What You Need To Know
- Alaska is home to the lowest temperature ever recorded in the U.S.
- Every state has dropped below zero degrees except Hawaii
- All-time cold records are most common in January
Coldest on Record
Coming with little surprise, Alaska is home to the lowest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. In 1971, Prospect Creek Camp, a small and remote settlement north of Fairbanks, dropped to 80 degrees below zero.
In the Lower 48, the Mountain West region is home to the coldest temperatures on record. Aside from Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado are the only states that have ever fallen more than 60 degrees below zero. Idaho, Minnesota, and the Dakotas have also fallen right around 60 below zero. If you’ve ever been to the Northern Plains during the winter, it should not come with much surprise.
Extreme Cold is Predictable… Except for One Place
The three coldest months of the year, also known as meteorological winter, are December, January, and February. Knowing this, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that every state’s coldest temperature has been in that three-month span… except for one. According to NOAA, Hawaii’s lowest temperature ever was on May 12, 1979, at Mauna Kea Observatory. Even stranger? Hawaii’s hottest temperature ever is earlier in the year, in April.
Even in a Warming World, Extreme Cold Happens
There is no significant trend when looking at each state’s lowest temperature on record by decade. According to NOAA, “since 1896, average winter temperatures across the contiguous 48 states have increased by nearly 3 degrees.” Since winter is the most vulnerable season to rising temperatures compared to the other three, you might think that all-time cold records would become less common in a warming world. Despite warmer overall temperatures, and unusually cold winter temperatures becoming less common—especially overnight lows—there are still all-time records being set as recently as 2019 in Illinois.
Conclusion
While it may seem counterintuitive, extreme cold temperatures can still occur in a warming world. As temperatures continue to rise, it’s essential to stay informed about weather patterns and climate changes.
FAQs
Q: Which state is home to the lowest temperature ever recorded in the U.S.?
A: Alaska
Q: Which state has never dropped below zero?
A: Hawaii
Q: When are all-time cold records most common?
A: January
Q: Why do all-time cold records not follow a significant trend in a warming world?
A: According to NOAA, average winter temperatures across the contiguous 48 states have increased by nearly 3 degrees since 1896, but all-time cold records still occur due to factors such as unusual weather patterns and temperature fluctuations.
