The United States is a large country with many different climates. While most of the country is warm, there are a few states that are much colder. In this blog post, we will take a look at the 10 coldest states in the United States. These states can be quite chilly during the winter months, so be sure to pack your warm clothes if you plan on visiting them!
It is common knowledge that the United States has a wide variety of weather conditions. Beaches? Yes, you can find a lot of those in this area. Deserts? You still possess those! The United States sees a wide range of temperatures as a result of the existence of two main climate zones: the Maritime Zone, which covers the east coast, and the Continental Zone, which covers a sizable portion of the country. This zone difference is caused by the interaction of latitude and the dominant winds.
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures grow colder, it’s natural to wonder which states are the coldest in the country. From Alaska to Maine, each state has its own unique climate and set of weather conditions that can make winter particularly chilly. If you’re looking for a place to escape the cold this winter, or if you’re just curious about which states are the coldest, check out this list of the 10 coldest states in the US.
TOP 10 COLDEST STATES IN THE UNITED STATES (2023)
According to average temperature, the 10 coldest states in the USA are shown below.
ALASKA (28.1°F)
Predictably, when it comes to cold weather, Alaska is the coldeststate inUSA. Alaska, enjoys the advantage of being relatively close to the North Pole due to its location in the extreme northwest of North America. Alaska experiences long, icy, snowy, and partially cloudy winters, and frigid, mostly cloudy summers. The warm season lasts for 3.7 months, with July being the hottest month of the year in the state with an average high temperature of 67°F and a low temperature of 55°F. The cold season lasts for 4.0 months, with January being the coldest month of the year with an average low of 13°F and high of 24°F.
Ocean currents have a big impact on Alaska’s extreme weather patterns. The Alaska Current has an impact on the state’s western coast, while a cold ocean current that flows west has an impact on the state’s northern coast. Extreme cold winds from Siberia andnorthern Canadahave an impact on the continental climate in the interior of Alaska, causing these regions to endure unusually low temperatures.
MINNESOTA (33.8°F)
Minnesota is the second coldest state in the USA with an average temperature of 33.8°F. The state has a continental climate, which means that it experiences hot summers and cold winters. The warm season lasts for 3.4 months, with July being the hottest month of the year in Minnesota with an average high temperature of 83°F and a low temperature of 63°F. The cold season lasts for 8.6 months, with January being the coldest month of the year in Minnesota with an average low temperature of 3°F and high temperature of 22°F.
Minnesota is located in the Midwestern United States, which is known for its severe weather. The state is also located in the path of several large weather systems, such as the Arctic air masses that come down from Canada and the Gulf of Mexico. These weather systems often bring extreme temperatures and severe weather to Minnesota.
WYOMING (35.6°F)
Wyoming is the third coldest state in the United States with an average temperature of 35.6°F. Wyoming has a continental climate, which means that it experiences hot summers and cold winters. The warm season lasts for 3.5 months, with July being the hottest month of the year in Wyoming with an average high temperature of 85°F and a low temperature of 65°F. The cold season lasts for 8.5 months, with January being the coldest month of the year in Wyoming with an average low temperature of 5°F and a high temperature of 23°F.
Wyoming is located in the Western United States, which is known for its severe weather. The state is also located in the path of several large weather systems, such as the Arctic air masses that come down from Canada and the Gulf of Mexico. These weather systems often bring extreme temperatures and severe weather to Wyoming.
MONTANA (37.0°F)
Montana is the fourth coldest state in the US with an average temperature of 37.0°F. Montana has a continental climate, which means that it experiences hot summers and cold winters. The warm season lasts for 3.6 months, with July being the hottest month of the year in Montana with an average high temperature of 86°F and a low temperature of 66°F. The cold season lasts for 8.4 months, with January being the coldest month of the year in Montana with an average low temperature of 6°F and a high temperature of 24°F.
Montana is located in the Western United States, which is known for its severe weather. The state is also located in the path of several large weather systems, such as the Arctic air masses that come down from Canada and the Gulf of Mexico. These weather systems often bring extreme temperatures and severe weather to Montana.
