America's Coldest Temperatures: A State-by-State Record

America's climate extremes tell a story of dramatic temperature swings, from the bone-chilling lows of the Arctic to the tropical warmth of the Pacific islands. While some states shattered records in recent years, others documented their coldest moments decades ago.

According to data compiled by NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee, the United States has experienced some of the most extreme cold snaps in modern history. The coldest temperature ever recorded in the US was -80 degrees Fahrenheit at Prospect Creek Camp in Alaska on January 23, 1971.

This comprehensive look at state records reveals fascinating patterns about American weather history, from the earliest documented freezes to the most recent record-breaking cold.

While the entire nation has experienced sub-zero temperatures, one state stands apart. Hawaii remains the only state in the US yet to report a temperature below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Its coldest recorded temperature was 12 degrees at the Mauna Kea Observatory on May 17, 1979.

Interestingly, forecasters believe this record may have changed. In February 2019, several sensors at the Mauna Kea Observatory reported temperatures between 8 and 11 degrees Fahrenheit, though this has yet to be officially confirmed.

The 21st century has been relatively quiet for state-level cold records. Only three states have recorded their lowest-ever temperatures since 2000:

• Maine hit -50°F in Big Black River (2009)
• Illinois reached -38°F in Mount Carroll (2019)
• Oklahoma recorded -31°F in Nowata (2011)

Despite the world getting hotter overall, these recent records demonstrate that extreme cold events continue to occur across the United States.

The winter of 1899 stands out as one of the most significant cold events in American weather history. Known as the Great Arctic Outbreak, this event brought record-low minimum temperatures to 12 states during a two-week period in February.

Weather historian David Ludlum described it as "the greatest arctic outbreak in history" at the time. The storm was so severe that newspapers called it "The Snow King," "The Ice King," and "the Great Blizzard of 1899."

Several states recorded their all-time coldest temperatures during this historic event:

• Arkansas: -29°F in Brook Farm Pond (1905)
• Kansas: -40°F in Lebanon (1905)
• Louisiana: -16°F in Minden (1899)
• Ohio: -39°F in Milligan (1899)
• Texas: -23°F in Seminole (1933) and Tulia (1899)

The storm's impact was so widespread that it affected states far from its epicenter, including Nebraska, where the Christmas Snowstorm of 1989 broke records decades later.

The Northeast experienced some of its most extreme cold during the mid-20th century. Connecticut recorded its coldest temperature twice: -32°F in Falls Village (1943) and again in Coventry (1961). Massachusetts matched this with -35°F recorded in three different locations across different decades.

In the Midwest, the 1990s brought several record-breaking cold snaps. Indiana, Iowa, and Kentucky all recorded their lowest temperatures in January 1994. Indiana's -36°F in New Whiteland was particularly notable because every location in the state dropped below zero that morning.

The West contains some of the nation's most extreme temperature variations. Montana's -70°F at Rogers Pass in 1954 remains one of the lowest temperatures ever recorded in the lower 48 states. Meanwhile, Wyoming's -66°F in Yellowstone National Park (1933) highlights the extreme conditions in high-elevation areas.

"It was the coldest day ever observed in the lower 48 states." - Corby Dickerson, National Weather Service meteorologist

Recent years have seen several states break their own cold records. Illinois set a new state record in January 2019 when Mount Carroll hit -38°F. The reading required extensive review before the State Climate Extremes Committee validated it as the official state record.

Maine also set a new record in 2009, reaching -50°F in Big Black River. After a month of scrutiny, scientists confirmed the reading was accurate. "It turned out [the -50 reading] was spot on," said Bob Lent, Maine director of the US Geological Survey.

Even states known for mild winters have experienced extreme cold. Florida recorded -2°F in Tallahassee in 1899, while Georgia hit -17°F in 1940. These records remind us that even the warmest states aren't immune to arctic blasts.

As a winter storm prepares to barrel across the South, Plains, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast this weekend, meteorologists are watching closely. The storm could potentially set new record low temperatures into next week, adding another chapter to America's cold weather history.

America's coldest temperatures tell a story of resilience and adaptation. From the -80°F recorded in Alaska to Hawaii's tropical 12°F, these extremes define the nation's climate diversity.

While the world continues to warm, extreme cold events remain a reality. The upcoming winter storm serves as a reminder that even in a warming world, nature can still deliver bone-chilling temperatures.

These records, carefully documented by NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee, provide valuable data for understanding our changing climate. They help meteorologists predict future patterns and prepare communities for extreme weather events.

Whether you're in the frozen north or the sunny south, understanding your state's temperature extremes can help you prepare for whatever weather comes your way.