Winters can be brutal in parts of the United States, with frigid temperatures, heavy snow, icy roads, and short days. However, not all states experience harsh wintry conditions. Some parts of the country have relatively mild winters with more moderate temperatures and less snow and ice.
What defines a harsh winter?
There are a few key factors that contribute to a harsh winter weather:
- Frigid temperatures – Cold air masses from the arctic regions can push temperatures far below freezing for extended periods of time. Places with average winter lows below 20°F could be considered to have cold winters.
- Heavy snowfall – Frequent winter storms dumping many inches of snow can make wintertime difficult. Areas that receive over 30 inches of snow in an average season tend to have significant winter weather.
- Icy conditions – Sleet, freezing rain, black ice, and frozen over lakes and rivers make traveling treacherous. Harsh winter places often deal with these hazards regularly in the colder months.
- Short days – Less daylight during the winter can make frigid temperatures feel even harsher. Northern areas far from the equator have much shorter days in the winter than the summer.
- Long winters – A longer cold season increases the harshness of winter. Places with a 5-6 month long winter tend to be harsher than those with only 2-3 very cold months.
Of course, winter weather severity depends heavily on perspective. People accustomed to mild winters would find places with any snow or freezing temperatures to be unbearably harsh. But those living in traditionally colder northern climates have a higher threshold for winter severity. Still, there are measurable factors like snowfall, minimum temperatures, and season length that allow comparing the harshness of winters across different states.
What states have the mildest winters?
The states with the mildest winters are generally located in the southern half of the country, especially near the coasts. Winters are shorter and temperatures stay warmer across the southern United States thanks to the moderating influence of the oceans. Here are some of the states with the mildest winter climates:
| State | Average Winter Low | Average Winter High | Average Snowfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 50°F | 71°F | 0 inches |
| Hawaii | 66°F | 83°F | 0 inches |
| South Carolina | 34°F | 57°F | 3 inches |
| Georgia | 37°F | 57°F | 2 inches |
| Alabama | 37°F | 57°F | 1 inch |
| Mississippi | 41°F | 61°F | 2 inches |
| Louisiana | 45°F | 63°F | 1 inch |
| Texas | 42°F | 63°F | 1 inch |
| Arizona | 37°F | 65°F | 1 inch |
| California | 45°F | 64°F | 1 inch |
As you can see, southern states like Florida, Hawaii, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama have very mild winters with average lows above freezing and little to no snow. Other warm weather states like Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Arizona also experience fairly short, moderate winters. The Pacific Coast states like California enjoy cool but not very cold winters as well thanks to the regulating effects of the ocean.
Florida
Florida is the warmest state for winter weather, with average December to February lows ranging from the mid 50s in North Florida to the mid 60s in South Florida. While occasional cold fronts can bring brief freezing weather to North Florida, sustained freezing temperatures are rare across the state. Snow is practically unheard of in Florida.
Hawaii
The tropical island climate of Hawaii results in the mildest winters in the U.S. All of the major islands have average lows in the 60s year round. Temperatures may drop into the 50s at night and during heavy rain, but extended cold snaps are nonexistent. Snowfall is an impossibility in Hawaii as well.
South Carolina
South Carolina winters are cool but generally mild, with average lows in the mid 30s. While South Carolina can get the occasional snowstorm and freeze, extended extreme cold and frequent heavy snow are uncommon. Winters in coastal areas are warmer than in the northern inland part of the state.
Georgia
Like its neighbor South Carolina, Georgia enjoys fairly mild winters especially near the coast. Inland and northern areas have average lows in the 30s while coastal cities like Savannah stay warmer in the 40s. Occasional Arctic blasts can bring the mercury below freezing but snow does not fall often or accumulate much in Georgia.
What are the harshest winters in the U.S.?
On the flip side, the states located farthest north and inland tend to endure the harshest, coldest winters in the contiguous United States based on average snowfall, frigid temperatures, and winter season length. The Upper Midwest, interior Northeast, and northern Plains are the winter weather danger zones.
| State | Average Winter Low | Average Winter High | Average Snowfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | -2°F | 18°F | 35 inches |
| Minnesota | 2°F | 24°F | 43 inches |
| Maine | 9°F | 31°F | 59 inches |
| Michigan | 18°F | 31°F | 38 inches |
| Alaska | -11°F | 15°F | 75 inches |
These northern tier states have average winter temperatures that routinely stay below freezing even during the daytime. Places like North Dakota and Minnesota often deal with subzero lows. Long winters extending from November through March also increase the harshness. Copious lake effect snow pummels states like Michigan and New York as well. The states along the northern border endure 3-4 months of consistent deep cold and snowy conditions, making their winters among the harshest in the country.
North Dakota
North Dakota has the coldest winters in the contiguous U.S. thanks to its far northern latitude and distance from moderating influences like oceans. Average lows during December, January and February range from -5°F in the south to -10°F in the northern part of the state. Even daytime highs struggle to reach 20°F at times. Snowfall totals can exceed 40 inches per year in many areas.
Minnesota
Minnesota rivals its neighbor North Dakota for harsh winter conditions. Arctic air pouring south out of Canada can send wind chills plummeting below -60°F at times. In terms of snowfall, the state is known for massive single storm totals over 2 feet and seasonal totals over 70 inches in the snowbelt regions like Duluth.
Maine
As the northernmost state in the continental U.S. east of the Great Lakes, Maine endures bitterly cold and snowy winters. Coastal areas are tempered by the nearby Atlantic, but even cities like Portland average highs in the 20s and lows near 10°F for December through February. Northern Maine sees even colder temperatures down to -20°F or lower.
Alaska
While not part of the continental states, Alaska deserves a mention for having the coldest winters in the U.S. Much of the state has seasonal average lows below 0°F and heavy snowfall over 5 feet. The single coldest temperature ever measured in the U.S., -80°F, occurred in Prospect Creek, Alaska in the winter of 1971. Only a very small coastal portion of Alaska has marginally milder winters.
Conclusion
In summary, the southern tier of states stretching across the Gulf and southern Atlantic coasts experience the mildest winters in the U.S. based on their moderate temperatures, minimal freezing weather, and little to no snow. Northern states across the Midwest, New England, and Plains endure the harshest winter conditions with subzero temperatures, abundant snow and ice, and long cold seasons. However, keep in mind even the worst winters only last a few months. The rest of the year is mild enough for cold-hating people to enjoy in these northern states as well.