NORTH DAKOTA (37.9°F)
North Dakota is the fifth coldest state in the USA with an average temperature of 37.9°F. North Dakota has a continental climate, which means that it experiences hot summers and cold winters. The warm season lasts for 3.7 months, with July being the hottest month of the year in North Dakota with an average high temperature of 87°F and a low temperature of 67°F. The cold season lasts for 8.3 months, with January being the coldest month of the year in North Dakota with an average low temperature of 7°F and a high temperature of 25°F.
North Dakota is located in the Midwestern United States, which is known for its severe weather. The state is also located in the path of several large weather systems, such as the Arctic air masses that come down from Canada and the Gulf of Mexico. These weather systems often bring extreme temperatures and severe weather to North Dakota.
SOUTH DAKOTA (38.3°F)
South Dakota is the sixth coldest state in the United States with an average temperature of 38.3°F. South Dakota has a continental climate, which means that it experiences hot summers and cold winters. The warm season lasts for 3.8 months, with July being the hottest month of the year in South Dakota with an average high temperature of 88°F and a low temperature of 68°F. The cold season lasts for 8.2 months, with January being the coldest month of the year in South Dakota with an average low temperature of 8°F and a high temperature of 26°F.
South Dakota is located in the Midwestern United States, which is known for its severe weather. The state is also located in the path of several large weather systems, such as the Arctic air masses that come down from Canada and the Gulf of Mexico. These weather systems often bring extreme temperatures and severe weather to South Dakota.
NEBRASKA (39.1°F)
Nebraska is the seventh coldest state in the US with an average temperature of 39.1°F. Nebraska has a continental climate, which means that it experiences hot summers and cold winters. The warm season lasts for 3.9 months, with July being the hottest month of the year in Nebraska with an average high temperature of 89°F and a low temperature of 69°F. The cold season lasts for 8.1 months, with January being the coldest month of the year in Nebraska with an average low temperature of 9°F and a high temperature of 27°F.
Nebraska is located in the Midwestern United States, which is known for its severe weather. The state is also located in the path of several large weather systems, such as the Arctic air masses that come down from Canada and the Gulf of Mexico. These weather systems often bring extreme temperatures and severe weather to Nebraska.
VERMONT (43.2°F)
A humid climate characterizes Vermont, with pleasant summers and snowy winters. Vermont’s winter temperatures are significantly influenced by the arctic winds. Vermont is the snowiest state in the US, receiving 89.25 inches of snow year.
The warm season, with daily maximum temperatures often above 70°F, lasts about 3.7 months of the year. With an average daily high temperature below 38°F and a range of 81°F to 62°F, July is the hottest month of the year. January is the coldest month of the year, with an average low of 14°F and high of 29°F. The best time of year to visit Vermont for warm-weather activities is from mid-June through mid-September.
IDAHO (44°F)
Even though Idaho’s western border is 530 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean, the maritime influence on Idaho’s winter climate is still present. The winters in Idaho are moderated by the ocean influence. The state’s eastern region, though, has less of a coastal impact and has a semi-arid continental climate with large seasonal temperature variations.
The hottest month of the year is July, with an average high of 92°F and low of 62°F, while the coldest month is January, with an average low of 25°F and high of 38°F. The best time of year to visit Idaho for warm-weather activities is from late June through early September.
NEW HAMPSHIRE (44.2°F)
New Hampshire experiences severely cold, snowy winters and mild, wet summers, a humid continental climate. The state’s southeastern region, which is heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, has mild winters. In contrast, the state’s northern and mountainous regions, which are heavily influenced by the Arctic winds, have extremely harsh winters. The average annual snowfall in New Hampshire ranges from 150 cm to more than 250 cm.
January is the coldest month of the year, with an average low temperature of 21°F and high temperature of 34°F. With an average high temperature of 79°F and a low temperature of 63°F, July is the warmest month of the year. The best time of year to travel to New Hampshire for warm-weather activities is from late June through mid-September.
