Road Topic Tourism & Travel
Every year in the US, winter brings cold temperatures, snow, and icy roads. But not all cities experience the same level of winter weather. Some cities experience mild winters, while others experience extreme cold and unusually long periods of snow. Knowing which US cities have the worst winters can help you prepare for what to expect and can help you choose the best location for your winter vacation.
One of the coldest cities in the US is International Falls, Minnesota. This city experiences some of the lowest winter temperatures in the country, and the record low temperature ever recorded in International Falls is -55 degrees Fahrenheit. Snowfall can be heavy in this city, with the average snowfall amount reaching over 60 inches each year.
Fairbanks, Alaska is another city with some of the worst winter weather. This city typically experiences temperatures well below zero throughout the winter months, and the record low temperature ever recorded in Fairbanks is -66 degrees Fahrenheit. Snowfall can be heavy in this city, with an average of 74 inches of snow each year. In fact, Fairbanks often experiences snowfall well into May.
Another US city with extreme winter weather is Syracuse, New York. This city typically experiences temperatures in the single digits or lower throughout the winter months, and the record low temperature ever recorded in Syracuse is -26 degrees Fahrenheit. Snowfall is also heavy in this city, with an average of 118 inches of snow each year.
Finally, Buffalo, New York is known for its cold winters. This city experiences temperatures in the single digits or lower throughout the winter months, and the record low temperature ever recorded in Buffalo is -19 degrees Fahrenheit. Snowfall is also heavy in this city, with an average of 94 inches of snow each year. Buffalo is also known for its lake-effect snow, which can cause even more snowfall and extreme cold temperatures.
Overall, US cities in the northern portion of the country tend to experience the worst winters. International Falls, Minnesota, Fairbanks, Alaska, Syracuse, New York, and Buffalo, New York are all cities that experience the coldest temperatures and the heaviest snowfall each year. Knowing which US cities have the worst winters can help you prepare for what to expect and can help you plan your winter vacation accordingly.
Exploring the Worst US Cities for Winter Weather
The winter months can be brutal in some US cities, making it hard for residents to come out from under the blankets. The coldest cities in the United States are located in the Midwest, New England, and the West, where snowfall and sub-zero temperatures are common during the winter months. We’ve explored the worst US cities for winter weather, including temperatures, wind chill, snowfall, and extreme cold warnings.
The Midwest is known for cold winters, and the city of International Falls, Minnesota is the coldest in the USA. International Falls has an average winter temperature of 8 degrees Fahrenheit, with the occasional cold snap dropping temperatures as low as -26 degrees Fahrenheit. The city also gets an average of 89 inches of snow each winter, with the occasional snowfall reaching as high as 17 inches in a single day.
The city of Fargo, North Dakota is also known for its bitterly cold winters. The average winter temperature in Fargo is around 13 degrees Fahrenheit, and the city is known to get as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months. Fargo also averages around 54 inches of snow per year, making it one of the snowiest cities in the United States.
The northeast is also known for its cold weather, and the city of Caribou, Maine is one of the coldest spots in the United States. Caribou has an average winter temperature of 12.5 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures dropping as low as -32 degrees Fahrenheit. The city also gets an average of 153 inches of snow each year, making it one of the snowiest cities in the United States.
The state of Montana also experiences extremely cold winters, and the city of Havre is one of the coldest spots in the United States. The average winter temperature in Havre is around 14 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures dropping as low as -36 degrees Fahrenheit. The city also gets an average of 33 inches of snow each winter, making it one of the snowiest cities in the United States.
The state of Wyoming is also known for its extreme cold temperatures, and the city of Laramie is one of the coldest spots in the United States. The average winter temperature in Laramie is around 16 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures dropping as low as -35 degrees Fahrenheit. The city also gets an average of 50 inches of snow each winter, making it one of the snowiest cities in the United States.
The coldest spot in the United States is in the far northern city of Prospect Creek, Alaska. Prospect Creek has an average winter temperature of -17 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures dropping as low as -61 degrees Fahrenheit. The city also gets an average of 41 inches of snow each year, making it one of the snowiest cities in the United States.
When looking at the worst US cities for winter weather, temperatures, wind chill, snowfall, and extreme cold warnings should all be taken into consideration. The cities listed above are the coldest and snowiest cities in the United States, and should be avoided during the winter months.
Examining the Most Severe Winter Conditions in US Cities
When you’re planning a vacation or simply looking to decide where your next home should be, one of the biggest factors to consider is the climate. While a sunny beach sounds lovely, most people don’t want to live in an unbearable heat all the time. And when it comes to the winter season, some cities are far worse than others.
If you’re looking to find out which cities in the U.S. have the most severe winter conditions, then you’ve come to the right place. Let’s take a look at the top contenders and see who wins the title of the worst winter in the United States.
The following table shows the average winter temperature in each of the top 5 coldest US cities:
| City | Average Temperature (F) |
|---|---|
| Fairbanks, Alaska | -13.3 |
| International Falls, Minnesota | -7.2 |
| Caribou, Maine | -4.8 |
| Houghton, Michigan | -4.3 |
| Kotzebue, Alaska | -2.4 |
As you can see, Fairbanks, Alaska takes the top spot for having the coldest average winter temperature in the United States. International Falls, Minnesota takes the second-place prize, with an average winter temperature of -7.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Third place is held by Caribou, Maine, with an average winter temperature of -4.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
Kotzebue, Alaska takes fourth place, with an average winter temperature of -2.4 degrees Fahrenheit. And rounding out the top 5 is Houghton, Michigan, with an average winter temperature of -4.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
When it comes to snowfall, these five cities take the cake:
- Syracuse, New York – 112.4 inches
- Buffalo, New York – 99.1 inches
- Rochester, New York – 92.3 inches
- Grand Rapids, Michigan – 87.2 inches
- Marquette, Michigan – 82.7 inches
As you can see, Syracuse, New York has the most snowfall in the United States, with an average of 112.4 inches per year. Buffalo, New York takes second place, with an average of 99.1 inches per year. Rochester, New York takes third place, with an average of 92.3 inches per year.
Grand Rapids, Michigan takes fourth place, with an average of 87.2 inches per year. And Marquette, Michigan takes fifth place, with an average of 82.7 inches per year.
When it comes to the most severe winter conditions in the United States, Fairbanks, Alaska takes the top prize, with an average winter temperature of -13.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Syracuse, New York takes the prize for the most snowfall, with an average of 112.4 inches per year.
No matter which city you choose for your next vacation or home, make sure to research the climate before you go!
