Coldest Cities in the United States: Cold weather in the US can have severe consequences, especially for home insurance. The coldest cities in the United States face intense snow, scathing winds, and dangerous ice, posing risks to homes and personal safety. Many cities that are the most consistently cold record-low temperatures and over 60 inches of snow annually. The Midwest, particularly Minnesota and the Dakotas, have the lowest temperatures and longest winters, with at least 120 days below freezing. Climate change has also changed the course of weather in the US, with Alaska experiencing record heat in July.
List of Coldest Cities in the US
Here is the list of the coldest cities in the US. The list is based on the minimum average temperature and lowest recorded temperature:
1. Fairbanks, Alaska
- Min. Avg. Temperature: –16.9 degrees Fahrenheit
- Lowest Rec Temperature: –66 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Min. Avg. Temperature: –3.1 degrees Fahrenheit
- Lowest Rec Temperature: –43 degrees Fahrenheit
3. Williston, North Dakota
- Min. Avg. Temperature: 0.1 degrees Fahrenheit
- Lowest Rec Temperature: –50 degrees Fahrenheit
4. Fargo, North Dakota
- Min. Avg. Temperature: 0.1 degrees Fahrenheit
- Lowest Rec Temperature: –39 degrees Fahrenheit
5. Aberdeen, South Dakota
- Min. Avg. Temperature: 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit
- Lowest Rec Temperature: –46 degrees Fahrenheit
6. Duluth, Minnesota
- Min. Avg. Temperature: 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit
- Lowest Rec Temperature: –39 degrees Fahrenheit
7. St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Min. Avg. Temperature: 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit
- Lowest Rec Temperature: –43 degrees Fahrenheit
8. Bismarck, North Dakota
- Min. Avg. Temperature: 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit
- Lowest Rec Temperature: –44 degrees Fahrenheit
9. Marquette, Michigan
- Min. Avg. Temperature: 5.2 degrees Fahrenheit
- Lowest Rec Temperature: –34 degrees Fahrenheit
10. Huron, South Dakota
- Min. Avg. Temperature: 6.6 degrees Fahrenheit
- Lowest Rec Temperature: –43 degrees Fahrenheit
11. Rochester, Minnesota
- Min. Avg. Temperature: 8.0 degrees Fahrenheit
- Lowest Rec Temperature: –40 degrees Fahrenheit
12. Anchorage, Alaska
- Min. Avg. Temperature: 13 degrees Fahrenheit
- Lowest Rec Temperature: –34 degrees Fahrenheit
13. Concord, New Hampshire
- Min. Avg. Temperature: 15 degrees Fahrenheit
- Lowest Rec Temperature: –37 degrees Fahrenheit
Coldest Cities in the United States
Explore the specifics of the coldest cities in the US, gauged by both minimum average temperature and lowest recorded temperature. This curated list provides concise insights into their distinctive cold climates.
1. Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks, one of the most coldest cities in the United States, located below sea level in the Tanana Valley, receives limited sunlight and warmth from the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Alaska. Its latitude and distance from the ocean make it significantly colder than other major US cities. Despite this, Fairbanks records 64.8 inches of snow on average each year, making it one of the cloudiest cities in the US.
Population: 32,702
Minimum average temperature: Minus 16.9 degrees Fahrenheit
Lowest recorded temperature: Minus 66 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota, is positioned in the Arctic air masses’ path, causing bitter cold in winter. Due to its flat, arid landscape, Grand Forks is more susceptible to extreme cold and wind.
Population: 58,781
Average minimum temperature: Minus 3.1 degrees Fahrenheit
Lowest recorded temperature: Minus 43 degrees Fahrenheit
3. Williston, North Dakota
Williston, located west of Grand Forks, has cold temperatures with minimum averages around zero degrees. Its coldest month is January, with average temperatures ranging between 5 and 23 degrees. Williston experiences a wide range of weather throughout the year.
Population: 27,332
Minimum average temperature: 0.1 degrees Fahrenheit
Lowest recorded temperature: Minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit
4. Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo, a North Dakota city, is known for its extreme cold and wind, but experiences four seasons and is a prime candidate for Arctic air. It shares similarities with Grand Forks but is farther south. Fargo is also the capital of “Blizzard Alley,” a strip of land with frequent blizzard conditions.
Population: 126,748
Minimum average temperature: 0.1 degrees Fahrenheit
Lowest recorded temperature: Minus 39 degrees Fahrenheit
5. Aberdeen, South Dakota
Aberdeen, a city in the Northern Plains, experiences extreme cold temperatures in winter, with an average January temperature of 12.0°F. However, it can get warm in summer, with July temperatures reaching 71.3°F.
Population: 28,324
Minimum average temperature: 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit
Lowest recorded temperature: Minus 46 degrees Fahrenheit
6. Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, located in the Midwest, is known for its extreme cold due to its proximity to Lake Superior, a phenomenon known as lake effect snow. The city experiences 83.5 inches of snowfall each winter, making it the seventh-snowiest city in the US. In spring and summer, the city enjoys warm temperatures and a busy tourism season.
