Special Report

Coldest Town in Every State

Jitalia17 / Getty Images

People across the country will experience the effects of a strong arctic cold front early next week. Residents in the central, southern, and eastern United States will experience the worst of the front, with meteorologists expecting that many daily cold records for this time of year will be broken.

Spanning many climate zones, the United States can experience both extreme hot and cold temperatures. And while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a relatively warmer, wetter winter overall this year, certain areas of the country will undoubtedly have lower temperatures than others.

Of course, states like Alaska, home to the lowest temperature ever recorded in the United States – 80 degrees below zero just north of Fairbanks in 1971 – are generally colder than states like Arizona and Florida. Yet temperatures vary drastically within states, even the warmer ones.

24/7 Wall St. has determined the coldest town in each state by identifying those places with the lowest average annual temperatures, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Many of the coldest towns are found in more rural areas. Urban areas are filled with concrete and asphalt, which absorb thermal and solar energy at much higher rates than natural landscapes and therefore often have higher temperatures than rural areas. Other factors, like the concentration of industry and automobiles, also help explain why temperatures tend to be higher in cities.

One town may also be colder than another due to several geographic features, including elevation, proximity to bodies of water, and distance from the equator.

Click here to see the coldest town in every state.
Click here to see our methodology.

formulanone / Flickr

1. Alabama
> Coldest town: Hamilton
> Avg. low temp.: 45.8° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 26.2° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 94

See all stories featuring: Alabama

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bsrieth / Getty Images

2. Alaska
> Coldest town: Deadhorse
> Avg. low temp.: 11.6° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: -23.1° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 291.9

See all stories featuring: Alaska

Ricraider / Wikimedia Commons

3. Arizona
> Coldest town: Bellemont
> Avg. low temp.: 25.8° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 11° F (December)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 246.7

See all stories featuring: Arizona

Semipaw / Wikimedia Commons

4. Arkansas
> Coldest town: Lead Hill
> Avg. low temp.: 43.6° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 21.8° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 109.1

See all stories featuring: Arkansas

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Loco Steve / Flickr

5. California
> Coldest town: Boca
> Avg. low temp.: 24.1° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 11° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 269.2

See all stories featuring: California

stockphoto52 / Getty Images

6. Colorado
> Coldest town: Crested Butte
> Avg. low temp.: 17.7° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: -7.6° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 265.7

See all stories featuring: Colorado

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Holcy / Getty Images

7. Connecticut
> Coldest town: Norfolk
> Avg. low temp.: 36.4° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 12.8° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 150.6

See all stories featuring: Connecticut

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. / Wikimedia Commons

8. Delaware
> Coldest town: Bear
> Avg. low temp.: 43.8° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 23.1° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 106.8

See all stories featuring: Delaware

subewl / Flickr

9. Florida
> Coldest town: Milton
> Avg. low temp.: 53.2° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 36° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 37.4

See all stories featuring: Florida

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Wilsilver77 / Getty Images

10. Georgia
> Coldest town: Blairsville
> Avg. low temp.: 43.2° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 24.8° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 102.7

See all stories featuring: Georgia

Arne-kaiser / Wikimedia Commons

11. Hawaii
> Coldest town: Kula
> Avg. low temp.: 55.7° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 52.6° F (February)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 0

See all stories featuring: Hawaii

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treegrow / Flickr

12. Idaho
> Coldest town: Stanley
> Avg. low temp.: 17.6° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: -1.8° F (December)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 291.6

See all stories featuring: Idaho

kymma / Flickr

13. Illinois
> Coldest town: Streamwood
> Avg. low temp.: 34.8° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 10.6° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 161.5

See all stories featuring: Illinois

davidwilson1949 / Flickr

14. Indiana
> Coldest town: Wanatah
> Avg. low temp.: 37.3° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 13.3° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 145.7

See all stories featuring: Indiana

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Scott Romine / Wikimedia Commons

15. Iowa
> Coldest town: Sheldon
> Avg. low temp.: 32.5° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 3.7° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 178.9

See all stories featuring: Iowa

marypmadigan / Flickr

16. Kansas
> Coldest town: Goodland
> Avg. low temp.: 34.4° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 13.1° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 173.5

See all stories featuring: Kansas

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W.marsh / Wikimedia Commons

17. Kentucky
> Coldest town: Grayson
> Avg. low temp.: 39.3° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 20.2° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 132.7

See all stories featuring: Kentucky

wellesenterprises / Getty Images

18. Louisiana
> Coldest town: Monroe
> Avg. low temp.: 50.1° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 31.2° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 61.5

See all stories featuring: Louisiana

zrfphoto / Getty Images

19. Maine
> Coldest town: Allagash
> Avg. low temp.: 24.5° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: -7.6° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 208.1

See all stories featuring: Maine

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Ron Cogswell / Wikimedia Commons

20. Maryland
> Coldest town: Oakland
> Avg. low temp.: 36.6° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 15.8° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 151

See all stories featuring: Maryland

John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons

21. Massachusetts
> Coldest town: Ashfield
> Avg. low temp.: 32.1° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 9.4° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 180.4

See all stories featuring: Massachusetts

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Bobak Ha'Eri / Wikimedia Commons

22. Michigan
> Coldest town: Clarksburg
> Avg. low temp.: 25.4° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: -0.1° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 212.3

See all stories featuring: Michigan

McGhiever / Wikimedia Commons

23. Minnesota
> Coldest town: Embarrass
> Avg. low temp.: 22.2° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: -6.2° F (February)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 227.2

