50 coldest cities in America on Christmas

Anuradha Varanasi
Emma Rubin
Downtown Omaha trees lit up in white lights.
James BO Insogna // Shutterstock

- 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

#49. Omaha, Nebraska (tie)
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The snowy New Hampshire State House in winter.
Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock

- 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

#49. Concord, New Hampshire (tie)
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Aerial view of Scottsbluff in winter.
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

- 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

#47. Scottsbluff, Nebraska (tie)
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Snowy scene on Church Street decorated for Christmas.
vermontalm // Shutterstock

- 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

#47. Burlington, Vermont (tie)
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The skyline and bridge over a frozen river.
Henryk Sadura // Shutterstock

- 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

#46. Rockford, Illinois
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An elevated view of snowy downtown Billings.
jmw22679 // Shutterstock

- 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

#44. Billings, Montana (tie)
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A snowy Des Moines cityscape at sunset.
Henryk Sadura // Shutterstock

- 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

#44. Des Moines, Iowa (tie)
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A snowy tree lined road.
Teresa Otto // Shutterstock

- 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

#43. North Platte, Nebraska
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A view of the Chilton Centennial Tower in Elko.
E Fehrenbacher // Shutterstock

- 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

#42. Elko, Nevada
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An aerial view of Norfolk in autumn.
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

- 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

#41. Norfolk, Nebraska
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An elevated view of Great Falls at twilight.
Victoria Ditkovsky // Shutterstock

- 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

#40. Great Falls, Montana
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A bison walking in snowy landscape.
Tammy Bashore // Shutterstock

- 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

#39. Rapid City, South Dakota
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Route 50 in Ely with a mountain range in the background.
Sandra Foyt // Shutterstock

- 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

#37. Ely, Nevada (tie)
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A Christmas tree in downtown Bangor.
Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock

- 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

#37. Bangor, Maine (tie)
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The Downtown Pocatello business district.
Michael Gordon // Shutterstock

- 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

#36. Pocatallo, Idaho
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Birch trees and a snowy landscape in Missoula.
Justine Emm // Shutterstock

- 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

#35. Missoula, Montana
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The Capitol building decorated with Christmas lights.
Keith Schmidt // Shutterstock

- 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

#34. Madison, Wisconsin
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Am aerial view of snowy Waterloo.
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

- 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

#33. Waterloo, Iowa
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A holiday parade with people waving and a giant inflatable snowman being pulled by a pickup truck in Green Bay.
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- 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

#31. Green Bay, Wisconsin (tie)
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A frozen snowy bridge over a narrow river.
Ann Hull // Shutterstock

- 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

#31. Montpelier, Vermont (tie)
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A lit up snowman decoration illuminated at night.
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- 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

#30. La Crosse, Wisconsin
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A river with ice and snow at sunset.
Doug Tunison // Shutterstock

- 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

#29. Casper, Wyoming
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Frozen mist rises from lock and dam on Mississippi River in Dubuque.
Gerald Marella // Shutterstock

- 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

#28. Dubuque, Iowa
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Kendrick Mansion in December snow decorated for Christmas.
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- 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

#27. Sheridan, Wyoming
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Snow falling on the Cathedral of Saint Helena.
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- 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

#26. Helena, Montana
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A winter sunset view from Whitefish.
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- 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

#25. Kalispell, Montana
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A snowy evergreen with Christmas lights.
Ricardo Reitmeyer // Shutterstock

- 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

#23. Sioux City, Iowa (tie)
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The International Bridge in winter with snow.
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- 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

#23. Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (tie)
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Rocky Mountain Elk walking on snow.
Tom Reichner // Shutterstock

- 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

#22. Pierre, South Dakota
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An aerial view of holiday lights in Sioux Falls.
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

- 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

#21. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
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Buildings and a frozen lake.
Michael Tatman // Shutterstock

- 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

#20. Wausau, Wisconsin
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A frozen, snowy Mississippi River and magenta colored Lowry Bridge with Minneapolis skyline.
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- 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

#19. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
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A sunset over a frozen lake.
Jeff Futter // Shutterstock

- 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

#18. Lander, Wyoming
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A snowy nature path over a frozen lake.
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- 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

#17. Rochester, Minnesota
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A close up of frost on a tree branch.
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- 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

#16. Dickinson, North Dakota
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Snow falling on a tree with a decorated door in the background.
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- 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

#15. Caribou, Maine
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A winter scene with evergreens and a full moon.
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- 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

#14. Anchorage, Alaska
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A snowy winter landscape.
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- 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

#13. Glasgow, Montana
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Snow falling on the state capitol.
Phillip Schultz // Shutterstock

- 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

#11. Bismarck, North Dakota (tie)
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An aerial view of Aberdeen in winter.
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

- 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

#11. Aberdeen, South Dakota (tie)
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A ringneck pheasant in a snowy landscape.
Tom Reichner // Shutterstock

- 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

#10. Minot, North Dakota
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The Great Sand Dunes National Park with a frozen lake.
marekuliasz // Shutterstock

- 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

#9. Alamosa, Colorado
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An aerial view of holiday lights in Duluth.
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

- 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

#8. Duluth, Minnesota
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A snowy intersection in downtown Fargo.
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- 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

#7. Fargo, North Dakota
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Close up of winter lights decorating a house.
Ryzhkov Oleksandr // Shutterstock

- 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

#6. Grand Forks, North Dakota
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Mount Washington hotel in winter with snowy mountains in the background.
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- 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

#5. Mt. Washington, New Hampshire
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A snowy landscape view from a plane at sunrise.
Jorge Moro // Shutterstock

- 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

#4. Bethel, Alaska
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A tanker follows a coast guard boat in icy water.
Benjamin Nocerini/U.S. Coast Guard // Getty Images

- 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

#3. Nome, Alaska
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Snowy log cabins decorated with Christmas lights.
Chollada.p // Shutterstock

- 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

#2. Fairbanks, Alaska
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The northern lights in Barrow.
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- 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

#1. Utqiaġvik, Alaska
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Bench with wreath in Anchorage, Alaska.
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