The coldest temperature ever recorded in every state

Melissa WellsJan 14, 2024, 02:15 IST

Snow-covered mountains in New Mexico.Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock

Some states' coldest temperatures were recorded decades ago, while others are more recent.
Hawaii is the only state that hasn't reported a temperature below zero degrees Fahrenheit.

Over the last century, we've seen record-breaking temperature drops across the US. But as the world continues to get hotter, only three states have recorded their lowest-ever temperatures in the 21st century.

In Alaska, the coldest temperature recorded was -80 degrees Fahrenheit in Prospect Creek Camp in 1971. And all but one of the 50 states have reported a temperature below zero — only Hawaii, which recorded its lowest temperature of 12 degrees Fahrenheit at the Mauna Kea Observatory on May 17, 1979, has never been sub-zero.

According to data compiled by NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee, here are the coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state.

Alabama's lowest recorded temperature was -27 degrees Fahrenheit at New Market on January 30, 1966.

Snowy winter road in Alabama.Melissa Bobo/Shutterstock

Alaska's lowest recorded temperature was -80 degrees Fahrenheit at Prospect Creek Camp on January 23, 1971.

A dramatic sunset illuminates the clear waters of Phelan Creek in early spring in the Alaska Range.Troutnut/Shutterstock

Arizona's lowest recorded temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit at Hawley Lake on January 7, 1971.

Arizona after a heavy snow storm.Alexey Stiop/Shutterstock

Arkansas' lowest recorded temperature was -29 degrees Fahrenheit in Brook Farm Pond near Gravette on February 13, 1905.

Early morning sunrise in Arkansas.Michael t. Morrison/Shutterstock

California's lowest recorded temperature was -45 degrees Fahrenheit in Boca on January 20, 1937.

View of Truckee river and Boca Hill in snow near interstate 80 at the California-Nevada state line.AJ9/Shutterstock

Colorado's lowest recorded temperature was -61 degrees Fahrenheit in Maybell on February 1, 1985.

Winter landscape of Colorado San Juan mountains and alpine forest covered with freshly fallen snow.Teri Virbickis/Shutterstock

Connecticut's lowest recorded temperature was -32 degrees Fahrenheit in Coventry on January 22, 1961. Previously, it was in Falls Village on February 16, 1943.

Winter in Connecticut.Michael Macsuga/Shutterstock

Delaware's lowest recorded temperature was -17 degrees Fahrenheit in Millsboro on January 17, 1893.

Beautiful view near the river after a snowstorm in Delaware.Khairil Azhar Junos/Shutterstock

Florida's lowest recorded temperature was -2 degrees Fahrenheit in Tallahassee on February 13, 1899.

Sunrise in Florida in the Winter.Jesse Kunerth/Shutterstock

Georgia's lowest recorded temperature was -17 degrees Fahrenheit in CCC Fire Camp F-16 near Beatum on January 27, 1940.

The snow-covered mountains in Georgia.PaulDaniel5010/Shutterstock

Hawaii's lowest recorded temperature was 12 degrees Fahrenheit at the Mauna Kea Observatory on May 17, 1979.

Sunset at the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii.Alexey Kamenskiy/Shutterstock

Idaho's lowest recorded temperature was -60 degrees Fahrenheit in Island Park Dam on January 18, 1943.

Winter Shoreline in Idaho.Grimm Film/Shutterstock

Illinois' lowest recorded temperature was -38 degrees Fahrenheit in Mount Carroll on January 31, 2019.

Old Train Bridge over a Canal in Winter (Illinois).Randy R/Shutterstock

Indiana's lowest recorded temperature was -36 degrees Fahrenheit in New Whiteland on January 19, 1994.

Winter in Indiana.Waldos photo/Shutterstock

Iowa's lowest recorded temperature was -47 degrees Fahrenheit in Elkader on February 3, 1996. Previously, it was in Washta on January 12, 1912.

Iowa winter garden on full display.Lisa J Loewen/Shutterstock

Kansas' lowest recorded temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit in Lebanon on February 13, 1905.

Pedestrians walk down snow-swept streets in Kansas.Julie Denesha /Getty Images

Kentucky's lowest recorded temperature was -37 degrees Fahrenheit in Shelbyville on January 19, 1994.