See all stories featuring: Minnesota

tpholland / Flickr

24. Mississippi
> Coldest town: Holly Springs
> Avg. low temp.: 46.3° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 26.7° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 87.2

See all stories featuring: Mississippi

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Ronda Del Boccio / Flickr

25. Missouri
> Coldest town: Bunker
> Avg. low temp.: 38.6° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 15.1° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 137.2

See all stories featuring: Missouri

kayjj / Getty Images

26. Montana
> Coldest town: Wisdom
> Avg. low temp.: 19.2° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 1° F (December)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 277.2

See all stories featuring: Montana

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zrfphoto / Getty Images

27. Nebraska
> Coldest town: Agate
> Avg. low temp.: 29.0° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 7.8° F (December)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 202.6

See all stories featuring: Nebraska

Famartin / Wikimedia Commons

28. Nevada
> Coldest town: Mountain City
> Avg. low temp.: 24.4° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 9.9° F (December)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 247.4

See all stories featuring: Nevada

dougtone / Flickr

29. New Hampshire
> Coldest town: Colebrook
> Avg. low temp.: 28.0° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: -0.5° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 196

See all stories featuring: New Hampshire

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Leembe / Getty Images

30. New Jersey
> Coldest town: Sussex
> Avg. low temp.: 37.9° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 15.8° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 142.6

See all stories featuring: New Jersey

seymour-pics / Flickr

31. New Mexico
> Coldest town: Eagle Nest
> Avg. low temp.: 22.8° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 1.7° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 239.2

See all stories featuring: New Mexico

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Marc N. Belanger / Wikimedia Commons

32. New York
> Coldest town: Saranac
> Avg. low temp.: 27.4° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 1.6° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 201.4

See all stories featuring: New York

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

33. North Carolina
> Coldest town: Jefferson
> Avg. low temp.: 38.0° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 20.4° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 140.3

See all stories featuring: North Carolina

afiler / Flickr

34. North Dakota
> Coldest town: Belcourt
> Avg. low temp.: 24.7° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: -6.2° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 205.2

See all stories featuring: North Dakota

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Jack Pearce from Boardman, OH, USA / Wikimedia Commons

35. Ohio
> Coldest town: Canfield
> Avg. low temp.: 36.3° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 14.5° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 152.2

See all stories featuring: Ohio

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

36. Oklahoma
> Coldest town: Boise City
> Avg. low temp.: 40.1° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 19.9° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 133.8

See all stories featuring: Oklahoma

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Murray Foubister / Wikimedia Commons

37. Oregon
> Coldest town: Seneca
> Avg. low temp.: 24.7° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 11.3° F (December)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 247.7

See all stories featuring: Oregon

Jon Dawson / Flickr

38. Pennsylvania
> Coldest town: Clarence
> Avg. low temp.: 32.2° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 12.8° F (February)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 184

See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania

wgmi2003 / Getty Images

39. Rhode Island
> Coldest town: Kingston
> Avg. low temp.: 39.0° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 18.4° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 135.6

See all stories featuring: Rhode Island

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Mike Burton / Flickr

40. South Carolina
> Coldest town: Salem
> Avg. low temp.: 44.4° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 25.3° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 99.2

See all stories featuring: South Carolina

Holly Hayes / Flickr

41. South Dakota
> Coldest town: Rochford
> Avg. low temp.: 21.3° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 3.1° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 256.8

See all stories featuring: South Dakota

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gammaman / Flickr

42. Tennessee
> Coldest town: Mountain City
> Avg. low temp.: 39.8° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 21.6° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 126.4

See all stories featuring: Tennessee

Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons

43. Texas
> Coldest town: Dalhart
> Avg. low temp.: 37.5° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 16.8° F (December)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 152.8

See all stories featuring: Texas

Tricia Simpson / Wikimedia Commons

44. Utah
> Coldest town: Coalville
> Avg. low temp.: 21.9° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 4.7° F (December)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 258.4

See all stories featuring: Utah

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dadofliz / Flickr

45. Vermont
> Coldest town: Sutton
> Avg. low temp.: 26.4° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: -1° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 204.8

See all stories featuring: Vermont

Famartin / Wikimedia Commons

46. Virginia
> Coldest town: Monterey
> Avg. low temp.: 35.5° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 16.2° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 157.5

See all stories featuring: Virginia

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rockyraybell / Flickr

47. Washington
> Coldest town: Republic
> Avg. low temp.: 31.7° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 16.1° F (December)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 181.4

See all stories featuring: Washington

WVhybrid / Wikimedia Commons

48. West Virginia
> Coldest town: Marlinton
> Avg. low temp.: 33.2° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 13.4° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 177.8

See all stories featuring: West Virginia

Creative Commons / Wikimedia Commons

49. Wisconsin
> Coldest town: Butternut
> Avg. low temp.: 27.6° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: 0.8° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 195.4

See all stories featuring: Wisconsin

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jacklynsey / Flickr

50. Wyoming
> Coldest town: Bondurant
> Avg. low temp.: 18.7° F
> Avg. low temp. during coldest month: -3.1° F (January)
> Avg. no. of days that reach 32° F or below: 264.9

See all stories featuring: Wyoming

Methodology

To identify the coldest town in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the average minimum temperature for the years between 1981 and 2010 for U.S. cities from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA collects temperatures observed by local weather stations.

Additional data points, including average low temperatures during the coldest month in each town and the average number of days when the temperature reaches 32° F or below also come from the NOAA. These averages include all years between 1981 and 2010 for which data is available.

Census-designated places and township communities were included in addition to towns for certain states where the required data sets were available.

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