50 coldest cities in America on Christmas
Eric Francis // Shutterstock
50 coldest cities in America on Christmas
Close up of colorful Christmas lights on and around a house in snow.
The traditional portrait of a picture-perfect Christmas Day includes neighborhoods covered in soft snow, smoke wafting from homes’ chimneys, and families gathering together to celebrate one of the most highly anticipated holidays of the year. While many hope for a white Christmas, keeping track of weather patterns during December can be tricky in a large country like the United States, with significant weather variations among regions and coastlines.
Stacker consulted data from 214 available U.S. cities in the National Centers for Environmental Information Climate at a Glance database to uncover which cities have endured some of the chilliest Christmases. The data is aggregated monthly. Stacker identified the 50 coldest cities by long-term average temperature from 1991-2020 in December. Additional temperature data in 2022 is also included.
The data shows that while parts of states like Illinois and Nebraska certainly get cold, their December weather might seem like a walk in the park compared to other areas. Regardless, residents are wise to be prepared for severe cold if their hometown or holiday vacation destination appears in this article. Keep several layers of warm clothes handy, including a pair of thick gloves or mittens—and plenty of hot cocoa.
Read on to see which cities in the U.S. have historically endured the coldest Decembers.
James BO Insogna // Shutterstock
#49. Omaha, Nebraska (tie)
Downtown Omaha trees lit up in white lights.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 28.4 F
– December 2022 temperature: 24.4 F (4 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 34 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 14.8 F
Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
#49. Concord, New Hampshire (tie)
The snowy New Hampshire State House in winter.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 28.4 F
– December 2022 temperature: 30.6 F (2.3 F above long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 39.8 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 21.4 F
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
#47. Scottsbluff, Nebraska (tie)
Aerial view of Scottsbluff in winter.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 28.1 F
– December 2022 temperature: 23.2 F (4.9 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 35.4 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 11 F
vermontalm // Shutterstock
#47. Burlington, Vermont (tie)
Snowy scene on Church Street decorated for Christmas.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 28.1 F
– December 2022 temperature: 31.7 F (3.6 F above long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 37.8 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 25.5 F
Henryk Sadura // Shutterstock
#46. Rockford, Illinois
The skyline and bridge over a frozen river.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 27.8 F
– December 2022 temperature: 26.3 F (1.5 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 34.5 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 18.9 F
jmw22679 // Shutterstock
#44. Billings, Montana (tie)
An elevated view of snowy downtown Billings.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 27.7 F
– December 2022 temperature: 19.5 F (8.2 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 28.2 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 10.9 F
Henryk Sadura // Shutterstock
#44. Des Moines, Iowa (tie)
A snowy Des Moines cityscape at sunset.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 27.7 F
– December 2022 temperature: 24.5 F (3.2 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 32.8 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 16.2 F
Teresa Otto // Shutterstock
#43. North Platte, Nebraska
A snowy tree lined road.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 27.4 F
– December 2022 temperature: 24.8 F (2.6 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 38 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 11.6 F
E Fehrenbacher // Shutterstock
#42. Elko, Nevada
A view of the Chilton Centennial Tower in Elko.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 27 F
– December 2022 temperature: 26 F (0.9 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 34.5 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 16.6 F
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
#41. Norfolk, Nebraska
An aerial view of Norfolk in autumn.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 26.5 F
– December 2022 temperature: 22.3 F (4.2 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 31.3 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 13.2 F
Victoria Ditkovsky // Shutterstock
#40. Great Falls, Montana
An elevated view of Great Falls at twilight.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 25.9 F
– December 2022 temperature: 17.3 F (8.6 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 25.8 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 8.8 F
Tammy Bashore // Shutterstock
#39. Rapid City, South Dakota
A bison walking in snowy landscape.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 25.8 F
– December 2022 temperature: 20.1 F (5.7 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 31.8 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 8.3 F
Sandra Foyt // Shutterstock
#37. Ely, Nevada (tie)
Route 50 in Ely with a mountain range in the background.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 25.6 F
– December 2022 temperature: 25.6 F (0.1 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 37.4 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 11.6 F
Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock
#37. Bangor, Maine (tie)
A Christmas tree in downtown Bangor.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 25.6 F