Beautiful winter morning on a small lake in Kentucky.Alexey Stiop/Shutterstock

Louisiana's lowest recorded temperature was -16 degrees Fahrenheit in Minden on February 13, 1899.

Minden, Louisiana.Woody Wiyninger / 500px/Getty Images

Maine's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Big Black River on January 16, 2009.

Winter mountaintop landscape in Maine.Andrew Siegel/Shutterstock

Maryland's lowest recorded temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit in Oakland on January 13, 1912.

Muddy Creek Falls in Swallow Falls State Park in Oakland, Maryland.Richard Bizick/Shutterstock

Massachusetts's lowest recorded temperature was -35 degrees Fahrenheit in Chester on January 12, 1981.

Winter-time hiking to the Sanderson Brook Falls in Chester, Massachusetts.scott conner/Shutterstock

Michigan's lowest recorded temperature was -51 degrees Fahrenheit in Vanderbilt on February 9, 1934.

Sunrise over a frozen lake in Michigan.John McCormick/Shutterstock

Minnesota's lowest recorded temperature was -60 degrees Fahrenheit in Tower on February 2, 1996.

Minnesota.JordanSchopper/Shutterstock

Mississippi's lowest recorded temperature was -19 degrees Fahrenheit in Corinth on January 30, 1966.

Trees on a snow-covered field during winter in Mississippi.Barbara Windham / 500px/Getty Images

Missouri's lowest recorded temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit in Warsaw on February 13, 1905.

Missouri.Tara Ballard/Shutterstock

Montana's lowest recorded temperature was -70 degrees Fahrenheit in Rogers Pass on January 20, 1954.

Mountain at Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park in Montana.Urban Images/Shutterstock

Nebraska's lowest recorded temperature was -47 degrees Fahrenheit in Oshkosh on December 22, 1989. Previously, it was in Bridgeport on February 12, 1899.

Sunrise over the Platte River after a snowstorm in Nebraska.Diana Robinson Photography/Getty Images

Nevada's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in San Jacinto on January 8, 1937.

Nevada winter landscape with cloud inversion.Neil Lockhart/Shutterstock

New Hampshire's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Mount Washington on January 22, 1885.

View from Boott Spur Trail towards Huntington Ravine and Raymond Cataract on Mount Washington, New Hampshire.Ed Dods/Shutterstock

New Jersey's lowest recorded temperature was -34 degrees Fahrenheit in River Vale on January 5, 1904.

A road just plowed after a large snowfall in rural Central New Jersey.Andrew F. Kazmierski/Shutterstock

New Mexico's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Gavilan on February 1, 1951.

Snow-covered mountains in New Mexico.Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock

New York's lowest recorded temperature was -52 degrees Fahrenheit in Old Forge on February 18, 1979.

Winter Sunrise from Bald Mountain in Old Forge, New York in the Adirondack Mountains.PureADK/Shutterstock

North Carolina's lowest recorded temperature was -34 degrees Fahrenheit in Mount Mitchell on January 21, 1985.

Fresh snow covers trees at the crest of Mount Mitchell in North Carolina.Bonita R. Cheshier/Shutterstock

North Dakota's lowest recorded temperature was -60 degrees Fahrenheit in Parshall on February 15, 1936.

Driving on state Highway 85 north of I-94 in North Dakota.CJ Cagney/Shutterstock

Ohio's lowest recorded temperature was -39 degrees Fahrenheit in Milligan on February 10, 1899.

A snowy winter sunrise scene in Ohio with the snow clinging to the trees.Michael Shake/Shutterstock

Oklahoma's lowest recorded temperature was -31 degrees Fahrenheit in Nowata on February 10, 2011.

A street full of snow in Oklahoma.Wichakorn Kitrungrot/Shutterstock

Oregon's lowest recorded temperature was -54 degrees Fahrenheit in Ukiah on February 9, 1933, and in Seneca on February 10, 1933.

A winter sun sets over the Cascade Mountain Range in Central Oregon.Wasim Muklashy/Shutterstock

Pennsylvania's lowest recorded temperature was -42 degrees Fahrenheit in Smethport on January 5, 1904.

