As winter approaches, a look at the coldest temperatures ever recorded across the United States provides a sobering reminder of the extreme conditions that can occur.
As December progresses, temperatures in continental regions like the Midwest will inevitably dip below freezing, while subtropical and arid areas in the South and Southwest will become more bearable.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the coldest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. occurred at Prospect Creek Camp in Alaska in January 1971.
While some states like Hawaii and Florida might not be known for extreme cold, they have also experienced sub-zero temperatures.
Notably, Hawaii is the only state to have never recorded a temperature below zero. Even California, famous for Death Valley’s scorching heat, recorded temperatures well below freezing in the 20th century.
The coldest temperature recorded in California occurred in the small town of Boca, where the mercury reached -45 degrees on January 20, 1937.
The NOAA takes several factors into account when determining the coldest temperatures in each state, including surface air temperature, precipitation, snow, cloudiness, hail, wind, and pressure.