– December 2022 temperature: 31 F (5.4 F above long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 38.6 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 23.4 F
Michael Gordon // Shutterstock
#36. Pocatallo, Idaho
The Downtown Pocatello business district.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 25.5 F
– December 2022 temperature: 23.9 F (1.6 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 32 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 15.8 F
Justine Emm // Shutterstock
#35. Missoula, Montana
Birch trees and a snowy landscape in Missoula.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 25.4 F
– December 2022 temperature: 22.6 F (2.8 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 30.1 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 15.2 F
Keith Schmidt // Shutterstock
#34. Madison, Wisconsin
The Capitol building decorated with Christmas lights.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 25.3 F
– December 2022 temperature: 23.5 F (1.8 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 31.4 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 17 F
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
#33. Waterloo, Iowa
Am aerial view of snowy Waterloo.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 25.2 F
– December 2022 temperature: 22.1 F (3.1 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 30.6 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 13.6 F
Ezekiel1986 // Shutterstock
#31. Green Bay, Wisconsin (tie)
A holiday parade with people waving and a giant inflatable snowman being pulled by a pickup truck in Green Bay.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 25.1 F
– December 2022 temperature: 24.6 F (0.5 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 31 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 18.1 F
Ann Hull // Shutterstock
#31. Montpelier, Vermont (tie)
A frozen snowy bridge over a narrow river.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 25.1 F
– December 2022 temperature: 30.2 F (5.1 F above long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 37.4 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 23.1 F
Maarten Daams // Shutterstock
#30. La Crosse, Wisconsin
A lit up snowman decoration illuminated at night.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 24.9 F
– December 2022 temperature: 21.6 F (3.3 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 28.9 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 14.3 F
Doug Tunison // Shutterstock
#29. Casper, Wyoming
A river with ice and snow at sunset.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 24.7 F
– December 2022 temperature: 23.6 F (1.1 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 34.8 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 12.5 F
Gerald Marella // Shutterstock
#28. Dubuque, Iowa
Frozen mist rises from lock and dam on Mississippi River in Dubuque.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 24.6 F
– December 2022 temperature: 23.2 F (1.4 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 30.9 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 15.5 F
Ems Images // Shutterstock
#27. Sheridan, Wyoming
Kendrick Mansion in December snow decorated for Christmas.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 24.5 F
– December 2022 temperature: 18.4 F (6.2 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 28.3 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 7.6 F
6015714281 // Shutterstock
#26. Helena, Montana
Snow falling on the Cathedral of Saint Helena.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 24.3 F
– December 2022 temperature: 18.4 F (5.9 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 27.8 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 9 F
davidmarxphoto // Shutterstock
#25. Kalispell, Montana
A winter sunset view from Whitefish.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 24.1 F
– December 2022 temperature: 17.5 F (6.7 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 24.4 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 10.5 F
Ricardo Reitmeyer // Shutterstock
#23. Sioux City, Iowa (tie)
A snowy evergreen with Christmas lights.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 24 F
– December 2022 temperature: 19.5 F (4.5 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 28.1 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 12.1 F
Canva
#23. Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (tie)
The International Bridge in winter with snow.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 24 F
– December 2022 temperature: 26.4 F (2.4 F above long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 31.6 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 21.2 F
Tom Reichner // Shutterstock
#22. Pierre, South Dakota
Rocky Mountain Elk walking on snow.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 22.8 F
– December 2022 temperature: 16.2 F (6.6 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 25.4 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 6.9 F
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
#21. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
An aerial view of holiday lights in Sioux Falls.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 22.6 F
– December 2022 temperature: 17.3 F (5.3 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 25.2 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 9.3 F
Michael Tatman // Shutterstock
#20. Wausau, Wisconsin
Buildings and a frozen lake.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 22.3 F
– December 2022 temperature: 20.6 F (1.7 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 27.2 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 14 F
Greg Lundgren // Shutterstock
#19. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
A frozen, snowy Mississippi River and magenta colored Lowry Bridge with Minneapolis skyline.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 22 F
