Historic cold on Valentine’s Day

By Bianca Buono

bbuono@abc6.com

@BBuonoABC6

Love is in the freezing cold air in Providence.

"We’re not going for a walk,” said Paul and Paulette Thomas of Cranston while out in Federal Hill.

"It’s really cold. We were supposed to walk here. I live right down the street but it was too cold to walk,” said Charlotte Grimm and Richard Grenier.

It’s the coldest Valentine’s Day in Rhode Island’s history with the temperature dipping to a historic -9 degrees in Providence. The last time it was even close to this cold was -7 in 1979.

And the holiday of love is no stranger to the not-so-warm embrace of severe weather. Last year, a major snow storm hit and it ruined one of the biggest nights of the year for the restaurant industry.

"We were snowed out the Saturday and then Sunday and Monday were complete wastes so we didn’t do anything,” said Armando Bisceglia, General Manger of Trattoria Zooma.

But Bisceglia said this year’s arctic blast isn’t stopping anyone from celebrating.

"We have had numerous people coming in and out… phone calls every 30-45 seconds,” Bisceglia said.

This couple had their first date at Trattoria Zooma so they weren’t about to let a little cold get in their way on Valentine’s Day.

"It’s fine. We’ll brace the cold to have some fun,” said Charlotte Grimm of Providence.

And Bisceglia says he’ll take the cold over the snow any day.

"The roads are clean people are out. Inside it’s always a good 75-80 degrees so have a glass of wine and enjoy your night,” he said.

Several restaurants in the area expect couples to celebrate Monday as well.

© WLNE-TV 2016