The coldest city in Tennessee

Daniel Dennerline
·8 min read
10
The coldest city in Tennessee

The warmer months of the year are often cherished as a time of adventure and excitement, but after a summer scientists have declared the hottest on record, many are ready to embrace the cooler weather autumn and winter typically bring. While not every state gets particularly cold—especially places with notoriously mild winters like Florida—each has a city that is typically colder than the rest.

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Citing data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Stacker identified the coldest city in every state. The list below is based on five-year average temperatures from January 2018 to December 2022 and also includes the average daily minimum and maximum temperatures for each ranked city.

Cities are ranked relative to the entire national dataset of 214 cities.

Some of these locations experience a full range of temperatures annually—from very high temperatures in the summer to nail-bitingly cold temperatures in the winter. Others simply experience cooler versions of their typically warm (or cold) weather. But whether you’re looking to hike glaciers and ski down snow-packed mountains or just to enjoy a pleasant reprieve from the heat, there is likely a city here that meets your winter needs.

Tennessee’s Coldest City

The coldest city in Tennessee can be found in the eastern part of the state – Johnson City.

Colony Park Drive in Johnson City.
Colony Park Drive in Johnson City.
Donald R Slaughter // Shutterstock

Tennessee: Johnson City

– #121. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 58 F
– Average daily maximum: 69.6 F
– Average daily minimum: 46.5 F

| Check out more lists and rankings from across Tennessee →

Check out the coldest cities in the other 49 states below.

Pond in Huntsville.
Pond in Huntsville.
Canva

Alabama: Huntsville

– #142. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 62.6 F
– Average daily maximum: 73.2 F
– Average daily minimum: 52 F

Barrow, the most northern part of Alaska.
Barrow, the most northern part of Alaska.
sunsinger // Shutterstock

Alaska: Utqiaġvik

– #1. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 16.5 F
– Average daily maximum: 22 F
– Average daily minimum: 11.1 F

Snowy skyline of Flagstaff in December.
Snowy skyline of Flagstaff in December.
Tim Roberts Photography // Shutterstock

Arizona: Flagstaff

– #30. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 47.3 F
– Average daily maximum: 62.3 F
– Average daily minimum: 32.4 F

Little Rock Winter Skyline.
Little Rock Winter Skyline.
Graves Creative Design // Shutterstock

Arkansas: Little Rock

– #141. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 62.4 F
– Average daily maximum: 72.7 F
– Average daily minimum: 52.1 F

Historic downtown Eureka.
Historic downtown Eureka.
Matt Gush // Shutterstock

California: Eureka

– #76. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 52.5 F
– Average daily maximum: 59.2 F
– Average daily minimum: 45.7 F

Aerial view of Alamosa during winter.
Aerial view of Alamosa during winter.
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

Colorado: Alamosa

– #8. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 43.5 F
– Average daily maximum: 62.5 F
– Average daily minimum: 24.5 F

Snowy Capitol building in Hartford.
Snowy Capitol building in Hartford.
Jennifer Yakey-Ault // Shutterstock

Connecticut: Hartford

– #71. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 52.2 F
– Average daily maximum: 62.4 F
– Average daily minimum: 42 F

Wilmington skyline along the Christiana River.
Wilmington skyline along the Christiana River.
Paul Brady Photography // Shutterstock

Delaware: Wilmington

– #110. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 56.6 F
– Average daily maximum: 65.9 F
– Average daily minimum: 47.3 F

Tallahassee downtown skyline.
Tallahassee downtown skyline.
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

Florida: Tallahassee

– #177. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 69.7 F
– Average daily maximum: 80.7 F
– Average daily minimum: 58.8 F

Aerial view of Atlanta, Georgia in winter.
Aerial view of Atlanta, Georgia in winter.
Mark F Lotterhand // Shutterstock

Georgia: Atlanta

– #154. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 64.9 F
– Average daily maximum: 74 F
– Average daily minimum: 55.8 F

Aerial view of rural Hilo, Hawaii.
Aerial view of rural Hilo, Hawaii.
Vanessa Belfiore // Shutterstock

Hawaii: Hilo

– #50. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 76.2 F
– Average daily maximum: 83.5 F
– Average daily minimum: 69.1 F

A winter scene of a country ranch home and barn covered in snow in the mountains of North Idaho.
A winter scene of a country ranch home and barn covered in snow in the mountains of North Idaho.
Kirk Fisher // Shutterstock

Idaho: Pocatello

– #32. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 47.4 F
– Average daily maximum: 61 F
– Average daily minimum: 33.7 F

Main Street District sign in Rockford.
Main Street District sign in Rockford.
Cheri Alguire // Shutterstock

