Deep Freeze: Each U.S. State’s Coldest Ever-Recorded Temperature

The United States spans a vast and varied geography from tropical beaches in Hawaii to the icy tundra of Alaska, resulting in a wide range of climate extremes. Among the most striking of these are the record-setting low temperatures that have been documented across the country. From the frigid depths of Prospect Creek, Alaska, to the snow-covered plains of Minnesota, each state has its own coldest moment etched in meteorological history, with the date recorded by NOAA’s State Climate Extremes Committee.

The coldest regions of the United States, based on historical minimum recorded temperatures, are primarily in the North and the Interior West, where Arctic air can settle in winter. Some of the coldest regions in the U.S. are Interior Alaska, the Northern Plains region, the Mountain West, Upper Midwest, and Northern New England. These regions are so cold due to four factors. First, their latitude and their location are farther north, closer to the Arctic Circle. Second, their Elevation is higher; therefore, the air cools faster and also retains the cold air. Third, they are farther away from large bodies of water, such as oceans. The lack of nearby warm water means less heat retention in winter. Lastly, these regions have valleys and basins that trap cold air, especially under high-pressure systems. Some notable cold spots in the continental U.S. include Montana (70°F), Minnesota (-60°F), and Colorado (-61°F). The coldest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. was in Alaska in 1971 with a temperature of -80°F.

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Coldest Temperatures by State and Region

Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont have all recorded temperatures as low as -50°F. New York has the coldest recorded temperature in the region, at -52°F. Photo Credit: maps.weatherbell.com

Northeast

Connecticut: -32°F in Coventry on January 22, 1961. Other lows include Falls Village (-32°F, Feb 16, 1943).
Maine: -50°F at Big Black River near Saint Pamphile, PQ on January 16, 2009.
Massachusetts: -35°F in Chester on January 12, 1981. Coldbrook (-35°F, Feb 15, 1943), and Taunton (-35°F, Jan 5, 1904) also share this record.
New Hampshire: -50°F on Mount Washington on January 22, 1885.
New Jersey: -34°F in River Vale on January 5, 1904.
New York: -52°F in Old Forge on February 18, 1979.
Pennsylvania: -42°F in Smethport on January 5, 1904.
Rhode Island: -28°F in Wood River Junction on January 11, 1942.
Vermont: -50°F in Bloomfield on December 30, 1933.

Minnesota and North Dakota have both recorded -60°F, while Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio have records in the -30s°F range. Source: maps.weatherbell.com

Midwest

Illinois: -38°F in Mt. Carroll on January 31, 2019.
Indiana: -36°F in New Whiteland on January 19, 1994.
Iowa: -47°F in Elkader on February 3, 1996, and Washta on January 12, 1912.
Kansas: -40°F in Lebanon on February 13, 1905.
Michigan: -51°F in Vanderbilt on February 9, 1934.
Minnesota: -60°F in Tower on February 2, 1996.
Missouri: -40°F in Warsaw on February 13, 1905.
Nebraska:-47°F in Oshkosh on December 22, 1989, and in Bridgeport on February 12, 1899.
North Dakota: -60°F in Parshall on February 15, 1936.
Ohio: -39°F in Milligan on February 10, 1899.
South Dakota: -58°F in McIntosh on February 17, 1936.
Wisconsin: -55°F in Couderay on both February 2 and 4, 1996.

South

Alabama: -27°F in New Market on January 30, 1966.
Arkansas: -29°F near Gravette on February 13, 1905.
Delaware: -17°F in Millsboro on January 17, 1893.
Florida: -2°F in Tallahassee on February 13, 1899.
Georgia: -17°F at CCC Fire Camp F-16 (near Beatum) on January 27, 1940.
Kentucky:-37°F in Shelbyville on January 19, 1994.
Louisiana: -16°F in Minden on February 13, 1899.
Maryland: -40°F in Oakland on January 13, 1912.
Mississippi: -19°F in Corinth on January 30, 1966.
North Carolina:-34°F at Mount Mitchell on January 21, 1985.
Oklahoma: -31°F in Nowata on February 10, 2011.
South Carolina: -19°F at Caesar’s Head on January 21, 1985.
Tennessee: -32°F in Mountain City on December 30, 1917.
Texas: -23°F in Seminole on February 8, 1933, and in Tulia on February 12, 1899.
Virginia: -30°F at Mountain Lake Biological Station on January 21, 1985.
West Virginia:-37°F in Lewisburg on December 30, 1917.

West

Arizona: -40°F at Hawley Lake on January 7, 1971.
California: -45°F in Boca on January 20, 1937.
Colorado: -61°F in Maybell on February 1, 1985.
Idaho: -60°F at Island Park Dam on January 18, 1943.
Montana: -70°F at Rogers Pass on January 20, 1954 — the coldest official temperature in the continental U.S.
Nevada: -50°F in San Jacinto on January 8, 1937.
New Mexico: -50°F in Gavilan on February 1, 1951.
Oregon: -54°F in Seneca on February 10, 1933; also recorded in Ukiah the day before.
Utah: -50°F at Strawberry Tunnel (East) on January 5, 1913.
Washington: -48°F in both Mazama and Winthrop on December 30, 1968.
Wyoming: -66°F at Riverside Ranger Station (Yellowstone NP) on February 9, 1933.

In October, the average highs fall from 45 in Fairbanks to just 19 degrees between the 1st and the 31st of the month. Photo Credit: Weather Nation

Alaska and Hawaii

Alaska: -80°F at Prospect Creek Camp on January 23, 1971 — the coldest temperature ever recorded in the U.S.
Hawaii: 12°F at Mauna Kea Observatory on May 17, 1979.

While every state has experienced bitter cold at some point, the data indicate that the most extreme low temperatures are concentrated in the far north and interior regions of the country. Alaska leads by a wide margin with an astounding -80°F, followed closely by Montana, Minnesota, and other northern states where geography and climate combine to trap Arctic air. By contrast, states in the South and coastal areas rarely dip below zero, even during historic cold waves. Understanding these extremes offers not only a window into America’s diverse climate but also insight into how geography shapes weather in dramatic ways. Whether you’re a weather enthusiast or simply curious, these record lows reveal just how cold it can get, even in places you might not expect.