Cold weather can be a cozy change of pace from increasingly-hot summers, and is often welcomed in many parts of the country. People especially look forward to blissfully snowy winters in northern states, where winter wonderlands are the norm. Unfortunately, cold weather is becoming rarer.
June was the Earth’s 13th consecutive month breaking a global heat record. In the U.S., the 2023-24 winter was the warmest ever, with many calling it the “lost winter.” Snowfall was especially rare, made worse by a strong El-Nino climate pattern. Record-breaking heat followed in the summer.
So, as temperatures rise and people begin to yearn for cool weather, we thought it would be helpful to break down the coldest states in the U.S. Whether you’re looking to escape the heat or find states to avoid, this list is for you.
How do we measure the coldest states?
For our purposes of determining the “coldest” states, this list will focus on states that have the lowest average annual temperature. We will also be including a state’s average winter temperature, but won’t use it for ranking purposes.
An average annual temperature combines a state’s annual average daily high and low temperatures and averages them into one number. An average winter temperature combines a state’s average daily high and low temperatures from December-February.
Note: It’s important to remember that our rankings account for the entire state, not just one city. You may think of a state as cold because a city in that state has a reputation for low temperatures (i.e. Duluth, Missoula). However, other cities within that same state may experience much warmer weather, which brings the overall state average up.
What are the coldest states in the U.S.?
1. Alaska
- Average annual temperature: 28.0°F
- Average winter temperature: 6.8°F
- Record lowest temperature: -80°F
Unsurprisingly, Alaska is the coldest state in the U.S. The massive northern state known for spectacular natural beauty spans well into the Arctic Circle and has seen the coldest temperatures recorded in the Americas. Prospect Creek Camp, north of Fairbanks, experienced the record-lowest temperature of -80°F in January 1971.
The coldest town in Alaska is likely Utqiagvik (Barrow) on the northern tip of the state, but Fairbanks is the coldest major city. Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city.
Contrary to the rest of the U.S., Alaska actually saw a cold winter in 2023/24. Anchorage recorded its second-highest ever snowfall and had weeks of near-zero temperatures. Juneau and Fairbanks fared similarly, though with less snow. Remarkably, though, it was still a warmer-than-normal winter for the state. This shouldn’t be surprising: Alaska is warming twice as fast as the rest of the U.S. The northern third of the state, in particular, has warmed by 6.0°F since 1971 – three-times faster than the global average.
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2. North Dakota
- Average annual temperature: 41.4°F
- Average winter temperature: 13.8°F
- Record lowest temperature: -60°F
North Dakota is the second-coldest state in the U.S., and the coldest in the lower 48. Even though the state is fairly cold on average, it’s especially cold because of frigid blasts of winter Arctic air (a cold front). During a cold front, temperatures can drop dangerously low, especially when factoring in wind chill.
Grand Forks is generally considered the coldest city in North Dakota, but Parshall saw the state’s record lowest temperature in February 1936. Most of the state struggles to get above zero degrees in January.
Many cities on the flat Great Plains experience large temperature differences and are very susceptible to weather fronts. Bismarck, for example, has a 159°F difference between its highest and lowest temperatures, and in the summer, North Dakota is just the 13th coldest state. However, extremely cold winters bring the statewide average temperature down significantly.
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3. Minnesota
- Average annual temperature: 41.9°F
- Average winter temperature: 14.1°F
- Record lowest temperature: -60°F
A state full of lakes, prairies, and midwest charm, Minnesota comes in as the second-coldest state in the U.S. Minnesota is full of people-first cities that value community and health. Minneapolis, the largest city in the state, is a good example of this; it’s the best place to live in Minnesota, as well as the most bikeable city in the country.
If you’re thinking about buying a home in Minneapolis, the median house price is $351,000 (June 2024), below the national median. Nearby Saint Paul is even more affordable.
Along with its northern location, Minnesota is so cold largely because of bitter cold fronts from Canada. However, Minnesota’s coast along Lake Superior is also a major factor