Population: 86,372
Minimum average temperature: 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit
Lowest recorded temperature: Minus 39 degrees Fahrenheit
7. St. Cloud, Minnesota
St. Cloud, Minnesota, is a central city with cold winters and warmer summers due to its distance from Lake Superior and high humidity. It receives 45 inches of snow annually and experiences more rain and humidity in the summer, making it a less desirable destination.
Population: 68,818
Minimum average temperature: 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit
Lowest recorded temperature: Minus 43 degrees Fahrenheit
8. Bismarck, North Dakota
Bismarck, located 185 miles west of Fargo and 175 miles west-southwest of Grand Forks, is susceptible to bitter cold in winter due to the Rocky Mountains’ warming influence. With four distinct seasons and arid climate, it experiences extreme cold and humid heat in summer.
Population: 74,138
Minimum average temperature: 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit
Lowest recorded temperature: Minus 44 degrees Fahrenheit
9. Marquette, Michigan
Marquette, the county seat and largest city in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, is a major port known for shipping iron ore. Despite extreme low temperatures and a waterfront location, it is the coldest major city in the state.
Population: 20,394
Minimum average temperature: 5.2 degrees Fahrenheit
Lowest recorded temperature: Minus 34 degrees Fahrenheit
10. Huron, South Dakota
Huron, the county seat of Beadle County, South Dakota, is the 8th most populous city in the state. It experiences warm summers and cold winters, with average snowfall of 37 inches.
Population: 14,000
Minimum average temperature: 6.6 degrees Fahrenheit
Lowest recorded temperature: Minus 43 degrees Fahrenheit
11. Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester, Minnesota, is home to the Mayo Clinic and the Plummer Building. Despite its cold climate, Rochester’s stunning landscapes and vibrant art scene make it an ideal destination for visitors.
Population: 121,465
Minimum average temperature: 8 degrees Fahrenheit
Lowest recorded temperature: Minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit
12. Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, is situated on the Pacific Ocean’s edge, providing warmth but facing extreme cold. Despite harsh winters and heavy snow, it enjoys four seasons and warmer summers, including the northern lights.
Population: 290,000
Minimum average temperature: 13 degrees Fahrenheit
Lowest recorded temperature: Minus 34 degrees Fahrenheit
13. Concord, New Hampshire
Concord, New Hampshire’s capital, is known for its State House, Capitol Center for the Arts, McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, and Audubon Center. Despite being one of the coldest cities in the country, it offers beautiful fall weather.
Population: 44,006
Minimum average temperature: 15 degrees Fahrenheit
Lowest recorded temperature: Minus 37 degrees Fahrenheit
Coldest Place in the US
Fairbanks, Alaska, is the coldest place in America, with a minimum average temperature of minus 17 degrees Fahrenheit. As the northernmost major city in Alaska, it has experienced record cold temperatures reaching minus 66 degrees in the past. The city’s extreme cold weather jackets are essential for survival.
Top Winter Home Insurance Claims
Winter home insurance claims are common and often result from extreme weather conditions. Some of the most common types include frozen pipes, snow and ice damage, house fires, personal injury, and wind and hail damage.
- Most home insurance policies cover standard types of damages, including falling snow, freezing rain or wind-driven snow, accumulated snow on the house, roof, or other insured structures, fallen tree limbs, ice damage, and frozen or burst pipes.
- House fires are common during winter, with Thanksgiving being the leading holiday for cooking fires and Christmas Day being the optimal day for candle fires. Home heating and lighting are also common culprits, so homeowners should exercise caution around open flames.
- Personal injury liability arises from ice on property, and insurance policies typically cover medical expenses and liability expenses from lawsuits.
Standard home insurance policies do not cover flood damage, cosmetic damages from wind and hail, or damage due to homeowner negligence. To get flood insurance, check FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program. Damage to the home’s functionality or structure is covered. Claims may be denied if the homeowner wasn’t living or didn’t exercise reasonable care.
Also Check:
FAQs on Coldest Cities in the US
1. How to prepare your house for cold weather?
To prepare for cold weather in the coldest US cities, ensure proper insulation, weatherstripping doors and windows, servicing your heating system, cleaning chimneys and fireplaces, installing a programmable thermostat, stocking up winter supplies, sealing pipes, protecting against ice dams, checking carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, preparing for power outages, pruning tree branches, and keeping emergency contacts handy.
2. What types of damages are typically covered by standard home insurance policies during winter?
Standard home insurance policies typically cover damages such as falling snow, freezing rain or wind-driven snow, accumulated snow on the house, roof, or other insured structures, fallen tree limbs, ice damage, and frozen or burst pipes.
3. What types of damages are not covered by standard home insurance policies during winter?
Standard home insurance policies do not cover flood damage, cosmetic damages from wind and hail, or damage due to homeowner negligence. To get flood insurance, homeowners should check FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program.
4. What is the Coldest Temperature Ever Recorded in the US?
The coldest temperature in the United States was minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit in 1971, recorded in Prospect Creek, Alaska.
5. What are the Coldest Cities in the United States?
Explore the coldest US cities (pop. over 25,000) based on average annual temperatures from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
- Fairbanks, Alaska
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Duluth, Minnesota
- Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Williston, North Dakota
- Juneau, Alaska
- Fargo, North Dakota
- Bismarck, North Dakota
- St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Aberdeen, South Dakota
- Kalispell, Montana
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