– December 2022 temperature: 18.1 F (3.9 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 24.4 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 11.8 F
Jeff Futter // Shutterstock
#18. Lander, Wyoming
A sunset over a frozen lake.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 21.6 F
– December 2022 temperature: 20 F (1.6 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 31 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 6.7 F
Ventu Photo // Shutterstock
#17. Rochester, Minnesota
A snowy nature path over a frozen lake.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 21 F
– December 2022 temperature: 17.3 F (3.7 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 24.2 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 10.4 F
travelinlenz701 // Shutterstock
#16. Dickinson, North Dakota
A close up of frost on a tree branch.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 20.4 F
– December 2022 temperature: 9.7 F (10.7 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 18.4 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 1 F
Ann Stryzhekin // Shutterstock
#15. Caribou, Maine
Snow falling on a tree with a decorated door in the background.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 19.9 F
– December 2022 temperature: 26.4 F (6.5 F above long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 33 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 19.8 F
BILD LLC // Shutterstock
#14. Anchorage, Alaska
A winter scene with evergreens and a full moon.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 19.5 F
– December 2022 temperature: 14.8 F (4.7 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 21 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 8.5 F
jo Crebbin // Shutterstock
#13. Glasgow, Montana
A snowy winter landscape.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 19.1 F
– December 2022 temperature: 7.6 F (11.5 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 16.1 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: -1 F
Phillip Schultz // Shutterstock
#11. Bismarck, North Dakota (tie)
Snow falling on the state capitol.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 18.8 F
– December 2022 temperature: 8.7 F (10.2 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 16.9 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 0 F
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
#11. Aberdeen, South Dakota (tie)
An aerial view of Aberdeen in winter.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 18.8 F
– December 2022 temperature: 11.3 F (7.4 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 20.5 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 2.1 F
Tom Reichner // Shutterstock
#10. Minot, North Dakota
A ringneck pheasant in a snowy landscape.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 18.4 F
– December 2022 temperature: 8.1 F (10.3 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 16.3 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: -0.1 F
marekuliasz // Shutterstock
#9. Alamosa, Colorado
The Great Sand Dunes National Park with a frozen lake.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 18.3 F
– December 2022 temperature: 23.6 F (5.3 F above long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 42.3 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 4.8 F
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
#8. Duluth, Minnesota
An aerial view of holiday lights in Duluth.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 16.7 F
– December 2022 temperature: 14.1 F (2.6 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 21 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 7.3 F
FiledIMAGE // Shutterstock
#7. Fargo, North Dakota
A snowy intersection in downtown Fargo.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 15.9 F
– December 2022 temperature: 10.5 F (5.5 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 18.8 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 3.1 F
Ryzhkov Oleksandr // Shutterstock
#6. Grand Forks, North Dakota
Close up of winter lights decorating a house.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 12.4 F
– December 2022 temperature: 8.7 F (3.8 F below long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 16.1 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 1.2 F
Canva
#5. Mt. Washington, New Hampshire
Mount Washington hotel in winter with snowy mountains in the background.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 11.8 F
– December 2022 temperature: 14.8 F (3 F above long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 20.4 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 9.2 F
Jorge Moro // Shutterstock
#4. Bethel, Alaska
A snowy landscape view from a plane at sunrise.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 10 F
– December 2022 temperature: 12.1 F (2.1 F above long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 17.3 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 6.9 F
Benjamin Nocerini/U.S. Coast Guard // Getty Images
#3. Nome, Alaska
A tanker follows a coast guard boat in icy water.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: 9.1 F
– December 2022 temperature: 14.5 F (5.5 F above long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 22.1 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: 7 F
Chollada.p // Shutterstock
#2. Fairbanks, Alaska
Snowy log cabins decorated with Christmas lights.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: -4.4 F
– December 2022 temperature: -4.3 F (0.1 F above long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 4.1 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: -12.7 F
Gabriel Johnson // Shutterstock
#1. Utqiaġvik, Alaska
The northern lights in Barrow.
– Long-term average temperature, 1991-2020: -6.3 F
– December 2022 temperature: 4.9 F (11.2 F above long-term average)
– Long-term average daily maximum: 12 F
– Long-term average daily minimum: -2.2 F
