Below Zero as a Way of Life: Ranking the 5 Coldest Cities in the US

If you've ever stepped outside and felt your eyelashes freeze instantly, you've experienced the raw power of the cold. In some American cities, winter isn't just a season; it's a defining personality trait that dictates every part of daily life.

Analyzing the 5 Coldest Cities in the US by Temperature

According to a 30-year analysis by The Old Farmer's Almanac, certain cities with populations over 10,000 residents have never truly experienced a full thaw. These locations stand out for their persistently low mean annual temperatures rather than just a single freak cold snap.

• 1st: Fairbanks, Alaska (Mean annual temp below 28°F, Record low of -66°F)
• 2nd: Duluth, Minnesota (Mean annual temp 39.6°F, 86 inches of snow)
• 3rd: Grand Forks, North Dakota (Mean annual temp 39.8°F, Record low -32°F)
• 4th: Williston, North Dakota (Mean annual temp 41.5°F, Record low -50°F)
• 5th: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (Mean annual temp 41.7°F, Record low -37°F)

Living in the Deep Freeze

Alaska tops the list with Fairbanks setting the gold standard for brutal winters. It's a place where mean annual temperatures don't even reach the freezing point of water. Moving east, Minnesota's Duluth stays icy thanks to the cooling influence of Lake Superior, where residents shrug off 86 inches of snow as a minor inconvenience.

In the Northern Plains, North Dakota proves it doesn't believe in mild weather, with both Grand Forks and Williston maintaining averages around 40°F. Finally, Michigan's Upper Peninsula rounds out the list, with Sault Ste. Marie recording a record low of -37°F according to local reports. These map dots are less like cities and more like permanent snow globes.