Illinois: Rockford

– #53. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 50.2 F
– Average daily maximum: 60.1 F
– Average daily minimum: 40.4 F

South Bend buildings on a sunny day.
South Bend buildings on a sunny day.
Canva

Indiana: South Bend

– #59. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 51.3 F
– Average daily maximum: 60.5 F
– Average daily minimum: 42 F

Historical buildings in downtown Dubuque.
Historical buildings in downtown Dubuque.
Dawid S Swierczek // Shutterstock

Iowa: Dubuque

– #33. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 47.5 F
– Average daily maximum: 56.7 F
– Average daily minimum: 38.3 F

A windmill in a snowy winter landscape.
A windmill in a snowy winter landscape.
Kimberly’s Impressions // Shutterstock

Kansas: Goodland

– #69. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 52.1 F
– Average daily maximum: 66.9 F
– Average daily minimum: 37.4 F

Lexington skyline.
Lexington skyline.
Canva

Kentucky: Lexington

– #100. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 55.6 F
– Average daily maximum: 65.3 F
– Average daily minimum: 46 F

Scene after Winter Storm Uri in Northeast Louisiana.
Scene after Winter Storm Uri in Northeast Louisiana.
Hegearl // Shutterstock

Louisiana: Monroe

– #164. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 66.7 F
– Average daily maximum: 77.5 F
– Average daily minimum: 56 F

Rural winter scene.
Rural winter scene.
Canva

Maine: Caribou

– #3. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 41.7 F
– Average daily maximum: 51.6 F
– Average daily minimum: 31.8 F

Baltimore’s Patterson Park Pagoda in the snow.
Baltimore’s Patterson Park Pagoda in the snow.
Jon Bilous // Shutterstock

Maryland: Baltimore

– #122. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 58.1 F
– Average daily maximum: 68.1 F
– Average daily minimum: 48.1 F

Worcester cityscape.
Worcester cityscape.
Canva

Massachusetts: Worcester

– #49. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 49.9 F
– Average daily maximum: 58 F
– Average daily minimum: 41.8 F

International bridge to Sault Ste. Marie in winter.
International bridge to Sault Ste. Marie in winter.
Canva

Michigan: Sault Ste. Marie

– #7. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 43.1 F
– Average daily maximum: 51.3 F
– Average daily minimum: 34.8 F

Silver Lake Park and tall buildings in Downtown Rochester.
Silver Lake Park and tall buildings in Downtown Rochester.
Bob Pool // Shutterstock

Minnesota: Rochester

– #14. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 44.6 F
– Average daily maximum: 53.7 F
– Average daily minimum: 35.4 F

Tupelo City Hall.
Tupelo City Hall.
Canva

Mississippi: Tupelo

– #152. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 64.7 F
– Average daily maximum: 75.3 F
– Average daily minimum: 54.1 F

The skyline of Kansas City from an aerial view.
The skyline of Kansas City from an aerial view.
ANNVIPS // Shutterstock

Missouri: Kansas City

– #100. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 55.6 F
– Average daily maximum: 65.6 F
– Average daily minimum: 45.6 F

Scenic street view with shops and hotels in Kalispell.
Scenic street view with shops and hotels in Kalispell.
Nick Fox // Shutterstock

Montana: Kalispell

– #8. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 43.5 F
– Average daily maximum: 55.9 F
– Average daily minimum: 31.2 F

Aerial View of Downtown Scottsbluff, Nebraska in Winter.
Aerial View of Downtown Scottsbluff, Nebraska in Winter.
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

Nebraska: Scottsbluff

– #51. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 50 F
– Average daily maximum: 65.2 F
– Average daily minimum: 34.8 F

Route 50 in Ely with mountain range in the background.
Route 50 in Ely with mountain range in the background.
Sandra Foyt // Shutterstock

Nevada: Ely

– #24. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 46.2 F
– Average daily maximum: 63.3 F
– Average daily minimum: 29.1 F

Sign for the Mount Washington Summit.
Sign for the Mount Washington Summit.
Cory Knowlton // Shutterstock

New Hampshire: Mount Washington

– #1. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 29 F
– Average daily maximum: 35.2 F
– Average daily minimum: 22.7 F

Atlantic City beach in winter.
Atlantic City beach in winter.
Canva

New Jersey: Atlantic City

– #106. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 56.1 F
– Average daily maximum: 65.8 F
– Average daily minimum: 46.4 F

A gondola on Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway.
A gondola on Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway.
PICTOR PICTURES // Shutterstock

New Mexico: Albuquerque

– #125. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 58.6 F
– Average daily maximum: 71.1 F
– Average daily minimum: 45.9 F

