Are you wondering which states are the coldest in the US? Below, we rank the 50 states by their minimum temperature from January to December 2023, based on data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The Coldest States in the US
According to the NOAA data, the coldest state in the US in 2023 was Wyoming, with an average minimum temperature of 29.5°F. Wyoming is located in the Rocky Mountains region, which is known for its high elevation and low humidity. The state also has a continental climate, which means it experiences large temperature variations between seasons and day and night.
The second coldest state was North Dakota, with an average minimum temperature of 31.0°F. North Dakota is part of the Great Plains region, which is characterized by flat terrain and strong winds. The state also has a continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers.
The third coldest state was Colorado, with an average minimum temperature of 32.2°F. Colorado is also located in the Rocky Mountains region and has the highest average elevation of any state in the US. The state has a varied climate, depending on the altitude and location. Some areas have a semi-arid climate, while others have a subarctic climate.
The table below shows the ranking of the 50 states by their minimum temperature.
| Rank | State | Minimum Temperature (°F) |
| 1 | Wyoming | 29.5 |
| 2 | North Dakota | 31.0 |
| 3 | Colorado | 32.2 |
| 4 | Montana | 32.2 |
| 5 | Idaho | 32.5 |
| 6 | Minnesota | 33.6 |
| 7 | South Dakota | 34.8 |
| 8 | Maine | 35.1 |
| 9 | Utah | 36.0 |
| 10 | Vermont | 36.1 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | 36.3 |
| 12 | Oregon | 36.9 |
| 13 | Nevada | 37.1 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 37.1 |
| 15 | Nebraska | 37.9 |
| 16 | Michigan | 38.0 |
| 17 | New York | 38.7 |
| 18 | Washington | 38.9 |
| 19 | Iowa | 39.7 |
| 20 | New Mexico | 40.2 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | 41.1 |
| 22 | Massachusetts | 41.7 |
| 23 | Connecticut | 42.5 |
| 24 | West Virginia | 42.6 |
| 25 | Ohio | 43.2 |
| 26 | Kansas | 43.3 |
| 27 | Indiana | 43.8 |
| 28 | Rhode Island | 43.8 |
| 29 | Illinois | 44.2 |
| 30 | New Jersey | 45.2 |
| 31 | Missouri | 46.0 |
| 32 | California | 46.3 |
| 33 | Virginia | 46.3 |
| 34 | Arizona | 46.5 |
| 35 | Kentucky | 46.8 |
| 36 | Maryland | 46.9 |
| 37 | Delaware | 48.0 |
| 38 | Tennessee | 48.9 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | 49.4 |
| 40 | North Carolina | 49.6 |
| 41 | Arkansas | 51.9 |
| 42 | South Carolina | 53.2 |
| 43 | Alabama | 54.0 |
| 44 | Georgia | 54.1 |
| 45 | Mississippi | 55.4 |
| 46 | Texas | 55.6 |
| 47 | Louisiana | 59.0 |
| 48 | Florida | 62.9 |
As you can see, the coldest states are mostly located in the northern and western regions of the US, while the warmest states are mostly located in the southern and eastern regions. This is because the temperature is influenced by several factors, such as:
- Elevation: Higher altitudes tend to have lower temperatures, due to the lower air pressure and density. This explains why states like Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah are among the coldest, despite being relatively close to the equator.
- Latitude: Higher latitudes tend to have lower temperatures, due to the lower angle and duration of sunlight. This explains why states like Alaska, Maine, and Vermont are among the coldest, despite being relatively close to the ocean.
- Proximity to water: Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means it can absorb and release a lot of heat without changing its temperature much. This moderates the temperature of nearby land, making it warmer in winter and cooler in summer. This explains why states like California, Washington, and Florida are among the warmest, despite being relatively far from the equator.
You may also be interested in the following:
Snowiest Places in the US– Record Breaking snowstorms