Chilly climate generally is a cozy change of tempo from more and more sizzling summers, and is commonly welcomed in lots of components of the nation. Individuals particularly look ahead to blissfully snowy winters in northern states, the place winter wonderlands are the norm. Sadly, chilly climate is turning into rarer as temperatures rise.
From 2023-2024, Earth skilled an astonishing 16 consecutive months of worldwide warmth data. On the finish of final 12 months, 2024 was not too long ago declared as the most well liked 12 months in human historical past, and the most well liked in a minimum of 100,000 years.
The current 2024-25 winter proved a lot colder within the U.S. (though nonetheless hotter than common). However within the normally frigid Arctic, winter was marked by hovering temperatures and record-low ice extent. Plus, the winter of 2023-24 was the warmest ever within the U.S., with many calling it the “lost winter.”
So, as summer season warmth looms, we thought it will be useful to interrupt down the coldest states within the U.S. Whether or not you’re trying to escape the warmth or discover states to keep away from, this record is for you.
How will we measure the coldest states?
For our functions of figuring out the “coldest” states, this record will deal with states which have the bottom common annual temperature. We may also be together with a state’s common winter temperature, however gained’t use it for rating functions.
What are the coldest states within the U.S.?
Alaska
North Dakota
Minnesota
Maine
Wyoming
Montana
Vermont
Idaho
New Hampshire
Wisconsin
1. Alaska
Common annual temperature: 28.1°F
Common winter temperature: 7°F
Document lowest temperature: -80°F
Unsurprisingly, Alaska is the coldest state within the U.S. The large northern state recognized for spectacular pure magnificence spans properly into the Arctic Circle and has seen the coldest temperatures recorded within the Americas. Prospect Creek Camp, north of Fairbanks, skilled the record-lowest temperature of -80°F in January 1971.
The coldest city in Alaska is probably going Utqiagvik (Barrow) on the northern tip of the state, however Fairbanks is the coldest main metropolis. Anchorage is Alaska’s largest metropolis, house to every little thing from native native meals to trendy tech corporations. Local weather patterns vary dramatically throughout the state, from fixed rain and snow alongside the southern coasts, to drier and extra different circumstances in Central Alaska.
Opposite to the remainder of the U.S., Alaska really noticed its third-warmest winter on file in 2024/25. The season was marked by snow-free slopes, an unseasonably heat February, and altered winter sport occasions. This shouldn’t be stunning: Alaska is warming twice as quick as the remainder of the U.S. The northern third of the state, specifically, has warmed by 6.0°F since 1971 – three-times quicker than the worldwide common.
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2. North Dakota
Common annual temperature: 41.2°F
Common winter temperature: 13.7°F
Document lowest temperature: -60°F
North Dakota is the second-coldest state within the U.S., and the coldest within the decrease 48. Although the state is pretty chilly on common, it’s particularly chilly due to frigid blasts of winter Arctic air (a chilly entrance). Throughout a chilly entrance, temperatures can drop dangerously low, particularly when factoring in wind chill.
Grand Forks is usually thought of the coldest metropolis in North Dakota, however Parshall noticed the state’s file lowest temperature in February 1936. A lot of the state struggles to get above zero levels in January.
Many cities on the flat Nice Plains expertise giant temperature variations and are very vulnerable to climate fronts. Bismarck, for instance, has a 159°F distinction between its highest and lowest temperatures. In the summertime, North Dakota is simply the thirteenth coldest state. Nevertheless, extraordinarily chilly winters convey the statewide common temperature down considerably.
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3. Minnesota
Common annual temperature: 42°F
Common winter temperature: 14°F
Document lowest temperature: -60°F
A state filled with lakes, prairies, and midwest attraction, Minnesota is available in because the second-coldest state within the U.S. Minnesota is filled with people-first cities that worth neighborhood and well being. Minneapolis, the biggest metropolis within the state, is an effective instance of this; it’s the perfect place to reside in Minnesota, in addition to essentially the most bikeable metropolis within the nation.
Together with its northern location, Minnesota is so chilly largely due to bitter chilly fronts from Canada. That is how Tower, a small city in North-Central Minnesota, noticed its -60°F file low.
