The United States has a vast spectrum of winter climates, ranging from mild subtropical regions to intensely frigid Arctic areas. Identifying the single “coldest” state requires a precise, scientific definition. Climatologists rely on standardized measurements to determine a definitive ranking. Understanding which state consistently experiences the lowest temperatures involves focusing on long-term seasonal averages rather than anecdotal extreme records.
Defining “Coldest”: Metrics Used by Climatologists
To accurately determine the coldest state, scientists primarily use the state-wide average winter temperature, which provides a reliable measure of sustained cold. This metric is calculated by averaging the recorded temperatures across all weather stations within a state during the three meteorological winter months: December, January, and February. This seasonal average smooths out temporary fluctuations and offers a truer comparison of overall winter severity.
The average winter temperature is a more meaningful indicator than the absolute record low, which is often a single-day anomaly. While a state may hold a record for a brief, extreme temperature plunge, it might not experience consistently severe winter conditions. Rankings rely strictly on the air temperature itself, not wind chill, which is how cold the air feels to humans.
The State with the Overall Coldest Winter
Based on the average winter temperature, the state that experiences the most extreme and persistent cold is Alaska. With a state-wide average winter temperature of approximately 2.6 °F (-16.3 °C), its climate is significantly colder than any other state in the nation. This average is nearly 30 degrees Fahrenheit lower than the average winter temperature for the contiguous United States.
The interior and northern regions of Alaska exhibit a true Arctic climate, pulling this average extremely low. Fairbanks in the Interior has average January lows far below zero, while Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow) on the Arctic Slope endures months of polar night with consistently frigid temperatures. Alaska is also home to the lowest temperature ever officially recorded in the U.S., -80 °F (-62.2 °C) at Prospect Creek in 1971.
Geographic and Climatic Factors Driving Extreme Cold
The immense cold experienced in Alaska and the northern tier of the contiguous states results from several powerful geographic and atmospheric factors. High latitude is a primary driver, as areas closer to the poles receive sunlight at a much lower angle, significantly reducing the solar energy available to warm the surface. During the winter, the days are also much shorter, and in Arctic regions, the sun may not rise at all for an extended period.
A second major factor is the continental effect, meaning these regions are far removed from the moderating influence of large bodies of water. Interior locations, like the Great Plains and the Alaskan Interior, experience rapid temperature drops and greater seasonal extremes. The lack of a major east-west mountain range in the central U.S. also allows frigid Arctic air masses to sweep unimpeded down from Canada.
These blasts of extreme cold are governed by the dynamics of the polar vortex and the jet stream, which is a fast-flowing river of air high in the atmosphere. When the jet stream dips southward, it transports dense, sub-zero air from the Arctic circle deep into the lower latitudes. High-altitude areas, such as mountain passes and plateaus in the western states, are naturally colder because air temperature decreases with elevation.
The Coldest States in the Contiguous United States
Excluding Alaska, the contiguous United States (often called the Lower 48) has a different set of states that experience the coldest winters. These states are generally clustered along the northern border, directly exposed to continental and Arctic influences. The coldest winter state in the Lower 48 is Minnesota, which records an average winter temperature of around 12.4 °F.
Following Minnesota is Maine, which has an average winter temperature of approximately 16.8 °F, reflecting the severity of New England winters. Montana and North Dakota round out the top four, with average winter temperatures hovering around 21.2 °F and 21.7 °F, respectively. These figures demonstrate a significant drop-off in cold severity once the Arctic is excluded from the ranking.