CONCLUSION
Although these ten states are among the coldest in the US, traveling in the winter is all about finding the most amazing spots, so be sure to visit each one. Each of these states provides a range of winter attractions to visitors all year round. Utilize the winters in the US.
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FAQs
What is the Top 10 coldest states in America? ›
The coldest states in the US are Alaska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Montana, Maine, Wisconsin, Idaho, Vermont, and Michigan. Alaska is the coldest state in the US, with an average annual temperature of 30.7 F°.
What is the 10th coldest state? ›New Hampshire is the tenth-coldest state in the U.S. The average temperature in New Hampshire is 44.2°F (6.8°C). In January, the state's coldest month, temperatures range from -4°F to 15°F. The northern parts of New Hampshire are affected by strong arctic winds from Canada, causing more aggressive cold fronts.
What states in the US are always cold? ›Consistently cold throughout the year are Maine, Vermont, Montana and Wyoming. Other states make the list of ten coldest in every season but summer. Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota are states that get a break in summer from ranking in the ten coldest.
Which state has the longest winter? ›Alaska has the coldest winters, the coldest summers, the longest winter, the most freezing degree days, etc. Winter lasts from October to March and it stays mostly dark for six months.
What is the coldest place in the lower 48 states? ›Fraser, with an annual mean temperature of 36.0 °F (2.2 °C) (or 34.8 °F (1.6 °C) based on another station in town) is one of the coldest incorporated towns in the lower 48 states.
What state has the coldest summers? ›Alaska has the coldest winters, the coldest summers, the longest winter, the most freezing degree days, and on and on. Temperatures in the -30°s and -40°s are a near daily occurrence from November through March in the interior portion of the state. There is a very simple reason for this.
What states have no winter? ›According to the NWS analysis, the only three states without snow cover were Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
What state has the best weather? ›What state has the best weather? Many cities in southern and central California like San Diego and Santa Barbara have year-round temperatures typically between 60 and 85 degrees and see little rainfall, making California the state with the best weather!
What part of USA is coldest? ›1. Fairbanks, Alaska. With a minimum average temperature of about minus 17 degrees Fahrenheit, Fairbanks takes the cake as the coldest city in the U.S. The northernmost major city in Alaska, Fairbanks has seen record cold temperatures reaching minus 66 degrees in the past.
Where in the US does it never freeze? ›Most locations in Hawaii are genuinely tropical and never experience frost. The temperature in Honolulu only rarely drops below 60 degrees. The other frost-free place in the United States is the central and southern parts of the Florida Keys.
What month is the coldest in USA? ›
Most prominently, the portion of the United States west of the continental divide (the West) typically reaches its climatological coldest day in December, whereas most of the East reaches its seasonal minimum in January.
What states have the worst summers? ›- MIAMI, FLORIDA. ...
- NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA. ...
- DALLAS, TEXAS. ...
- MOBILE, ALABAMA. ...
- CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS.
The snowiest state of all is New Hampshire, which gets an average of 174.35 inches of snow each year. This is followed by Maine, which gets 92 inches annually and Vermont, with 80.2 inches. Alaska and Wyoming come next, with 79.6 and 77.33 inches respectively.
What states have the most bad weather? ›- Worst Weather States in the U.S. Certain states are lucky – they have mild temperatures year-round and extreme weather comes only a couple of times per year. ...
- California.
- Minnesota.
- Illinois.
- Colorado.
- South Dakota.
- Kansas.
- Washington.
Florida. The Sunshine State is known for warm weather, so it's not surprising that snowfall is extremely rare. Winters in Florida are usually among the mildest in the U.S. with temperatures averaging between the low 60s and the mid-70s.
What state has the biggest one day snowfall? ›Most Snow Measured in One Day
If you were 6 feet tall and standing outside for 24 hours in Silver Lake, Colorado, April 14-15, 1921, you would've been buried by snow from head to toe. That location recorded 6.3 feet of snow in a single day at an elevation of 10,220 feet in the Colorado Rockies, according to NOAA.
...
Lowest Temperatures.
| City | 0 °F -18 °C | 10 °F -12 °C |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, Missouri | 1 | 7 |
- Eastern Antarctic Plateau, Antarctica (-94°C) ...
