What You Need To Know
- The coldest day of the year largely varies if you live east or west of the Rocky Mountains
- Most across the eastern United States find their coldest time of the year in late January
- The western United States typically is coldest in December
- NOAA has found that the coldest day has been shifting later into winter
The Coldest Day of the Year is Coming
As winter progresses across the Northern Hemisphere, cold outbreaks are becoming more common. And for many across the nation, the coldest day of the year is likely on the way to your city.
Regional Differences
As we move deeper into the heart of winter, the coldest part of the year is upon us across the Midwest and Northeast. Back in 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released an interactive map that details when the coldest day of the year is for your city.
NOAA’s Analysis
In the analysis conducted by NOAA’s National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI), climate experts found that this chilly milestone is now happening later than it used to. Check out the map below. It reveals when, on average, the coldest day of the year hits based on data from 1991 to 2020. From the Mississippi Valley to the East Coast, temperatures hit rock bottom around mid-to-late January.
The Shift
According to their report, the study found several interesting regional differences across the nation. But the most notable observation was the separation between dates the Rocky Mountains bring forth. That’s because temperatures out west of the Rockies are largely influenced by the parade of storm systems moving ashore from the Pacific Ocean. These storm systems determine the temperature influences, and thus temperatures more closely align with the seasonal solar cycle if you live west of the Rocky Mountains.
Eastern United States
But for those located east of the Rockies, the analysis found that the date for the coldest day of the year has slid later into the season. While the West largely finds their temperature fluctuations based on storm systems, the eastern U.S. finds their temperature regime largely dictated by modified snow cover to the north.
Conclusion
The actual coldest day may happen in your area earlier or later than what the map above suggests. NOAA’s analysis points out an interesting shift, however: Compared to climatological averages from 1981 to 2010, the coldest day is now occurring three to six days later or more in many places east of the Rockies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the coldest day of the year?
A: The coldest day of the year is the day with the lowest average temperature during the winter season.
Q: Does the coldest day of the year vary by region?
A: Yes, the coldest day of the year largely varies if you live east or west of the Rocky Mountains.
Q: When is the coldest day of the year in the eastern United States?
A: Most across the eastern United States find their coldest time of the year in late January.
Q: When is the coldest day of the year in the western United States?
A: The western United States typically is coldest in December.
Q: Has the coldest day of the year been shifting later into winter?
A: Yes, NOAA has found that the coldest day has been shifting later into winter.