Minnesota’s frigid neighbor, Lake Superior, additionally performs a serious position. The lake has a marine affect that helps hold coastal temperatures from getting as bitterly chilly through the winter or as sizzling through the summer season. This typically means extra snow and colder annual temperatures general. Duluth, situated on the western tip of Lake Superior, is likely one of the coldest and snowiest cities within the nation because of this.
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4. Maine
Common annual temperature: 42.3°F
Common winter temperature: 19.6°F
Document lowest temperature: -50°F
Maine, a notoriously chilly and moist state, is fourth on our record. The Pine Tree State sees each bitterly chilly winters and really gentle summers, largely due to its proximity to the chilly northern Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic helps reasonable temperatures all through Maine, particularly alongside the coast, maintaining them cooler in the summertime.
Sturdy storms (typically Nor’easters) and arctic blasts normally have an effect on the state each fall and winter. Northern Inside Maine is commonly the toughest hit and usually sees the coldest temperatures.
Nevertheless, local weather change is threatening Maine greater than most different states. Heavier however extra rare rain and snow occasions, a warming Atlantic, and growing drought are among the main points. Like Minnesota, Maine additionally noticed its warmest 12 months on file in 2024.
Maine is thought for its out of doors recreation, close-knit communities, and fantastic delicacies. Lobster fishing is very common and makes distinctive native dishes like lobster rolls potential. Portland is the biggest metropolis in Maine.
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5. Wyoming
Common annual temperature: 42.5°F
Common winter temperature: 22.4°F
Document lowest temperature: -66°F
Wyoming is the fifth-coldest state within the U.S. Curiously, Wyoming is the coldest state through the summer season (other than Alaska), primarily due to its very excessive elevation. Temperatures not often attain 100°F wherever within the state. Nevertheless, chilly fronts usually don’t impression Wyoming as dramatically as they do states on the decrease plains, resulting in milder winters. Wind chill is a significant component, although.
Bondurant, close to Jackson, is the coldest city in Wyoming, whereas Cheyenne is the biggest metropolis.
Wyoming is thought for its out of doors recreation and pure magnificence, significantly at Yellowstone and Grand Teton Nationwide Parks. All through the state, large mountain ranges make means for extensive open prairies the place grassland stretches for miles. There’s even deserts in central and southern Wyoming. Pleasant communities and quaint cities are the cherry on prime.
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6. Montana
Common annual temperature: 42.8°F
Common winter temperature: 22.1°F
Document lowest temperature: -70°F
Montana isn’t known as Large Sky Nation for nothing. In all places you look, expansive plains, sprawling forests, and towering mountains give strategy to views of clear, lovely skies. The state is wealthy with historical past, too. Mining, ranching, farming, and smelting had been all necessary to Montana’s progress within the late nineteenth century, which was jump-started by new railroad traces.
Montana’s excessive elevation helps hold the state cooler through the summer season months, however typically shields it from the worst of chilly arctic air. Many areas can attain extraordinarily low temperatures within the winter if circumstances are proper, although. Montana really noticed the bottom recorded temperature within the decrease 48 states when Rogers Move reached -70°F on the morning of January 1954, resulting from recent snow, arctic air, and uncharacteristically clear skies.
When you’re considering of creating the transfer, there are lots of nice choices. Missoula is the perfect place to reside in Montana, whereas the biggest metropolis within the state is Billings. Nevertheless, each metropolis is comparatively small and has a number of character. Bozeman and Whitefish are particularly common amongst homebuyers. An acute housing scarcity might make it tough to discover a house, although.
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7. Vermont
Common annual temperature: 43.5°F
Common winter temperature: 21°F
Document lowest temperature: -50°F
Vermont is a quintessential New England state recognized for its distinct seasons, colourful forested mountains, and colonial historical past. The numerous mountains outline each the state’s panorama and local weather – winds coming from the Gulf of Mexico, Canada, and Atlantic Ocean work together with the mountains to supply totally different climate. For instance, within the winter, chilly air from Canada typically collides with moist air from the Atlantic, producing heavy snow. Climate can change incessantly everyday.
Sutton, a mountain city in northern Vermont, is the coldest city within the state. Nicely over 100 inches of snow falls there yearly.
Fall is the perfect time to go to Vermont when forests flip into multicolored blankets. Crisp, cool climate and crunchy leaves below your ft makes exploring the state’s historic cities and leisurely hikes way more pleasing.
