The Coldest and Hottest States in America, Ranked

Temperature varies dramatically across the United States — from subarctic Alaska to tropical Hawaii, from the frozen northern plains to the scorching desert Southwest. Here's how the states stack up on both ends of the thermometer.

The Coldest States (By Average Annual Temperature)

Alaska — 26.6°F average. The coldest state by far. Barrow (Utqiaġvik) on Alaska's north slope averages -9°F in January and has recorded temperatures of -56°F. In interior Alaska, Fairbanks regularly hits -40°F in winter. The record low for Alaska (-80°F, recorded at Prospect Creek in 1971) is the coldest temperature ever officially recorded in the US.

North Dakota — 40.4°F average. The coldest of the contiguous states. International Falls, Minnesota (on the Canadian border) is often called the "Nation's Icebox." Fargo, North Dakota's largest city, has seen winter lows below -30°F. The polar vortex of 2019 brought temperatures to -56°F wind chill in some parts of the state.

Minnesota — 41.2°F average. The Twin Cities have averaged 15 days per year below 0°F. Minnesota holds the contiguous US record for coldest temperature: -60°F at Tower, Minnesota in 1996.

Montana — 42.7°F. Montana recorded the all-time US contiguous record cold snap: in January 1916, Browning dropped 100°F in 24 hours — from 44°F to -56°F.

Wyoming — 42.0°F. High elevation contributes to extreme cold. Yellowstone National Park has recorded temperatures below -66°F.

Maine — 41.9°F. The northeastern corner of the US gets hammered by nor'easters. Caribou in northern Maine is one of the snowiest cities in the country.

Vermont — 42.9°F. Burlington averages 80+ inches of snow per year. The Green Mountains regularly experience blizzard conditions from October to April.

The Hottest States (By Average Annual Temperature)

Florida — 70.7°F average. The hottest state in the contiguous US. Key West averages 78°F annually. Summers bring heat indexes well above 100°F and humidity that makes any temperature feel significantly hotter.

Hawaii — 70°F average. Hot, but moderated by trade winds and ocean breezes. The hottest parts of Hawaii are the lower elevations of Maui and the Big Island's leeward coast, not the beach communities.

Louisiana — 66.4°F average. Brutal humid summers — New Orleans regularly sees heat index values above 110°F in July and August.

Texas — 65.8°F average. The South Texas plains and West Texas deserts see some of the most extreme heat in the country. Laredo has averaged summer highs above 99°F.

Arizona — 60.3°F average. Phoenix holds a staggering statistic: 110 days per year above 100°F on average. The record high for Phoenix is 122°F.

The All-Time Records

- Hottest temperature ever recorded in the US: 134°F, Furnace Creek in Death Valley, California, July 10, 1913. If verified, it may be the highest reliably recorded temperature in world history.
- Coldest temperature ever recorded in the US: -80°F, Prospect Creek, Alaska, January 23, 1971.
- Hottest contiguous US temperature: 130°F, Furnace Creek, California, August 16, 2020 — the second hottest reliably measured temperature in world history.
- Coldest contiguous US temperature: -70°F, Rogers Pass, Montana, January 20, 1954.

Climate Change and Temperature Trends

Average temperatures have risen across all 50 states since 1970. Alaska is warming the fastest — about 3°F above its 20th-century average — due to the amplified warming effect of Arctic sea ice loss. In the Southwest, heat waves are becoming longer and more intense. Death Valley has now seen multiple 130°F+ days that would have been historic anomalies just decades ago.

For quiz purposes: Florida is the hottest state (average), Alaska is the coldest by far, and Death Valley holds the all-time US heat record at 134°F.