Summer 2026 Ended with Freezing Temperatures in These 10 States

The fall season officially began in the United States on September 22, 2026, bringing an end to the hottest summer in U.S. history.  According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the average temperature between June and August—the three months comprising the meteorological summer—was 74.4°F, 3.0°F higher than the 20th century average for the summer season, and higher than in any summer since at least 1895. 

Despite last season’s record-breaking heat, there are parts of the country where the final days of the astronomical summer brought historic cold. Local weather station data compiled by NOAA shows that daily low temperature records were broken by freezing temperatures in 10 of the 48 states of the Continental U.S. before the official start of the fall season. 

From Massachusetts to California, dozens of weather stations reported freezing temperatures that set new daily low records in the final weeks of summer 2026. In some of these places, cold weather shattered records that had stood for decades. 

Using data from NOAA, Climate Crisis 247 identified the places where freezing temperatures set new daily record lows at the end of summer 2026. We only considered temperatures recorded from September 1-19, 2026. To avoid geographic clustering, we only listed one weather station per state; specifically, the station reporting the lowest record-breaking temperature for each state. All supplemental data is also from NOAA, and historical September norms reflect 20th century averages. 

10. Elmira, New York Weather Station (Chemung County)

• New record-breaking daily low: 31°F on September 11, 2026
• Previous local daily record low for September 11: 33°F in 1967
• September temperature norms in Chemung County: 48.6°F daily low; 59.8°F daily avg.
• Reporting weather station details: Located 947 ft. above sea level, operational for 132 years

9. Eagle River, Wisconsin Weather Station (Vilas County)

• New record-breaking daily low: 31°F on September 14, 2026
• Previous local daily record low for September 14: 32°F in 2023
• September temperature norms in Vilas County: 42.8°F daily low; 54.0°F daily avg.
• Reporting weather station details: Located 1,623 ft. above sea level, operational for 86 years

8. Tamarac Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota Weather Station (Becker County)

• New record-breaking daily low: 30°F on September 9, 2026
• Previous local daily record low for September 9: 39°F in 1986
• September temperature norms in Becker County: 44.5°F daily low; 55.9°F daily avg.
• Reporting weather station details: Located 1,508 ft. above sea level, operational for 48 years

7. Haverhill, Massachusetts Weather Station (Essex County)

• New record-breaking daily low: 30°F on September 15, 2026
• Previous local daily record low for September 15: 34°F in 1986
• September temperature norms in Essex County: 50.9°F daily low; 61.0°F daily avg.
• Reporting weather station details: Located 20 ft. above sea level, operational for 126 years

6. Juniper Creek, California Weather Station (Modoc County)

• New record-breaking daily low: 30°F on September 7, 2026
• Previous local daily record low for September 7: 34°F in 2002
• September temperature norms in Modoc County: 40.1°F daily low; 56.9°F daily avg.
• Reporting weather station details: Located 4,372 ft. above sea level, operational for 38 years

5. Mount Howard, Oregon Weather Station (Wallowa County)

• New record-breaking daily low: 27°F on September 4, 2026
• Previous local daily record low for September 4: 29°F in 2016
• September temperature norms in Wallowa County: 40.5°F daily low; 54.2°F daily avg.
• Reporting weather station details: Located 7,910 ft. above sea level, operational for 36 years

4. Calvert Creek, Montana Weather Station (Deer Lodge County)

• New record-breaking daily low: 24°F on September 15, 2026
• Previous local daily record low for September 15: 28°F in 1991
• September temperature norms in Deer Lodge County: 35.8°F daily low; 48.1°F daily avg.
• Reporting weather station details: Located 6,430 ft. above sea level, operational for 36 years

3. Bull Spring, Idaho Weather Station (Twin Falls County)

• New record-breaking daily low: 24°F on September 15, 2026
• Previous local daily record low for September 15: 25°F in 2004
• September temperature norms in Twin Falls County: 43.2°F daily low; 58.6°F daily avg.
• Reporting weather station details: Located 5,700 ft. above sea level, operational for 36 years

2. Gibbs Ranch Jarbidge 24 SE, Nevada Weather Station (Elko County)

• New record-breaking daily low: 22°F on September 15, 2026
• Previous local daily record low for September 15: 23°F in 1971
• September temperature norms in Elko County: 39.9°F daily low; 56.4°F daily avg.
• Reporting weather station details: Located 5,960 ft. above sea level, operational for 72 years

1. Gros Ventre Summit, Wyoming Weather Station (Teton County)

• New record-breaking daily low: 20°F on September 15, 2026
• Previous local daily record low for September 15: 22°F in 2004
• September temperature norms in Teton County: 33.6°F daily low; 46.9°F daily avg.
• Reporting weather station details: Located 8,750 ft. above sea level, operational for 40 years