As Americans brace for winter’s icy grip to tighten across the United States, it’s a chilling reminder of the extreme cold that has defined weather records in each state.
From freezing Alaskan tundras to the unexpected cold snaps of southern states, here’s a look at the coldest temperatures ever recorded across the country, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Alaska’s Unrivaled Freeze
The nation’s coldest temperature on record was measured in Prospect Creek, Alaska, on January 23, 1971, when the thermometer plunged to a bone-chilling -80°F. This remote spot in Alaska’s interior holds the title for the coldest temperature ever documented in the United States.
Lower 48’s Coldest: Montana
In the continental U.S., the coldest temperature was recorded in Rogers Pass, Montana, on January 20, 1954, when the thermometer hit -70°F. The high-altitude location, clear skies, and snow cover created the perfect conditions for this extreme low.
Frigid Plains and Midwest
States like North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wyoming are no strangers to arctic temperatures. Parshall, North Dakota, hit -60°F in 1936, while Tower, Minnesota, dipped to -60°F in 1996. Wyoming’s coldest, -66°F, was logged at Riverside in 1933.
Southern States Feel the Chill
Even states known for milder climates have experienced surprising cold. Florida’s coldest was a relatively tame -2°F, recorded in Tallahassee in 1899 during a rare deep freeze. In contrast, Texas felt the icy grip of -23°F in Tulia in 1899, also replicated in Seminole in 1933.
As reported by Newsweek, the state is currently under freeze warnings as temperatures are set to plummet on Friday.
The Northeast’s Deep Freeze
Old Forge, New York, recorded the state’s lowest temperature of -52°F in 1979, while Mt. Washington, New Hampshire, holds the regional record at -50°F, which occurred on January 22, 1885.
Unlikely Extremes in Hawaii
Even tropical Hawaii has a place in the cold-record books. The lowest temperature recorded in the state was 12°F, observed at the summit of Mauna Kea on May 17, 1979.
As reported by Newsweek, several inches of snow fell on the state’s tallest peaks last month.
A Record-Breaking Map of Cold
Here’s a snapshot of other notable state records:
- California: -45°F in Boca (1937)
- Nebraska: -47°F in Bridgeport on February 12, 1899, and again almost a century later in Oshkosh on December 22, 1989.
- Oklahoma: -31°F in Nowata (2011)
- Washington: -48°F in Mazama and Winthrop (both in 1968).
Many of these record-setting lows may have occurred during prolonged cold snaps influenced by polar air masses or arctic outbreaks. These events are often accompanied by high-pressure systems, clear skies, and snow-covered ground, which help trap cold air near the surface.