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8. Idaho
Common annual temperature: 44.1°F
Common winter temperature: 25.9°F
Document lowest temperature: -60°F
Idaho is thought for its world-famous potatoes, dramatic landscapes, and plentiful out of doors recreation. Its rugged mountains assist create a cool panorama year-round, particularly in the summertime. Winters can get exceptionally chilly, too, however the southern components of the state are shielded on either side by mountain ranges, resulting in milder winters. Essentially the most excessive climate happens within the northern and central mountain ranges.
Stanley, a small city on the base of the Sawtooth Mountains in Central Idaho, is well the coldest city in Idaho. In reality, it’s typically the coldest city within the continental U.S. From 1996-2015, Stanley recorded the nation’s lowest temperature 522 occasions. Most of those data occurred in the summertime.
The bottom temperature recorded in Idaho occurred at Island Park Dam in January 1945, when the thermometer dipped to -60°F. The most important metropolis in Idaho, Boise, not often will get extraordinarily chilly however can see sizzling summers. Southwestern Idaho is usually the warmest a part of the state.
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9. New Hampshire
Common annual temperature: 44.5°F
Common winter temperature: 22.6°F
Document lowest temperature: -50°F
New Hampshire is available in at quantity 9 on our record of the coldest states. House to quaint colonial cities, verdant forests, and the windy White Mountains, New Hampshire is a pure paradise. Driving alongside the Kancamagus Scenic Byway supplies the perfect views of New Hampshire’s magnificence.
New Hampshire’s local weather is pretty gentle alongside the Atlantic coast and far colder additional north and west. Chilly fronts are likely to impression your entire state and might result in vital snowfall. Summers are heat and humid close to the water and cooler within the mountains, however this heat is spreading. New Hampshire has warmed by 2.2°F in comparison with Twentieth-century averages.
The most effective issues to do in New Hampshire is go to its many historic European cities, most of that are alongside the coast. Berlin, Londonderry, and Rye are all nice locations to be transported to the previous.
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10. Wisconsin
Common annual temperature: 44.6°F
Common winter temperature: 19°F
Document lowest temperature: -55°F
Well-known for dairy and soccer, Wisconsin rounds out our record of the coldest states within the U.S. 2024 was really the state’s warmest 12 months on file, like most different Midwestern and Northeastern states.
Wisconsin’s local weather is chilly, however a lot milder than close by Minnesota and North Dakota. Winters are over 5°F hotter than North Dakota, for instance, largely as a result of it’s additional south. Lake Superior to the north and Lake Michigan to the east assist reasonable temperatures alongside their coasts, too. Blasts of arctic air can have an effect on your entire state, however northern cities are usually hit the toughest. Heavy snow is widespread when a chilly entrance comes from the northwest.
Couderay, a city within the north-central area, has reached the state’s record-low of -55°F twice, each in February 1996.
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How is chilly climate altering?
The earth is warming rapidly, however winter temperatures have been off the charts. In reality, winter is the fastest-warming season within the U.S., with many cities seeing dramatically shorter seasons and lowering snowpacks. And in particularly chilly locations, temperatures are literally growing the quickest. The Arctic Circle has warmed practically 4 occasions quicker than wherever else.
Some of the excessive examples of winter warmth occurred in South America in 2023. Temperatures in components of the Chilean Andes rose to an unbelievable 102°F (38.9°C) in mid-winter, over 50°F above regular. Earlier, in 2021, rain fell on the summit of the Greenland ice cap for possible the primary time in human historical past.
This speedy warming is intensifying local weather change and already inflicting international impacts, equivalent to strained water provides and meals insecurity. Winter recreation and trade are additionally altering rapidly. For instance, Elfstedentocht, a famed out of doors ice skating race within the Netherlands, hasn’t occurred in practically 20 years and certain gained’t once more.
Sadly, as temperatures rise, analysis reveals that the coldest states will get hotter.
Methodology
Knowledge comes from the Nationwide Facilities for Environmental Info (NCEI) and its guardian administration, the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Common annual temperatures are a twelve-month common based mostly on knowledge from 1995-2024. Common winter temperatures are a three-month common based mostly on knowledge from December-February, 1995/96-2024/25. Document-low temperature knowledge discovered right here.
A mean annual temperature combines a state’s annual common each day excessive and low temperatures and averages them into one quantity. A mean winter temperature combines a state’s common each day excessive and low temperatures from December-February and averages them into one quantity.