- Vostok Station Antarctica (-89.2°C) ...
- Amundsen-Scott Station, Antarctica (-82.8°C) ...
- Denali, Alaska, United States of America (-73°C) ...
- Klinck station, Greenland (-69.6°C) ...
- Oymyakon, Siberia, Russia (-67.7°C)
The capital city of the vast (1.2 million square miles) Siberian region known as the Sakha Republic, Yakutsk is widely identified as the world's coldest city.
What's the hottest city in the US? ›...
| Rank | City | Mean Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Key West, FL | 78.1°F |
| 2 | Miami, FL | 76.7°F |
| 3 | Yuma, AZ | 75.3°F |
| 4 | West Palm Beach, FL | 75.3°F |
Has it ever snowed in Florida? ›
January 3, 2022: Light snow was reported in the early morning hours across Walton County in the Florida Panhandle. January 16, 2022: Light flurries were reported at 6:40 am CST in McDavid, Florida. Additional light snow flurries were reported throughout the morning in northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Where does it get cold but doesn't snow? ›Where In The World Has It Never Snowed? The Dry Valleys, Antarctica: Surprisingly, one of the coldest continents (Antarctica) is also home to a place that's never seen snow. Known as the “Dry Valleys,” the region is one of the driest places on Earth and hasn't seen rainfall for an estimated 2 million years.
What state has the warmest winters? ›Hawaii rises to the top of the list in winter, with average monthly temperatures well above those of any other state. But when the North American continent heats up in summer, Hawaii maintains a steady temperature.
What state has the hottest summer? ›1. Florida. Florida is the hottest state in the U.S., with an average annual temperature of 71.5°F (21.9°C) between 1991 and 2020. It is the southernmost contiguous U.S. state with a subtropical climate in its northern and central regions and a tropical climate in its southern regions.
Which city in the US has the best weather? ›The No. 1 city with the best weather in the U.S.? Honolulu, Hawaii. Honolulu took the top spot with an average annual temperature of 77.7 degrees. While the city endures an average of 93 rainy days per year, it also averages 90 sunny days and zero days where the temperature dips below freezing.
What states have beautiful winters? ›- Boulder, Colorado.
- Savannah GA in Winter.
- Joshua Tree in Winter.
- Key West, Florida.
- Leavenworth, WA.
- New York in Winter.
- North Pole, Alaska.
- Lake Tahoe in Winter.
In the United States in 2021, Mississippi recorded 66.84 inches of precipitation, the highest amount of within the contiguous 48 states that year. Nevada was the driest state, with only 9.56 inches of precipitation recorded.
Where is the cheapest warm place to live? ›- Baton Rouge, Louisiana. ...
- Little Rock, Arkansas. ...
- Mobile, Alabama. ...
- Columbus, Georgia. ...
- Memphis, Tennessee. Average weather summer: 74°F to 91°F. ...
- Shreveport, Louisiana. Average weather summer: 72°F to 90°F. ...
- Birmingham, Alabama. Average weather summer: 72°F to 90°F. ...
- Jackson, Mississippi. Average weather summer: 73°F to 92°F.
The ten states in the U.S. with the best weather are California, Hawaii, Texas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Delaware, North Carolina, and Louisiana.
What is the sunniest state? ›The sunniest state of all: Arizona
There's a reason why so many people migrate to Arizona and don't fly back for the winter. Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff are all in the top 25 sunniest cities in the US, and Phoenix ranks #1 with an annual sunshine rate of 85.8%.
Where should I live if I hate winter? ›
- Hawaii. If you want to live somewhere warm, but not blazing hot, year-round, you can't beat Hawaii. ...
- California. ...
- Texas. ...
- Arizona. ...
- Florida. ...
- South Carolina.
Located in California's Central Valley, Fresno is one of the best cities for winter because of its ample sunshine and moderate temperatures. With an average winter high of 59 degrees, Fresno boasts with a year-round pleasant climate.
