America’s Coldest Major Cities in December, but are Some Warming A Bit?

Marking the beginning of the meteorological winter, December is one of the coldest months of the year in the United States. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the average December temperature across the Lower 48 was 32.7°F during the 20th century – only 2.6°F warmer than the average temperature in January, the coldest month of the year. 

Notably, climate change has pushed winter temperatures noticeably higher in much of the country in recent years. NOAA data shows that 2023 was the warmest December on record in the continental U.S. since record keeping began in 1895. That month, the average temperature was 39.8°F. The only other years in the last 130 when the average December temperature exceeded 38°F were 2015, 2021, and 2024. 

Despite the apparent warming trend, there are still dozens of cities across the United States where freezing December temperatures are the norm. 

Using data from NOAA, Climate Crisis 247 identified America’s coldest major cities. We reviewed historical data for over 200 places in the continental U.S. and ranked them on their average temperature in the month of December between 1991 and 2020. Only cities with populations of at least 250,000, and where average December temperatures are below 32°F appear on this list. Supplemental data on the coldest December on record in these places is also from NOAA. Population data are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey. Cities are ranked based on their average historical temperature in the month of December. 

Among 10 the cities on this list – which collectively are home to more than 6.7 million people – average December temperatures range from 31.6°F down to just 22.3°F. With the sole exception of Colorado Springs, Colorado, every city on this list is located in the upper-Midwest or in upstate New York. Even though Colorado Springs is the southernmost city on this list, low December temperatures are attributable to its location in the Rocky Mountains and its elevation of more than a mile above sea level. 

Even though the places on this list stand as the coldest major U.S. cities in the month of December, these communities have not been spared from the warming effects of climate change. Many of these cities have reported historically low average December temperatures in the low-teens and single digits. Notably, however, in each of these places, record lows for the month of December were reported at least 36 years ago, and in some cases, over half a century ago. 

10. Buffalo, New York

• Average December temperature in Buffalo, 1990-2020: 31.6°F
• Coldest December on record in Buffalo: 1989 (16.6°F avg. temp.)
• Local population: 276,397

9. Colorado Springs, Colorado

• Average December temperature in Colorado Springs, 1990-2020: 31.4°F
• Coldest December on record in Colorado Springs: 1983 (18.3°F avg. temp.)
• Local population: 483,099

8. Detroit, Michigan

• Average December temperature in Detroit, 1990-2020: 31.1°F
• Coldest December on record in Detroit: 1989 (17.9°F avg. temp.)
• Local population: 636,644

7. Chicago, Illinois

• Average December temperature in Chicago, 1990-2020: 30.9°F
• Coldest December on record in Chicago: 1963 (16.0°F avg. temp.)
• Local population: 2,707,648

6. Fort Wayne, Indiana

• Average December temperature in Fort Wayne, 1990-2020: 30.9°F
• Coldest December on record in Fort Wayne: 1989 (16.6°F avg. temp.)
• Local population: 266,235

5. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

• Average December temperature in Milwaukee, 1990-2020: 29.5°F
• Coldest December on record in Milwaukee: 1963 (14.5°F avg. temp.)
• Local population: 569,756

4. Lincoln, Nebraska

• Average December temperature in Lincoln, 1990-2020: 29.1°F
• Coldest December on record in Lincoln: 1983 (8.9°F avg. temp.)
• Local population: 291,932

3. Omaha, Nebraska

• Average December temperature in Omaha, 1990-2020: 28.7°F
• Coldest December on record in Omaha: 1983 (9.8°F avg. temp.)
• Local population: 488,197

2. Madison, Wisconsin

• Average December temperature in Madison, 1990-2020: 25.4°F
• Coldest December on record in Madison: 1983 (10.5°F avg. temp.)
• Local population: 275,568

1. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota

• Average December temperature in Minneapolis-St. Paul, 1990-2020: 22.3°F
• Coldest December on record in Minneapolis-St. Paul: 1983 (4.6°F avg. temp.)
• Local population: 734,607