The lowest temperature ever recorded in each state

States across the U.S. have experienced extreme cold at different times, with some records set decades ago while others occurred more recently. Notably, Hawaii remains the only state that has not reported temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit.

The coldest temperature ever recorded in the country was -80F in Alaska in 1971. Despite these historic lows, global temperatures continue to rise. Only three states have reached their all-time lows in the 21st century, yet recent winter storms continue to challenge records in the Plains, Midwest, and Northeast.

State-by-State Cold Records

• Alabama: -27F in New Market, January 30, 1966. Initially misreported, the corrected record was confirmed years later.
• Alaska: -80F at Prospect Creek Camp, January 23, 1971. Unverified reports suggest even lower temperatures occurred elsewhere in the state.
• Arizona: -40F at Hawley Lake, January 7, 1971.
• Arkansas: -29F at Brook Farm Pond, February 13, 1905.
• California: -45F in Boca, January 20, 1937.
• Colorado: -61F in Maybell, February 1, 1985.
• Connecticut: -32F in Falls Village, February 16, 1943, and again in Coventry, January 22, 1961.
• Delaware: -17F in Millsboro, January 17, 1893.
• Florida: -2F in Tallahassee, February 13, 1899.
• Georgia: -17F at CCC Fire Camp F-16 near Beatum, January 27, 1940.
• Hawaii: 12F at Mauna Kea Observatory, May 17, 1979.
• Idaho: -60F at Island Park Dam, January 18, 1943.
• Illinois: -38F in Mount Carroll, January 31, 2019.
• Indiana: -36F in New Whiteland, January 19, 1994.
• Iowa: -47F in Elkader, February 3, 1996.
• Kansas: -40F in Lebanon, February 13, 1905.
• Kentucky: -37F in Shelbyville, January 19, 1994.
• Louisiana: -16F in Minden, February 13, 1899.
• Maine: -50F in Big Black River, January 16, 2009.
• Maryland: -40F in Oakland, January 13, 1912.
• Massachusetts: -35F in Chester, January 12, 1981, Coldbrook, February 15, 1943, and Taunton, January 5, 1904.
• Michigan: -51F in Vanderbilt, February 9, 1934.
• Minnesota: -60F in Tower, February 2, 1996.
• Mississippi: -19F in Corinth, January 30, 1966.
• Missouri: -40F in Warsaw, February 13, 1905.
• Montana: -70F in Rogers Pass, January 20, 1954.
• Nebraska: -47F in Oshkosh, December 22, 1989.
• Nevada: -50F in San Jacinto, January 8, 1937.
• New Hampshire: -50F on Mount Washington, January 22, 1885.
• New Jersey: -34F in River Vale, January 5, 1904.
• New Mexico: -50F in Gavilan, February 1, 1951.
• New York: -52F in Old Forge, February 18, 1979.
• North Carolina: -34F on Mount Mitchell, January 21, 1985.
• North Dakota: -60F in Parshall, February 15, 1936.
• Ohio: -39F in Milligan, February 10, 1899.
• Oklahoma: -31F in Nowata, February 10, 2011.
• Oregon: -54F in Ukiah, February 9, 1933, and Seneca, February 10, 1933.
• Pennsylvania: -42F in Smethport, January 5, 1904.
• Rhode Island: -28F in Wood River Junction, January 11, 1942.
• South Carolina: -19F in Caesar's Head, January 21, 1985.
• South Dakota: -58F in McIntosh, February 17, 1936.
• Tennessee: -32F in Mountain City, December 30, 1917.
• Texas: -23F in Seminole, February 8, 1933, and Tulia 6NE, February 12, 1899.
• Utah: -50F in Strawberry Tunnel (East), January 5, 1913.
• Vermont: -50F in Bloomfield, December 30, 1933.
• Virginia: -30F at Mountain Lake Biological Station, January 21, 1985.
• Washington: -48F in Mazama and Winthrop, December 30, 1968.
• West Virginia: -37F in Lewisburg, December 30, 1917.
• Wisconsin: -55F in Couderay, February 4, 1996.
• Wyoming: -66F at Riverside Ranger Station, February 9, 1933.

These extreme lows highlight the diversity of climates across the U.S., from tropical Hawaii to frigid Alaska, and serve as a reminder of the variability and intensity of weather events nationwide.

Author: Lucas Grant