What is the best place to live if you like snow? ›- of 16. Leavenworth, Washington. ...
- of 16. Telluride, Colorado. ...
- of 16. Bozeman, Montana. ...
- of 16. Bethel, Maine. ...
- of 16. South Lake Tahoe, California. ...
- of 16. Taos, New Mexico. ...
- of 16. Whistler, British Columbia. ...
- of 16. Crested Butte, Colorado.
There are really only two main regions in Africa that produce snowfall on a somewhat regular basis. South Africa and Lesotho. South Africa is the southernmost country in the continent of Africa and it is home to many ecosystems.
Has Hawaii ever had snow? ›Hawaii has, however, experienced some record-crashing snowfalls. In 1938 – Mount Haleakala experienced a snow carpet of up to approximately 6 inches. In 2016 – Mount Mauna Kea was capped by nearly 2 feet of snow. And in 2021, all three mountain peaks (Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Haleakala) recorded a blanket of snow.
Does it snow in Jamaica? ›Jamaica experiences extreme seasonal variation in monthly snowfall. The snowy period of the year lasts for 6.1 months, from October 24 to April 28, with a sliding 31-day snowfall of at least 1.0 inches. The month with the most snow in Jamaica is February, with an average snowfall of 15.1 inches.
What will be the coldest day in 2023? ›Don't worry, it exists and it's coming. An astonishing -62.4°C was recorded in Tongulakh, Siberia on January 14th. In addition to becoming Earth's coldest temperature recorded in 2023, the all-time station record was broken in Tongulakh.
Are US winters getting colder? ›According to Climate Central, in the last half-century, winters in the U.S. have warmed an average of 3 degrees, with some northern states warming as much as 5 degrees. But at the same time, global warming can cause winters to be colder and more severe.
What's the coldest month in Florida? ›January is the coolest month of the year in Florida, with average lows of around 49 F (around 10 C) in Orlando. However, temperatures in the middle of the day can hit 74 F in the Florida Keys (around 23 C), making it possible to spend plenty of time exploring the great outdoors.
Which state is very coldest? ›Coldest Place in India: Dras Valley, Jammu and Kashmir
Dras is situated in Kargil town in Ladakh and is both the coldest and second-coldest inhabited area in all of India. The “Gateway to Ladakh” refers to its elevation of 3280 metres above sea level.
What are the 2 coldest cities? ›
- Fairbanks, Alaska (27.6°F)
- Duluth, Minnesota (39.6°F) ...
- Grand Forks, North Dakota (39.8°F) ...
- Williston, North Dakota (41.5°F) ...
- Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (41.7°F) ...
The snowiest state of all is New Hampshire, which gets an average of 174.35 inches of snow each year. This is followed by Maine, which gets 92 inches annually and Vermont, with 80.2 inches. Alaska and Wyoming come next, with 79.6 and 77.33 inches respectively.
Where is it the coldest to live? ›Winter temperatures in Oymyakon, Russia, average minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 50 degrees Celsius). The remote village is generally considered the coldest inhabited area on Earth.
What state has the best winter? ›- Florida.
- Nevada.
- New Mexico.
- South Carolina.
- Texas.
- Delaware.
- Hawaii.
- What's Your Pick for winter?
- 10 U.S. states with the least snowfall per year. According to the National Weather Service, the following states typically average the least snowfall per year:
- Hawaii. ...
- Florida. ...
- Louisiana. ...
- Alabama. ...
- Mississippi. ...
- Georgia. ...
- Texas.
Much like Florida, Hawaii's average yearly snowfall is non-existent. It also boasts highs in the 80s and lows in the upper 60s.
What state has the coolest summers? ›Alaska is one of the coolest states in the USA in summer. However, Fairbanks offers very pleasant summer temperatures with average daily highs in the high 60s. The hottest month of the year is July, with an average high of 72°F. There is no humidity.
What state has the worst weather year round? ›Texas has the worst weather by far.
What city is the coldest in the US right now? ›...
Lowest Temperatures.
| City | 0 °F -18 °C | 10 °F -12 °C |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, Missouri | 1 | 7 |