Winter landscape in Pennsylvania.Marcello Sgarlato/Shutterstock

Rhode Island's lowest recorded temperature was -28 degrees Fahrenheit in Wood River Junction on January 11, 1942.

Winter sunrise in Rhode Island.JonPeckham/Shutterstock

South Carolina's lowest recorded temperature was -19 degrees Fahrenheit in Caesar's Head on January 21, 1985.

Winter in South Carolina.Casual Creation/Shutterstock

South Dakota's lowest recorded temperature was -58 degrees Fahrenheit in McIntosh on February 17, 1936.

Girl standing under a frozen waterfall in South Dakota.Byron Banasiak/Shutterstock

Tennessee's lowest recorded temperature was -32 degrees Fahrenheit in Mountain City on December 30, 1917.

Snow Panorama in Tennessee.RichardBarrow/Shutterstock

Texas' lowest recorded temperature was -23 degrees Fahrenheit in Seminole on February 8, 1933. Previously, the same temperature was recorded in Tulia 6NE on February 12, 1899.

Winter sunrise on the face of a rock outcropping in the caprock canyons of West Texas.Chris Jeans/Shutterstock

Texas' lowest recorded temperature was -23 degrees Fahrenheit in Seminole on February 8, 1933. Previously, the same temperature was recorded in Tulia 6NE on February 12, 1899.

Utah's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Strawberry Tunnel (East) on January 5, 1913.

A hiker ventures along the snowy trails of Utah in the winter.Ashley Hadzopoulos/Shutterstock

Vermont's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Bloomfield on December 30, 1933.

Winter morning in Vermont.andrew12832/Shutterstock

Virginia's lowest recorded temperature was -30 degrees Fahrenheit in Mountain Lake Biological Station on January 21, 1985.

Winter landscape in Virginia.mbell/Getty Images

Washington's lowest recorded temperature was -48 degrees Fahrenheit in Mazama and Winthrop on December 30, 1968.

North Cascades National Park near Winthrop, Washington.Marina Poushkina/Shutterstock

West Virginia's lowest recorded temperature was -37 degrees Fahrenheit in Lewisburg on December 30, 1917.

Snow on a frigid December day in a patch of woods and fields in West Virginia.Malachi Jacobs/Shutterstock

Wisconsin's lowest recorded temperature was -55 degrees Fahrenheit in Couderay on February 4, 1996. Previously, it was in Couderay on February 2, 1996.

Stream running through a snow-covered Wisconsin forest in January.Michael Tatman/Shutterstock

Wyoming's lowest recorded temperature was -66 degrees Fahrenheit in Riverside Ranger Station in Yellowstone National Park on February 9, 1933.

Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.Bruce Beck/Shutterstock

I've been to all 50 states. These 8 are the most underrated.

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The coldest temperature ever recorded in every state

Alabama's lowest recorded temperature was -27 degrees Fahrenheit at New Market on January 30, 1966.

Alaska's lowest recorded temperature was -80 degrees Fahrenheit at Prospect Creek Camp on January 23, 1971.

Arizona's lowest recorded temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit at Hawley Lake on January 7, 1971.

Arkansas' lowest recorded temperature was -29 degrees Fahrenheit in Brook Farm Pond near Gravette on February 13, 1905.

California's lowest recorded temperature was -45 degrees Fahrenheit in Boca on January 20, 1937.

Colorado's lowest recorded temperature was -61 degrees Fahrenheit in Maybell on February 1, 1985.

Connecticut's lowest recorded temperature was -32 degrees Fahrenheit in Coventry on January 22, 1961. Previously, it was in Falls Village on February 16, 1943.

Delaware's lowest recorded temperature was -17 degrees Fahrenheit in Millsboro on January 17, 1893.

Florida's lowest recorded temperature was -2 degrees Fahrenheit in Tallahassee on February 13, 1899.

Georgia's lowest recorded temperature was -17 degrees Fahrenheit in CCC Fire Camp F-16 near Beatum on January 27, 1940.

Hawaii's lowest recorded temperature was 12 degrees Fahrenheit at the Mauna Kea Observatory on May 17, 1979.

Idaho's lowest recorded temperature was -60 degrees Fahrenheit in Island Park Dam on January 18, 1943.

