The Coldest Temperature Recorded in Every State

• Although some states lowest temperatures were recorded recently, others were recorded decades ago.
• Hawaii remains the only state in the US where temperatures drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
• The coldest temperature ever recorded in the US was -80 degrees in Alaska in 1971.

Despite the record drop in temperatures in the United States over the past century, the world keeps getting hotter. In fact, only three states recorded their coldest temperatures on record in the 21st century.

IN AlaskaThe coldest temperature ever recorded was -80 degrees Fahrenheit at Prospect Creek Camp in 1971—and all but one of the 50 states reported temperatures below freezing. What’s the delay? Hawaiiwhich recorded the lowest temperature of 12 degrees Fahrenheit in Mauna Kea Observatory May 17, 1979.

According to data collected NOAA State Committee on Climate ExtremesListed below are the coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state.

Melissa Wells contributed to an earlier version of this story.