Special Report

Coldest Town in Every State

Stephen Maturen / Getty Images

Temperatures dipped below 10 degrees Fahrenheit across much of the northern United States this week. Still, average temperatures between Jan. 17 and 23, 2021 were consistently higher than historical norms for that period in nearly every part of the country, following the long-term trend of global warming.

It remains to be seen how temperatures this winter, as well as the entire year, will compare to 2020 and the historical norm. With an average temperature in the contiguous U.S. of 54.4 degrees Fahrenheit — 2.4 degrees above the 20th century average — 2020 ranked as the fifth-warmest year in the 126-year record. The five warmest years on record have all occurred since 2012, and no areas in the United States reported below-average annual temperatures in 2020.

At the same, it is important to note that temperatures during winter do not necessarily follow the long-term pattern of annual average temperature. In fact, over the past 15 years, there were as many warmer-than-normal winters as there were colder-than-normal ones, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) winter outlook for 2020-21.

Spanning many climate zones, the United States can experience both extreme hot and cold temperatures. 24/7 Wall St. has determined the coldest town in each state by identifying those places with the lowest average annual temperatures, based on data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

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. Here is the hottest city in each state.

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. These factors similarly affect the coldest places on the planet where people live, some of which are in North America.

Click here to see the coldest town in every state.

john049 / Wikimedia Commons

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

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United States Navy / Wikimedia Commons

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

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

Courtesy of Lead Hill Chamber of Commerce via Facebook

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

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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

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

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Courtesy of Town of Norfolk, CT Emergency Management via Facebook

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

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

Eric Lewis / 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

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Stephen Rahn / Flickr

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

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

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Frank Kovalchek / Wikimedia Commons

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

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

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

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freddthompson / Flickr

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

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

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Nyttend / 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

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

NOAA / Wikimedia Commons

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

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SGphotos / 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

Kindra Clineff / Massachusetts Office Of Travel & Tourism

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

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Lynn Kanieski / US Fish & Wildlife Service

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

Courtney Celley / USFWS

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

Thomas R Machnitzki / Wikimedia Commons

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

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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

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

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National Park Service

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

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

P199 / Wikimedia Commons

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

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jason jenkins / Flickr

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

David Herrera / Wikimedia Commons

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

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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

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

alq666 / 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

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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

DrunkDriver / 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

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Tracy Robillard / NRCS Oregon

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

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

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

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Brian Stansberry / Wikimedia Commons

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

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

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Brian Stansberry / Wikimedia Commons

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

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

r. nial bradshaw / Flickr

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

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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

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

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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

Loman / 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

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

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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

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 with data 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 falls to 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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