Illinois' lowest recorded temperature was -38 degrees Fahrenheit in Mount Carroll on January 31, 2019.

Indiana's lowest recorded temperature was -36 degrees Fahrenheit in New Whiteland on January 19, 1994.

Iowa's lowest recorded temperature was -47 degrees Fahrenheit in Elkader on February 3, 1996. Previously, it was in Washta on January 12, 1912.

Kansas' lowest recorded temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit in Lebanon on February 13, 1905.

Kentucky's lowest recorded temperature was -37 degrees Fahrenheit in Shelbyville on January 19, 1994.

Louisiana's lowest recorded temperature was -16 degrees Fahrenheit in Minden on February 13, 1899.

Maine's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Big Black River on January 16, 2009.

Maryland's lowest recorded temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit in Oakland on January 13, 1912.

Massachusetts's lowest recorded temperature was -35 degrees Fahrenheit in Chester on January 12, 1981.

Michigan's lowest recorded temperature was -51 degrees Fahrenheit in Vanderbilt on February 9, 1934.

Minnesota's lowest recorded temperature was -60 degrees Fahrenheit in Tower on February 2, 1996.

Mississippi's lowest recorded temperature was -19 degrees Fahrenheit in Corinth on January 30, 1966.

Missouri's lowest recorded temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit in Warsaw on February 13, 1905.

Montana's lowest recorded temperature was -70 degrees Fahrenheit in Rogers Pass on January 20, 1954.

Nebraska's lowest recorded temperature was -47 degrees Fahrenheit in Oshkosh on December 22, 1989. Previously, it was in Bridgeport on February 12, 1899.

Nevada's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in San Jacinto on January 8, 1937.

New Hampshire's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Mount Washington on January 22, 1885.

New Jersey's lowest recorded temperature was -34 degrees Fahrenheit in River Vale on January 5, 1904.

New Mexico's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Gavilan on February 1, 1951.

New York's lowest recorded temperature was -52 degrees Fahrenheit in Old Forge on February 18, 1979.

North Carolina's lowest recorded temperature was -34 degrees Fahrenheit in Mount Mitchell on January 21, 1985.

North Dakota's lowest recorded temperature was -60 degrees Fahrenheit in Parshall on February 15, 1936.

Ohio's lowest recorded temperature was -39 degrees Fahrenheit in Milligan on February 10, 1899.

Oklahoma's lowest recorded temperature was -31 degrees Fahrenheit in Nowata on February 10, 2011.

Oregon's lowest recorded temperature was -54 degrees Fahrenheit in Ukiah on February 9, 1933, and in Seneca on February 10, 1933.

Pennsylvania's lowest recorded temperature was -42 degrees Fahrenheit in Smethport on January 5, 1904.

Rhode Island's lowest recorded temperature was -28 degrees Fahrenheit in Wood River Junction on January 11, 1942.

South Carolina's lowest recorded temperature was -19 degrees Fahrenheit in Caesar's Head on January 21, 1985.

South Dakota's lowest recorded temperature was -58 degrees Fahrenheit in McIntosh on February 17, 1936.

Tennessee's lowest recorded temperature was -32 degrees Fahrenheit in Mountain City on December 30, 1917.

Texas' lowest recorded temperature was -23 degrees Fahrenheit in Seminole on February 8, 1933. Previously, the same temperature was recorded in Tulia 6NE on February 12, 1899.

Utah's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Strawberry Tunnel (East) on January 5, 1913.

Vermont's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Bloomfield on December 30, 1933.

Virginia's lowest recorded temperature was -30 degrees Fahrenheit in Mountain Lake Biological Station on January 21, 1985.

Washington's lowest recorded temperature was -48 degrees Fahrenheit in Mazama and Winthrop on December 30, 1968.

West Virginia's lowest recorded temperature was -37 degrees Fahrenheit in Lewisburg on December 30, 1917.

Wisconsin's lowest recorded temperature was -55 degrees Fahrenheit in Couderay on February 4, 1996. Previously, it was in Couderay on February 2, 1996.

Wyoming's lowest recorded temperature was -66 degrees Fahrenheit in Riverside Ranger Station in Yellowstone National Park on February 9, 1933.