Surprisingly Frigid Locations in the USA, Including Kentucky, Which is Colder Than Anchorage
On Tuesday, much of the country remained indoors as the tail end of a significant winter storm moved out into the ocean after impacting areas from the central Plains to the Mid-Atlantic—a stretch of around 1,100 miles.
This storm caused some unexpected cold temperatures in surprising regions. For example, Louisville, Kentucky, saw “extremely cold” conditions with temperatures in the teens. In contrast, Anchorage, Alaska recorded a relatively warm 40 degrees on Tuesday morning, as reported by the National Weather Service.
However, there were even chillier spots than Louisville. Wind chills in Kansas City, situated in the Great Plains, were reported to be between -5 to -15 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. These temperatures were 15 to 20 degrees below the usual averages for this time of year.
While January is expected to be cold, many areas across the country are experiencing temperatures that are notably low for this season.
Here’s a glimpse of some of the coldest locations in the USA currently:
Major Cities Facing Cold Weather
- Denver, Colorado is experiencing an uncharacteristically cold day, with highs expected in the 20s, and nighttime temperatures dropping into the single digits, according to the Weather Service.
- Chicago is seeing freezing drizzle, with temperatures peaking in the mid-to-upper 20s but expected to drop slightly on Wednesday, making it the coldest day amidst an already frigid week.
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin is relatively warmer with a high around 26 degrees, which could increase to 28 on Thursday, although nighttime temperatures may plunge to 12 degrees.
- Detroit enjoyed a high of about 28 degrees on Tuesday but is forecasted to drop to 16 degrees overnight, with more snow on the way Wednesday.
- New York City can expect a high nearing the milder 32 degrees, though wind chill factors may lower it to the range of 15 to 20 degrees.
- Boston is also anticipating temperatures as high as 28 degrees on a day characterized by “blustery” conditions, with overnight lows dropping around 18 degrees.
Chilly Conditions in the Mid-Atlantic
Residents in the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic are still dealing with the aftermath of Monday’s winter storm, facing sharply cold temperatures and a landscape blanketed in ice and snow.
- Charleston, West Virginia continued to receive snow on Tuesday, with regions in the Appalachian Mountains expecting to see temperatures plummet to -20 degrees. But in Charleston, temperatures were predicted to drop only to the single digits.
- Columbus, Ohio anticipated afternoon highs of 25 degrees but then dropping to around 8 degrees overnight, with ongoing snow flurries.
- Pittsburgh was looking at a high of 25 degrees with light snowfall.
- Washington D.C., which experienced a hefty snowfall totaling between 6 to 10 inches, was projected to reach a high of 34 degrees Tuesday, with local temperatures ranging from upper 20s to low 30s, as per the Weather Service.
Temperatures Plummeting in the South and South-Central Regions
In the southern parts of the United States, temperatures have even dipped below freezing as another winter storm is expected to approach later this week.
- Louisville, Kentucky is expected to experience “extremely cold temperatures,” with morning lows in the teens and daytime highs barely reaching the 20s. There’s a possibility of sub-zero temperatures Thursday morning.
- Oklahoma City was aiming for a high of 31 degrees Tuesday, but the Weather Service cautioned that unseasonably cold conditions would continue through the weekend, with another round of snow predicted for Thursday.
- Nashville, Tennessee might see temperatures in the “mid 30s,” but it could drop to the teens overnight on Wednesday.