Cities Where Winter is Getting Much Warmer

By Sam Stebbins  •  December 15, 2025
a snow covered field with a mountain in the background
Photo by Lukas Seitz on Unsplash

As the pace of climate change accelerates, warming trends around the world are becoming increasingly evident. According to the World Meteorological Organization, 2024 now stands as the hottest year on record globally – and that each of the 10 hottest years ever recorded were within the last decade. Similar patterns have also taken shape in the United States. Across the Lower 48, the average annual temperature in the 20th century was 52.0°F – and every year since 1996, average annual temperatures in the continental U.S. have exceeded that threshold. Additionally, data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that the average temperature surpassed the historical norm by at least 1.5°F in eight of the last 10 years. 

According to Climate Central, an independent, non-profit research organization, winter is the fastest warming season in most of the United States. A recent Climate Central report that analyzed historical temperatures in 244 U.S. cities found that 98% of those places have warmer winters now than they did in 1970, by an average 3.9°F. Additionally, 88% of the cities in the study now have at least one additional week of temperatures above historical norms each winter compared to the early 1970s. 

While more moderate winters may be a welcome change for many Americans, a warmer winter season can have negative knock-on effects. These include, but are not limited to, reduced snowfall and water supply during the spring thaw, limited access to winter sports, and declining summer-time fruit crop yields, according to Climate Central. In certain parts of the country, changes in winter temperatures over recent decades have been especially pronounced. 

Using data from Climate Central, Climate Crisis 247 identified the cities where winter temperatures are climbing fastest. We ranked all 244 U.S. cities with available data on the change in average winter temperatures from 1970 to 2025. Only the 11 cities where winter temperatures have increased by at least 6.5°F appear on this list. Supplemental data on the change in the annual number of winter days with temperatures exceeding baseline norms is also from Climate Central. Baseline normal winter temperatures, or the average temperature in December, January, and February between 1991 and 2020, are from NOAA. Population data are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey. 

Among the 11 cities on this list, average winter temperatures have increased by anywhere from 6.5°F to 8.1°F since 1970. These places are concentrated in the Northeast and upper Midwest, but some are as far south as Georgia and Tennessee.

11. Presque Isle, Maine

  • Change in average winter temperature, 1970-2025: +6.5°F
  • 30-year average winter temperature: 16.3°F (1991-2020)
  • Change in annual number of winter days with temperatures above 30-year norm: 19 more days in 2025 than in 1970
  • Local population: 8,736

10. Traverse City, Michigan

  • Change in average winter temperature, 1970-2025: +6.5°F
  • 30-year average winter temperature: 25.3°F (1991-2020)
  • Change in annual number of winter days with temperatures above 30-year norm: 22 more days in 2025 than in 1970
  • Local population: 15,491

9. Chattanooga, Tennessee

  • Change in average winter temperature, 1970-2025: +6.5°F
  • 30-year average winter temperature: 44.4°F (1991-2020)
  • Change in annual number of winter days with temperatures above 30-year norm: 23 more days in 2025 than in 1970
  • Local population: 182,832

8. Albany, Georgia

  • Change in average winter temperature, 1970-2025: +6.5°F
  • 30-year average winter temperature: 50.6°F (1991-2020)
  • Change in annual number of winter days with temperatures above 30-year norm: 19 more days in 2025 than in 1970
  • Local population: 67,939

7. Albany, New York

  • Change in average winter temperature, 1970-2025: +6.6°F
  • 30-year average winter temperature: 27.0°F (1991-2020)
  • Change in annual number of winter days with temperatures above 30-year norm: 21 more days in 2025 than in 1970
  • Local population: 100,081

6. Concord, New Hampshire

  • Change in average winter temperature, 1970-2025: +6.7°F
  • 30-year average winter temperature: 25.1°F (1991-2020)
  • Change in annual number of winter days with temperatures above 30-year norm: 24 more days in 2025 than in 1970
  • Local population: 44,219
green grass field with trees during daytime
Photo by Cathy Holewinski on Unsplash

5. Toledo, Ohio

  • Change in average winter temperature, 1970-2025: +6.7°F
  • 30-year average winter temperature: 30.2°F (1991-2020)
  • Change in annual number of winter days with temperatures above 30-year norm: 21 more days in 2025 than in 1970
  • Local population: 268,461

4. Waterloo, Iowa

  • Change in average winter temperature, 1970-2025: +6.8°F
  • 30-year average winter temperature: 22.7°F (1991-2020)
  • Change in annual number of winter days with temperatures above 30-year norm: 18 more days in 2025 than in 1970
  • Local population: 66,947

3. Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Change in average winter temperature, 1970-2025: +7.0°F
  • 30-year average winter temperature: 21.8°F (1991-2020)
  • Change in annual number of winter days with temperatures above 30-year norm: 22 more days in 2025 than in 1970
  • Local population: 106,585

2. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

  • Change in average winter temperature, 1970-2025: +7.3°F
  • 30-year average winter temperature: 26.7°F (1991-2020)
  • Change in annual number of winter days with temperatures above 30-year norm: 23 more days in 2025 than in 1970
  • Local population: 569,756

1. Burlington, Vermont

  • Change in average winter temperature, 1970-2025: +8.1°F
  • 30-year average winter temperature: 24.0°F (1991-2020)
  • Change in annual number of winter days with temperatures above 30-year norm: 24 more days in 2025 than in 1970
  • Local population: 44,649


Similar Posts