Final answer:
The statement that the temperature was -79.8 degrees Fahrenheit means that it was 79.8 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, indicating an extreme cold condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lowest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. was -79.8 degrees Fahrenheit in Prospect Creek, Alaska. When we say the temperature was -79.8°F, it means that the temperature was 79.8°F less than zero on the Fahrenheit scale. This is significantly colder than the freezing point of water (32°F) and is considered an extreme weather condition.