The 7 Coldest Places in West Virginia Get Bone-Chillingly Frigid

The coldest temperature on record in the Mountaineer State is -37 F in the city of Lewisburg. This forested city in the southern dip of the state is also one of the coldest locales in the state, on average. Here are the 7 coldest places in West Virginia.

West Virginia, Factoring in Year-Round Weather

This rugged state is the heart of Appalachia. It’s mountainous and knows what cold weather looks like. At 1500 feet (457 m) mean elevation, it’s got the highest elevation east of the Mississippi River.

Parts of West Virginia stay fairly cool, while others have a big range. In this list, a range of temperatures was considered and calculated to present the colder towns in the state.

7. Buckhannon

Buckhannon’s mean average temperature in July is between 60 and 83 F. The January averages about 20 to 39 F. That’s not particularly frigid, but their record low is -31 F. It’s one of the few places in West Virginia to drop into the negative 30s. Its highest temperature ever was an even 100 F, not too high.

Buckhannon’s settlement dates back to the 1700s, though the city was established in 1816. Sitting in the eastern-center of the state, it’s on the Buckhannon River and is near several state and national forests.

The city is one of the larger entries on this list, with around 5,100 residents. West Virginia Wesleyan College is part of the community. In addition to the namesake river, the town is part of West Virginia’s Mountain Lakes area. It appears to be the largest of the coldest places in West Virginia.

6. Middlebourne

The Middlebourne record low temperature approaches Lewisburg’s record. Middbourne once dropped to -34 F. Their record for hottest tops out at 103. January averages approximately 20 and 39 F, while July averages between 84 and 62 F.

Middlebourne’s name is believed to be derived from a reckoning of its location: Middle Island Creek spikes off the Ohio River and runs through the middle of this burg in the northern part of the state, though this etymology is ultimately unclear. Regionally, the city straddles the Mid-Ohio Valley area and West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle.

The city has under 1,000 residents, with the official population listed as 717. With literal country roads and fall foliage rivaling picturesque New England villages, it looks like a place where it’s probably not so bad living in some weather.

5. Bayard

Bayard’s low-temperature record is -30 F. Still frigid, but the highest low temperature so far. However, its highest recorded is only 95 F. This is a noticeable drop from Middlebourne’s 100. January in Bayard ranges near 17 to 35 F. July averages 56 to 79 F.

In the northern part of West Virginia, Bayard is in an odd spot on the map. It sits right in the crook of the Mountain State’s eastern panhandle, bordering Maryland’s territorial isthmus between West Virginia and Pennsylvania. A large stretch of DC’s Potomac River runs through the state, and Bayard is part of the Potomac Highlands area of West Virginia.

The burg runs not only along the Potomac but also along Buffalo Creek, which cuts straight through the town with its 201 citizens.

4. Lewisburg, Single Record Holder and One of the Coldest Places in West Virginia

Lewisburg is the record holder for the lowest temperature ever recorded in West Virginia. In 1917, the mercury dropped to -37 F. However, it also shot to 102 at one point in its history. Lewisburg’s January range sits around 20 to 39 F, and its July range averages 60 to 83 F.

While the city sets the lowest recorded temperature, Lewisburg is in the state’s far south. This New River-Greenbrier Valley area burg is about 20 miles from the Virginia border.

With a fortunate placing on or near major US highways, “Lewisburg city” (official census name) has a population of 3,922. The census also shows us that 50.5% of the city has a bachelor’s degree, putting it in the running with America’s most educated city of Boulder, CO, where 63% of citizens hold BAs.

3. Huttonsville

Huttonsville’s record high temp is 91 F. Their low temp record is -26. Though it’s not too low, the 91 F gives it a bump in the category of coldest year-round for the state. Their January is around 20 to 40 F, and their July averages near 59 to 79 F.

Huttonsville is just east of West Virginia’s capitol of Charleston. The city is close to thriving forests. Kumbabrow State Forest is southwest, and the colossal Monongahela National Forest is just southeast of the town.

This small rural town in the Mountain Lakes area of West Virginia has 163 residents.

2. Arbovale 

Arbovale’s all-time low temp is -30, and their all-time high is a comparatively chill 93. Their January is a chill average of 17 to 35 F, and July is around 56 and 79 F. 

Where Huttonsville had some healthy forests nearby, Arbovale is positively ensconced in the verdure. It sits within the Monongahela National Forest, just north of George Washington & Jefferson National Forest and just west of Shenandoah National Park. Spruce Knob, West Virginia’s highest peak, is just a short drive to the north. 

The town has 140 residents and is part of the Potomac Highlands area of the state. A very fascinating nearby landmark is the Green Bank telescope and observatory.

1. Slaty Fork, the Overall Coldest Place in West Virginia

The overall coldest place in West Virginia is Slaty Fork. Their record low temperature was -36 F, just one degree off Lewisburg. The highest temperature recorded in Slaty Fork, WV, was only 87 degrees. Januaries in Slaty Fork range from 21 to 36 F and July dances between 63 an 78 on average. 

This town is just down the way from Huttonsville, so the incredible natural surroundings are similar. It’s also right near the Snowshoe Resort ski area. 

By population, Slatyfork is the smallest on this list. For those looking to get away, this might be the place. As an unincorporated township, the direct population is hard to find, but its individual zip code lists 98 residents.

Summary of The 7 Coldest Places in West Virginia