What is America's coldest city?

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Fairbanks, Alaska is the coldest major city in the United States, with an average annual temperature of about 28.3°F and a record low of –66°F.

Key Coldest U.S. Cities

  • Fairbanks, Alaska: Widely recognized as the coldest major U.S. city, sitting in a low-lying valley of the Tanana Valley where cold air becomes trapped.
  • Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska: The outright coldest inhabited place in the U.S. (though often classified as a town rather than a large city), with an average annual temperature of 12.7°F.
  • Grand Forks, North Dakota: The coldest city in the Lower 48 states, with an average annual temperature of about 39.8°F and a record low of –43°F.
  • International Falls, Minnesota: Nicknamed the "Icebox of the Nation," it holds the record as one of the coldest small cities/towns in the contiguous U.S. with an average year-round temperature of roughly 37.4°F (though it is too small to top the major-city lists).

What are the top 5 coldest cities in the US?

The top five coldest cities in the United States, based on overall average annual temperatures for cities with populations over 10,000, are led by Fairbanks, Alaska.

The Top 5 Coldest U.S. Cities

  • Fairbanks, Alaska
    • Average Annual Temperature: 28.3°F (-2.1°C)
    • Details: It is by far the coldest city in the U.S., with deep sub-zero winter spells and a record low of -66°F.
  • Anchorage, Alaska
    • Average Annual Temperature: 37.6°F (3.1°C)
    • Details: While moderated slightly by coastal air compared to the interior, its cool year-round climate keeps it near the top of the national list.
  • Grand Forks, North Dakota
    • Average Annual Temperature: 39.8°F (4.3°C)
    • Details: This is the coldest city located in the contiguous (lower 48) United States, experiencing harsh Arctic winds sweeping down from Canada.
  • Butte, Montana
    • Average Annual Temperature: 40.1°F (4.5°C)
    • Details: Located in the Rocky Mountains, high elevation gives this city severely cold winters with a record low of -52°F.
  • Marquette, Michigan
    • Average Annual Temperature: 40.4°F (4.7°C)
    • Details: Situated on the shores of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula, it gets blasted by heavy lake-effect snow and bitter winter averages.

(Note: Rankings can slightly shift depending on whether lists measure by year-round averages, average winter lows, or restrict criteria strictly to major metropolitan areas like Minneapolis, Minnesota).

What are the top 3 coldest states in the US?

Based on average annual temperatures from NOAA data, the top 3 coldest states in the US are Alaska, North Dakota, and Minnesota.

1. Alaska

  • Average Annual Temperature: ~26.6°F to 32.1°F
  • Why it is cold: Its high northern latitude places it closest to the Arctic.
  • Extreme low: -80°F (recorded at Prospect Creek Camp in 1971).

2. North Dakota

  • Average Annual Temperature: ~40.4°F to 43.8°F
  • Why it is cold: Flat plains allow fast-moving Arctic air masses to sweep down directly from Canada with no mountain barriers.
  • Extreme low: -60°F (recorded in Parshall in 1936).

3. Minnesota

  • Average Annual Temperature: ~41.2°F
  • Why it is cold: Known as the "North Pole of the contiguous 48 states," it experiences deep continental winter freezes.
  • Extreme low: -60°F (recorded in Tower in 1996).

What is the currently coldest city in the US?

Fairbanks, Alaska is the overall coldest city in the United States based on long-term climate data.

Coldest Cities Breakdown

  • Overall Coldest: Fairbanks, Alaska, holds the top spot with an average annual temperature of roughly 27.6°F to 28.3°F and extreme winter lows dipping past -50°F or -66°F.
  • Coldest in the Lower 48 (Contiguous U.S.): Grand Forks, North Dakota, is widely recognized as the coldest city in the continental United States, featuring an average annual temperature near 39.8°F and bitter winter wind chills.
  • Coldest Incorporated Place: Utqiagvik, Alaska (formerly Barrow), is the northernmost and coldest inhabited town/city area, with an average annual temperature of 12.7°F.
  • Coldest Major Metro Area (1M+ residents): Minneapolis, Minnesota, ranks as the coldest major urban center in the country.

Which is the no. 1 coldest city in the world?

Yakutsk, Russia, is widely recognized as the number one coldest city in the world.

Climate Facts

  • Average Winter Low: Temperatures in January drop to around −42°C (−44°F).
  • Record Low: The lowest recorded temperature in the city is −64.4°C (−83.9°F).
  • Location: It is the capital of the Sakha Republic in Siberia, Russia.
  • Population: Over 350,000 people live in the city despite the extreme climate.

How Residents Adapt

  • Buildings on Stilts: Structures are raised on concrete pillars to prevent indoor heat from melting the deep permafrost.
  • Running Cars: Drivers leave their car engines running for hours to keep fuel lines from freezing solid.
  • Outdoor Markets: Vendors do not use freezers; fish and meat are kept outside because the air acts as a natural deep freeze.

