A devastating cold front, complete with extreme low temperatures, wind, and precipitation, is expected to hit much of the United States this week. The phenomenon, known popularly as a “polar vortex,” will move across the Midwest and Northeast, keeping temperatures in many places well below freezing for an extended period of time — and wind chill levels at life-threatening lows.
In parts of Minnesota, the wind chill factor could reach as low at -65°F. Chicago might break its record low for temperature excluding wind chill, -27°F, set on Jan 20, 1985. But even if temperatures fall below that level, it will likely not come close to Illinois’ all-time low temperature, a staggering -36°F set in Bloomington in 1999.
Based on records from the State Climate Extremes Committee, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the coldest temperature on record in every state. Most state record lows have lasted for decades, in some cases over a century, and as U.S. average temperatures continue to rise, record high temperatures being set are exceeding record low temperatures by a ratio of 2:1. Only two states’ record low temperatures have been set in the 21st century. The vast majority of states’ record lows have stood unbroken for well over 50 years.
In a few cases, records have been tied but remained unbroken. In Massachusetts, the record low temperature of -35°F has been recorded at weather stations within the state three times: first in 1904, then in 1943, and finally 1981. In a few states, the record low was recorded on separate days. In Wisconsin, the state’s record of -55°F was set in Stone Lake on Friday, Feb. 2, 1996, and then in the same place two days later.
To identify the coldest days in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the State Climate Extremes Committee’s (SCEC) records of extreme cold temperatures in every state, then listed the city / location closest to the weather station that recorded the extreme weather event. Data was sourced from the Nautical Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA).
Click here to see the coldest day in every state.
Alabama
> Record low temperature: -27°F
> Place and time: Huntsville, 1/30/1966
See all stories featuring: Alabama
[in-text-ad]
Alaska
> Record low temperature: -80°F
> Place and time: Bettles, 1/23/1971
See all stories featuring: Alaska
Arizona
> Record low temperature: -40°F
> Place and time: Springerville, 1/7/1971
See all stories featuring: Arizona
Arkansas
> Record low temperature: -29°F
> Place and time: Bentonville, 2/13/1905
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
[in-text-ad-2]
California
> Record low temperature: -45°F
> Place and time: Truckee, 1/20/1937
See all stories featuring: California
Colorado
> Record low temperature: -61°F
> Place and time: Craig, 2/1/1985
See all stories featuring: Colorado
[in-text-ad]
Connecticut
> Record low temperature: -32°F
> Place and time: Salisbury, 2/16/1943
> Place and time: Mansfield, 1/22/1961
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
Delaware
> Record low temperature: -17°F
> Place and time: Georgetown, 1/17/1893
See all stories featuring: Delaware
Florida
> Record low temperature: -2°F
> Place and time: Tallahassee, 2/13/1899
See all stories featuring: Florida
[in-text-ad-2]
Georgia
> Record low temperature: -17°F
> Place and time: LaFayette, 1/27/1940
See all stories featuring: Georgia
Hawaii
> Record low temperature: 12°F
> Place and time: Hilo, 5/17/1979
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
[in-text-ad]
Idaho
> Record low temperature: -60°F
> Place and time: Ashton, 1/18/1943
See all stories featuring: Idaho
Illinois
> Record low temperature: -36°F
> Place and time: Bloomington, 1/5/1999
See all stories featuring: Illinois
Indiana
> Record low temperature: -36°F
> Place and time: Whiteland, 1/19/1994
See all stories featuring: Indiana
[in-text-ad-2]
Iowa
> Record low temperature: -47°F
> Place and time: Elkader, 2/3/1996
> Place and time: Sioux City, 1/12/2019
See all stories featuring: Iowa
Kansas
> Record low temperature: -40°F
> Place and time: Lebanon, 2/13/1905
See all stories featuring: Kansas
[in-text-ad]
Kentucky
> Record low temperature: -37°F
> Place and time: Shelbyville, 1/19/1994
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
Louisiana
> Record low temperature: -16°F
> Place and time: Minden, 2/13/1899
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
Maine
> Record low temperature: -50°F
> Place and time: northern border, 1/16/2009
See all stories featuring: Maine
[in-text-ad-2]
Maryland
> Record low temperature: -40°F
> Place and time: Oakland, 1/13/1912
See all stories featuring: Maryland
Massachusetts
> Record low temperature: -35°F
> Place and time: Taunton, 1/5/1904
> Place and time: Worcester, 2/15/1943
> Place and time: Pittsfield, 1/12/1981
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
[in-text-ad]
Michigan
> Record low temperature: -51°F
> Place and time: Vanderbilt, 2/9/1934
See all stories featuring: Michigan
24/7 Wall St.
