The United States experiences a wide range of climates due to its vast size. The states’ climates vary greatly; for example, while Florida has a tropical climate, Alaska has a subarctic temperature, and Arizona has a semi-arid desert environment, whereas mountain states have an alpine climate. There are around 26 distinct climate types found in the United States. If you know the geography, you know that regions are colder the further they are from the equator. The climates of states, towns, and countries nearer the equator are warmer.
The northern states of the United States have lower temperatures since they are located further away from the equator.
Contents
Alaska is the Coldest State in the US
The coldest state in the U.S. is Alaska. Alaska’s winter temperatures can drop as low as -30°F (-34°C), with an average temperature of 28.1°F (-2.2°C). The Fairbanks region has summertime highs of 90°F (32°C) and wintertime lows of about -50°F (-45.6°C), making it one of the hottest and coldest places in the state.
Montana The Continental US’s Cold Record
Montana is the sixth coldest state in the US with an average temperature of 42.6°F (5.9°C). January is the coldest month in Montana, with average highs of 0°F (-17°C). On January 20, 1954, a record-low temperature of -70°F (-57°C) was reached in Montana. Montana’s western region enjoys a Pacific coastal environment with somewhat warmer winters. The state’s eastern region, in contrast, has a semi-arid continental climate with significantly colder winters.
North Dakota and Minnesota: Freezing temperatures in the Midwest
The second- and third-coldest states in the US are North Dakota and Minnesota, respectively.
The average temperature in North Dakota is 41.1°F (5.1°C). With typical wintertime temperatures of about 24°F (-4.4°C), it’s ideal for winter sports like ice hockey, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and skating. With highs in the north of 2°F (-16.7°C) and lows in the south of 17°F (-8.3°C), January is the coldest month in North Dakota.
The average temperature of Minnesota, which is in the Upper Midwest and is impacted by its latitude and closeness to Lake Superior, is 41.8°F (5.4°C). In the northern regions of the state, January is the coldest month with lows as low as -30°F (-34°C).
Maine and Vermont: The Northeast’s Harsh Winters
Among the coldest states in the union are Vermont and Maine, with the latter coming in at number seven and Maine in at number four.
The average annual temperature in Maine is 41.9°F (5.5°C). Maine experiences exceptionally frigid winters, with typical lows of 12°F (-11°C) and copious amounts of snowfall. The state receives between 10 and 80 inches (25 and 203 cm) of snowfall year; in 2018, Caribou, the U.S. city located in the northeast, had 157 days in a row with at least one inch of snow on the ground.
With an average temperature of 43.2°F (6.2°C), Vermont also has extremely cold winters, with lows of 2°F (-16°C) and average temperatures of around 22°F (-6°C). There are gentler summertime temperatures, which range from 75°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C), and lower nighttime lows of 50°F (10°C). Vermont is the snowiest state in the U.S., with an annual snowfall of approximately 89.25 inches (227 cm).
Hawaii: The Only Exception
Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. that has never recorded sub-zero temperatures, while 49 of the 50 states have experienced temperatures below zero. According to the information on www.theblogler.com/coldest-states/, the coldest temperature ever recorded in Hawaii was 12°F (-11.1°C) at the Mauna Kea Observatory in 1979. Although Hawaii has a tropical climate, this unusually cold weather was due to the height of Mauna Kea.
Impact of Cold Air Waves
Air masses originating in the Arctic are frequently the cause of these extremely low temperatures. Freezing temperatures are brought on by the passage of Arctic air masses from Canada into the US, particularly in the northern states. The presence of mountains and snow in these places also contributes to increased heat loss, which lowers temperatures even further.
America’s Cold Geography
States like Maine, North Dakota, Alaska, and Montana will be the coldest in the US by 2024. Winter is a way of life rather than merely a season in many states. People who reside in these states experience terrible winter circumstances, freezing temperatures, and large snowfalls on a regular basis. Some of the most recognizable aspects of these areas are their ice landscapes, snow-covered roadways, and cold waves.