Life in America’s Coldest City (-66°F) | Fairbanks, Alaska

9 related questions found

Which US cities have the worst winters?

Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Syracuse, New York, rank among the U.S. cities with the absolute worst winters due to extreme subzero temperatures and massive snowfall.

Major Cities with Harsh Winters

  • Minneapolis, Minnesota: Holds some of the lowest average winter mean temperatures among major metros (around 19.6°F) and records over 20 days per year with lows at or below 0°F. Wind chills can plummet past -30°F to -67°F.
  • Syracuse, New York: Known as one of the snowiest major cities in America, averaging over 111 to 127 inches of snow annually driven by regional storm tracks and lake-effect moisture.
  • Cleveland, Ohio: Frequently tops weather lists compiled by publications like Forbes for combining heavy lake-effect snow (nearly 60 inches a year) with cold annual averages and grey skies.
  • Chicago, Illinois: Famous for bitter winds howling off Lake Michigan, creating deep-freeze conditions and intense winter storms.
  • Fairbanks, Alaska: Experiences the most punishing extreme cold in the U.S., with winter temperatures frequently dropping to -50°F or lower.

What is the cheapest cold state to live in?

West Virginia is one of the cheapest and coldest options, featuring very low median home values and true winter seasons.

Top Affordable Cold States

  • West Virginia: Offers some of the lowest housing costs in the nation with average home prices well below the national median, alongside snowy winter weather.
  • Ohio: Combines a low overall cost of living with very affordable housing in cities like Cleveland and Cincinnati, though winters are cold and gray.
  • Michigan: Provides low home prices and a vibrant winter lifestyle, balanced by a relatively low state tax burden and cost of living.
  • Kansas: Ranks high for affordability with low grocery and housing costs, experiencing cold winters and flat plains.
  • Missouri: Features affordable city and rural living, particularly outside major coasts, with distinct seasonal temperature drops.

Things to Consider

  • Heating Bills: Low housing prices can be offset by high winter heating costs.
  • Maintenance: Factor in extra expenses for snow removal, winter tires, and vehicle upkeep.

What state has the worst winter?

North Dakota frequently ranks as the state with the most miserable winter due to its combination of extreme cold, high winds, flat terrain, and lack of trees.

Other top contenders for the harshest winters include:

  • Minnesota: Known for sub-zero temperatures, long stretches of ice, and severe wind chills.
  • Alaska: The coldest state overall with extreme darkness and long periods of minimal sunlight, though some rankings place it near the top for raw severity.
  • Michigan: Famous for heavy lake-effect snow, particularly in the Upper Peninsula, and a high number of overcast, grey days.
  • South Dakota: Experiences brutal arctic air masses, high-speed winds, and blowing snow.

What are the 20 coldest states in the US?

Alaska is the coldest state in the U.S. by average annual temperature, followed by northern tier and high-elevation states like North Dakota, Minnesota, and Maine.

According to data compiled from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), here are the 20 coldest states in the U.S. ranked from coldest to mildest annual average temperature:

The 20 Coldest States

  1. Alaska (28.1°F)
  2. North Dakota (41.1°F)
  3. Minnesota (41.8°F)
  4. Maine (41.9°F)
  5. Wyoming (42.3°F)
  6. Montana (42.6°F)
  7. Vermont (43.2°F)
  8. Idaho (44°F, tie)
  9. Wisconsin (44°F, tie)
  10. New Hampshire (44.2°F)
  11. Michigan (45.3°F)
  12. South Dakota (45.8°F)
  13. New York (46.1°F)
  14. Colorado (46.3°F)
  15. Washington (47.4°F)
  16. Oregon (48°F)
  17. Iowa (48.4°F)
  18. Massachusetts (48.9°F)
  19. Utah (49.3°F)
  20. Nebraska (49.5°F)

Key Factors Causing the Chill

  • Latitude: Being farther north means less direct sunlight over the year.
  • Elevation: Mountainous states like Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah feature high-altitude areas that lower overall averages.
  • Continentality: Inland northern plains (like the Dakotas) lack large oceans to moderate extreme winter temperatures.

What state has cool summers?

Alaska, Washington, and Maine are among the U.S. states with the coolest summer weather.

Top States for Cool Summers

  • Alaska: This state has the lowest overall summer temperatures in the country, with statewide summer averages near 50°F (10°C). Coastal areas and the far north stay very chilly.
  • Washington: Western Washington stays cool because of breezes from the Pacific Ocean. Summer highs near the coast often sit in the mid-50s to mid-60s°F (12–18°C).
  • Maine: Coastal Maine offers mild, comfortable summers. Sea breezes keep the temperature down, though inland spots can occasionally get warmer.
  • Mountain States (Wyoming, Montana, Colorado): High elevation keeps mountain towns cool during the day and crisp at night, with summer temperatures often dropping into the 40s and 50s after dark.