Winters can be brutal for some states across the US. The northern states generally experience harsher winters than their southern counterparts. The Midwest, Northeast, and Great Lakes regions are usually the hardest hit. This is because these areas typically experience the most extreme temperatures, heavy snowfall, and the longest periods of cold weather. But which state has the worst winters?
When it comes to harsh winters, some of the worst offenders are the states in the Great Lakes region. Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota are especially known for their strong winter storms. The temperatures can dip as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, making them one of the coldest states in the US. In addition, these states receive up to 60 inches of snowfall each year.
The Midwest region also has its fair share of extreme winter weather. Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri have some of the coldest temperatures and the longest winter season. The average temperature in these states is around 25 degrees Fahrenheit and they can receive up to 50 inches of snowfall. The winds in these states can reach up to 50 miles per hour, making the winter season a difficult one for those living in the area.
The Northeast region also has some fairly harsh winters. States like New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey have some of the coldest temperatures and the highest snowfall totals. The average temperature in these states is around 25 degrees Fahrenheit and they can receive up to 60 inches of snow. In addition, the winds in these states can reach up to 60 miles per hour, making winter a brutal season for those living in the area.
The state with the worst winters is generally considered to be Alaska. The average temperature in this northernmost state is around -10 degrees Fahrenheit and they can receive up to 80 inches of snowfall each year. In addition, the winds in Alaska can reach up to 80 miles per hour, making it one of the most extreme winter destinations. With temperatures as low as -60 degrees Fahrenheit, Alaska is definitely the state with the worst winters.
Comparing the Worst Winters in Each State
Have you ever wondered which state has the worst winters? There are many states with very cold winters, but some stand out more than others. Knowing which states have the worst winters is important for those who are thinking about relocating. Let’s take a look at some of the states with the coldest winters.
It’s no surprise that Alaska is one of the states with the coldest winters. The average temperature in winter is between -10 and -30 degrees Fahrenheit (-23 to -34 Celsius). The coldest temperature ever recorded in Alaska was -80 degrees Fahrenheit (-62 Celsius)!
Minnesota is another state with very cold winters. The average winter temperature is between -3 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-19 to -12 Celsius). The coldest temperature ever recorded in Minnesota was -60 degrees Fahrenheit (-51 Celsius).
Montana is yet another state with very cold winters. The average winter temperature in Montana is between 0 and 15 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -9 Celsius). The coldest temperature ever recorded in Montana was -70 degrees Fahrenheit (-56 Celsius).
North Dakota is another state with cold winters. The average winter temperature in North Dakota is between 0 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -12 Celsius). The coldest temperature ever recorded in North Dakota was -60 degrees Fahrenheit (-51 Celsius).
South Dakota is also one of the states with the coldest winters. The average winter temperature in South Dakota is between 0 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -12 Celsius). The coldest temperature ever recorded in South Dakota was -60 degrees Fahrenheit (-51 Celsius).
| State | Average Winter Temperature (Fahrenheit) | Coldest Temperature Recorded (Fahrenheit) |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | -10 to -30 | -80 |
| Minnesota | -3 to 10 | -60 |
| Montana | 0 to 15 | -70 |
| North Dakota | 0 to 10 | -60 |
| South Dakota | 0 to 10 | -60 |
As you can see, there are many states with very cold winters. Alaska, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota all have very cold winters, with temperatures dropping to -80, -60, and -70 degrees Fahrenheit (-62, -51, and -56 Celsius).
No matter which state you choose to live in, you should be prepared for the cold weather. Winter can be a difficult time for many, so it is important to be prepared and stay warm.
Ranking the Coldest States by Average Winter Temperatures
Do you want to know which states have the coldest winters? In this article, we’ll be ranking the coldest states by average winter temperatures.
For determining the coldest states, we’ll be looking at the average winter temperatures in each of the 50 states in the United States. To get an accurate picture of average winter temperatures in each state, we’ll look at data collected from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The following table shows the average winter temperatures for all 50 states, ranked from coldest to warmest.
| State | Average Winter Temperature (°F) |
|---|---|
| Maine | 24.7 |
| New Hampshire | 25.4 |
| Vermont | 25.7 |
| Montana | 26.3 |
| Minnesota | 27.3 |
| Wisconsin | 27.7 |
| North Dakota | 27.7 |
| Michigan | 28.6 |
| Idaho | 28.6 |
| Massachusetts | 29.3 |
| Connecticut | 29.8 |
| Rhode Island | 30.3 |
| New York | 30.3 |
| South Dakota | 30.4 |
| Wyoming | 30.6 |
| Colorado | 31.1 |
| Nevada | 31.6 |
| Iowa | 31.6 |
| Oregon | 31.8 |
| Illinois | 32.1 |
| Utah | 32.5 |
| Delaware | 32.6 |
| Washington | 33.4 |
| Kansas | 34.2 |
| Pennsylvania | 34.4 |
| Alaska | 34.7 |
| Arizona | 34.8 |
| Missouri | 35.5 |
| New Jersey | 35.7 |
| California | 36.3 |
| Oklahoma | 36.5 |
| Ohio | 37.4 |
| Indiana | 37.5 |
| New Mexico | 38.0 |
| Virginia | 38.3 |
| Georgia | 38.4 |
| West Virginia | 38.5 |
| Hawaii | 39.2 |
| Maryland | 39.5 |
| North Carolina | 40.4 |
| Kentucky | 40.5 |
| Tennessee | 41.2 |
| Texas | 42.2 |
| Alabama | 42.7 |
| Louisiana | 43.2 |
| South Carolina | 43.5 |
| Mississippi | 43.8 |
| Florida | 45.2 |
| Arkansas | 45.3 |
As you can see, the coldest states in the United States are Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Montana, and Minnesota, with average winter temperatures ranging from 24.7°F in Maine to 27.7°F in Minnesota.
At the other end of the spectrum, the warmest states in the United States are Florida, Arkansas, and Mississippi, with average winter temperatures ranging from 45.2°F in Florida to 43.8°F in Mississippi.
The coldest state in the US is Alaska, with an average temperature of 26°F in January.
The states with the most extreme winters are typically those that are found in the Midwest and northeastern United States.
The average temperature of the coldest state in winter is 26°F, which is found in Alaska.
The states with the worst winters are typically those that are found in the Midwest and northeastern United States.
The average snowfall in the coldest state in winter is around 200 inches annually, which is found in Alaska.
The coldest month in the coldest state is typically January, with an average temperature of 26°F in Alaska.
The state with the longest winter is typically Alaska, with temperatures remaining below freezing from October through April.
The coldest temperature ever recorded in the US was -80°F in Alaska’s Prospect Creek Camp on January 23, 1971.
The coldest temperature ever recorded in a US state other than Alaska was -70°F in Montana’s Rogers Pass on January 20, 1954.
The states with an average temperature below freezing during winter are typically those that are found in the Midwest and northeastern United States.