Minnesota
> Record low temperature: -60°F
> Place and time: Tower, 2/2/1996
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
Mississippi
> Record low temperature: -19°F
> Place and time: Corinth, 1/30/1966
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
[in-text-ad-2]
Missouri
> Record low temperature: -40°F
> Place and time: Warsaw, 2/13/1905
See all stories featuring: Missouri
Montana
> Record low temperature: -70°F
> Place and time: Fairfield, 1/20/1954
See all stories featuring: Montana
[in-text-ad]
Nebraska
> Record low temperature: -47°F
> Place and time: Bridgeport, 2/12/1899
> Place and time: Oshkosh, 12/22/1989
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
Nevada
> Record low temperature: -50°F
> Place and time: San Jacinto, 1/8/1937
See all stories featuring: Nevada
New Hampshire
> Record low temperature: -50°F
> Place and time: Jackson, 1/22/1885
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
[in-text-ad-2]
New Jersey
> Record low temperature: -34°F
> Place and time: River Vale, 1/5/1904
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
New Mexico
> Record low temperature: -50°F
> Place and time: Farmington, 2/1/1951
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
[in-text-ad]
New York
> Record low temperature: -52°F
> Place and time: Old Forge, 2/18/1979
See all stories featuring: New York
North Carolina
> Record low temperature: -34°F
> Place and time: Black Mountain, 1/21/1985
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
North Dakota
> Record low temperature: -60°F
> Place and time: Parshall, 2/15/1936
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
[in-text-ad-2]
Ohio
> Record low temperature: -39°F
> Place and time: Crooksville, 2/10/1889
See all stories featuring: Ohio
Oklahoma
> Record low temperature: -31°F
> Place and time: Nowata, 2/10/2011
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
[in-text-ad]
Oregon
> Record low temperature: -54°F
> Place and time: Ukiah, 2/9/1933
> Place and time: Seneca, 2/10/1933
See all stories featuring: Oregon
Pennsylvania
> Record low temperature: -42°F
> Place and time: Port Allegany, 1/5/1904
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
> Record low temperature: -28°F
> Place and time: Charlestown, 1/11/1942
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
[in-text-ad-2]
South Carolina
> Record low temperature: -19°F
> Place and time: Rosman, 1/21/1985
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
South Dakota
> Record low temperature: -58°F
> Place and time: McIntosh, 2/17/1936
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
[in-text-ad]
Tennessee
> Record low temperature: -32°F
> Place and time: Ashland, 12/30/1917
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
Texas
> Record low temperature: -23°F
> Place and time: Tulia, 2/12/1899
> Place and time: Seminole, 2/8/1933
See all stories featuring: Texas
Utah
> Record low temperature: -50°F
> Place and time: Provo, 1/5/1913
See all stories featuring: Utah
[in-text-ad-2]
Vermont
> Record low temperature: -50°F
> Place and time: Bloomfield, 12/30/1933
See all stories featuring: Vermont
Virginia
> Record low temperature: -30°F
> Place and time: Pembroke, 1/21/1985
See all stories featuring: Virginia
[in-text-ad]
Washington
> Record low temperature: -48°F
> Place and time: Winthrop, 12/30/1968
See all stories featuring: Washington
24/7 Wall St.
West Virginia
> Record low temperature: -37°F
> Place and time: Lewisburg, 12/30/1917
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
Wisconsin
> Record low temperature: -55°F
> Place and time: Stone Lake, 2/4/1996
> Place and time: Stone Lake, 2/6/1996
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
[in-text-ad-2]
Wyoming
> Record low temperature: -66°F
> Place and time: Yellowstone National Park, 2/9/1933
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
The #1 Thing to Do Before You Claim Social Security (Sponsor)
Choosing the right (or wrong) time to claim Social Security can dramatically change your retirement. So, before making one of the biggest decisions of your financial life, it’s a smart idea to get an extra set of eyes on your complete financial situation.
A financial advisor can help you decide the right Social Security option for you and your family. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you optimize your Social Security outcomes.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
