The coldest temperature recorded in every state

Melissa WellsJan 16, 2024, 06:22 IST

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

While some states' coldest temperatures were recorded recently, others were documented decades ago.
Hawaii remains the only state in the US yet to report a temperature below zero degrees Fahrenheit.

Despite record-breaking temperature drops across the US over the last century, the world continues to get hotter. In fact, only three states have recorded their lowest-ever temperatures in the 21st century.

In Alaska, the coldest temperature ever 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: Hawaii, which recorded its lowest temperature of 12 degrees Fahrenheit at the Mauna Kea Observatory on May 17, 1979.

Per 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.Logan Rhoads/Shutterstock

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

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The coldest temperature 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.