Downtown Binghamton in winter.
Downtown Binghamton in winter.
Paul Juser // Shutterstock

New York: Binghamton

– #28. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 47.2 F
– Average daily maximum: 55.4 F
– Average daily minimum: 39 F

The skyline of downtown Asheville at sunset.
The skyline of downtown Asheville at sunset.
Derek Olson Photography // Shutterstock

North Carolina: Asheville

– #119. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 57.8 F
– Average daily maximum: 67.8 F
– Average daily minimum: 47.7 F

Cityscape of Grand Forks.
Cityscape of Grand Forks.
Canva

North Dakota: Grand Forks

– #2. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 39.6 F
– Average daily maximum: 50.7 F
– Average daily minimum: 28.5 F

Heavy snow on a side street in Cleveland.
Heavy snow on a side street in Cleveland.
John Judnick // Shutterstock

Ohio: Cleveland

– #72. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 52.3 F
– Average daily maximum: 60.7 F
– Average daily minimum: 43.9 F

Downtown Oklahoma City.
Downtown Oklahoma City.
Gerson Repreza // Shutterstock

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City

– #132. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 60.3 F
– Average daily maximum: 71.5 F
– Average daily minimum: 49 F

The Liberty Theater and downtown Astoria.
The Liberty Theater and downtown Astoria.
Bob Pool // Shutterstock

Oregon: Astoria

– #65. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 51.7 F
– Average daily maximum: 58.8 F
– Average daily minimum: 44.5 F

View of the Scranton Electric Building and statue of George Washington.
View of the Scranton Electric Building and statue of George Washington.
quiggyt4 // Shutterstock

Pennsylvania: Scranton

– #72. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 52.3 F
– Average daily maximum: 61.7 F
– Average daily minimum: 43 F

Winter skyline of Providence.
Winter skyline of Providence.
Canva

Rhode Island: Providence

– #84. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 53.3 F
– Average daily maximum: 62.2 F
– Average daily minimum: 44.3 F

A Christmas tree at night in front of the capitol building.
A Christmas tree at night in front of the capitol building.
Ruoshi Cao // Getty Images

South Carolina: Columbia

– #156. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 65.4 F
– Average daily maximum: 76.3 F
– Average daily minimum: 54.4 F

Aerial view of Aberdeen in winter.
Aerial view of Aberdeen in winter.
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

South Dakota: Aberdeen

– #13. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 44.3 F
– Average daily maximum: 56.2 F
– Average daily minimum: 32.5 F

Amarillo cityscape.
Amarillo cityscape.
Canva

Texas: Amarillo

– #126. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 59 F
– Average daily maximum: 73.3 F
– Average daily minimum: 44.7 F

Aerial view of a street in Cedar City.
Aerial view of a street in Cedar City.
Abdulelah Fakhrani // Shutterstock

Utah: Cedar City

– #62. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 51.6 F
– Average daily maximum: 66.3 F
– Average daily minimum: 37 F

Houses covered in snow in Montpelier.
Houses covered in snow in Montpelier.
yegorovnick // Shutterstock

Vermont: Montpelier

– #17. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 45.5 F
– Average daily maximum: 55.5 F
– Average daily minimum: 35.5 F

Snow blankets the grounds around pond in the Herndon-Dulles Technology Corridor.
Snow blankets the grounds around pond in the Herndon-Dulles Technology Corridor.
Cvandyke // Shutterstock

Virginia: Washington (Dulles)

– #114. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 57 F
– Average daily maximum: 67.3 F
– Average daily minimum: 46.7 F

The Great Northern Clocktower and Riverfront Park with snowfall.
The Great Northern Clocktower and Riverfront Park with snowfall.
Kirk Fisher // Shutterstock

Washington: Spokane

– #44. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 49.2 F
– Average daily maximum: 58.5 F
– Average daily minimum: 39.9 F

Downtown Elkins.
Downtown Elkins.
David Harmantas // Shutterstock

West Virginia: Elkins

– #78. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 52.6 F
– Average daily maximum: 64.3 F
– Average daily minimum: 41 F

Ski resort in the winter in Wisconsin.
Ski resort in the winter in Wisconsin.
Apaullo // Shutterstock

Wisconsin: Wausau

– #19. nationally (tie)
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 45.5 F
– Average daily maximum: 54.8 F
– Average daily minimum: 36.1 F

Aerial view of Downtown Casper at dusk.
Aerial view of Downtown Casper at dusk.
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

Wyoming: Casper

– #15. nationally
– Average temperature, 2018-2022: 45.2 F
– Average daily maximum: 59.6 F
– Average daily minimum: 30.7 F

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