford’s inauguration occurred with a temperature of 89 degrees and partly cloudy conditions.

Contributing: Joseph Garrison, Zachary Anderson.