Summary
- Alaska is the coldest state in the USA with an average temperature of 28.1°F.
- The average temperature in the United States is 52.7° annually, with an average winter temperature of 33.2 °F.
- North Dakota is the coldest state in the lower with 48 with an average temperature of 41.1°.
- January is the coldest month of the year.
- Florida is the hottest state in the USA with an average temperature of 71.5° Fahrenheit.
The United States has an average temperature of 54.4°F. In the winter that average drops to a chiller 33.2 °F. These temps are far from the brittle cold of Antarctica.
However, depending on where in the US you live, your winter temperatures- and temperatures year round for that matter, may range from pleasantly mild to bitterly cold.
Using data from the National Center for Environmental Information (NOAA), we found the coldest states in the US. Keep reading to see where your state ranks, from coldest to hottest.
Coldest States In The US
Unsurprisingly, Alaska is the coldest state with a biter cold average temperature of 28.1°. From the lower 48, North Dakota is coldest with an average temperature of 41.1°. In general, the plains states and Northeastern states run far colder than the rest of the country.
Hottest States In The US
Florida is the “>hottest state with an average temperature 71.5°, followed by Hawaii. 4 of the 10 hottest states are in the Southeast. Of course, this is only surprising to anyone who has spent a July down South.
Methodology
We found each state’s annual average temperature, using data from the National Center for Environmental Information (NOAA).
To determine each state’s average temperature, all 12 months were averaged together. All 50 states were then averaged together, those with the lowest annual average temperature being the coldest. This means that some states may experience a greater spread of temperatures throughout the year.
For example, North Dakota experiences brisk, cold winters with an average January temperature of 6 degrees Farenheit. However, in summer temperatures 90° occur and are not uncommon. Yet temperatures for all days were averaged together evenly leading to an average temperature of 41.1°.
Continue reading to see how all states stack up- and answers to some common questions about the chillest states.
The Coldest States, Ranked From Coolest To Hottest
| Rank | State | Average Temperature °F | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 28.1 | |
| 2 | North Dakota | 41.1 | |
| 3 | Minnesota | 41.8 | |
| 4 | Maine | 41.9 | |
| 5 | Wyoming | 42.3 | |
| 6 | Montana | 42.6 | |
| 7 | Vermont | 43.2 | |
| 8 | Idaho | 44 | |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 44 | |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 44.2 | |
| 11 | Michigan | 45.3 | |
| 12 | South Dakota | 45.8 | |
| 13 | New York | 46.1 | |
| 14 | Colorado | 46.3 | |
| 15 | Washington | 47.4 | |
| 16 | Oregon | 48 | |
| 17 | Iowa | 48.4 | |
| 18 | Massachusetts | 48.9 | |
| 19 | Utah | 49.3 | |
| 20 | Nebraska | 49.5 | |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | 49.6 | |
| 22 | Connecticut | 50 | |
| 23 | Rhode Island | 50.8 | |
| 24 | Nevada | 51.1 | |
| 25 | Ohio | 51.8 | |
| 26 | Indiana | 52.5 | |
| 27 | Illinois | 52.7 | |
| 27 | West Virginia | 52.7 | |
| 29 | New Jersey | 53.6 | |
| 30 | New Mexico | 54.5 | |
| 31 | Kansas | 55.1 | |
| 32 | Missouri | 55.3 | |
| 33 | Maryland | 55.5 | |
| 34 | Virginia | 56.1 | |
| 35 | Delaware | 56.3 | |
| 36 | Kentucky | 56.4 | |
| 37 | Tennessee | 58.5 | |
| 38 | California | 59.1 | |
| 39 | North Carolina | 59.6 | |
| 40 | Oklahoma | 60.4 | |
| 41 | Arizona | 61.1 | |
| 41 | Arkansas | 61.1 | |
| 43 | South Carolina | 63.4 | |
| 44 | Alabama | 63.7 | |
| 45 | Georgia | 64.3 | |
| 45 | Mississippi | 64.3 | |
| 47 | Texas | 65.8 | |
| 48 | Louisiana | 67.2 | |
| 49 | Hawaii | 70.2 | |
| 50 | Florida | 71.5 | |
Coldest States FAQ
Which state is coldest in USA?
Alaska is the coldest state in the USA with an average temperature of 28.1°F.
What are the 5 coldest states in the US?
The 5 coldest states are Alaska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Maine, and Wyoming. All 5 states have the lowest annual average temperature.
Which state is hottest in USA?
Florida is the hottest state in the USA with an average temperature of 71.5° F.
What state stays cool all year?
Alaska stays cool year round, with both the coldest winters and summers in the US.
What states have no winter?
Hawaii is a temperate state with an average daily winter temperature of 78°. Florida and Arizona are also temperate states with mild winters that can often seem nonexistent compared to the rest of the country.
What are the states with the worst winters?
While Alaska is the coldest state, Anchorage where most of the population lives is often warmer than many of the plains states. North Dakota, Minnesota, and Michigan all experience exceptionally harsh winters. North Dakota sees temperatures in the -20s and -30s every winter, with the lowest temp recorded in the -60s.