Discover the Coldest Place in Georgia

Not to be confused with the country, Georgia is one of the southeasternmost states in the United States. Bordered on one side by the Atlantic Ocean, and by Alabama on the other, Georgia is hot, humid, and largely flat. Famous as the seat for many important events in the Civil Rights Movement, Georgia is chock full of history. But, what about its year-round climate? Does it ever snow in this southern state? And, just where can you find the coldest place in Georgia?

We’ll answer those questions, and many more, here. First, we’ll find out exactly where Georgia’s cold spots lie. We’ll even go over the coldest temperature ever recorded in the state. After that, we’ll take a closer look at the coldest place in Georgia, starting with its history, and local wildlife. Finally, we’ll list a few of the best things to do in Georgia’s coldest spot.

The Coldest Place in Georgia

With an average maximum temperature of only 63 degrees Fahrenheit, Roswell is the coldest place in Georgia. The average annual temperature — that is, the year-round average, which includes both summer and winter temps — is 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers can be scorching with an average maximum temperature of 91 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Winters do cool down quite a bit, with temperatures dropping to 35 degrees Fahrenheit or colder in January. Georgia also sees a fair amount of rain, with December being the rainiest time of the year. Cleveland, Georgia also has some of the state’s lowest average temperatures.

With an average temperature of only 63 degrees Fahrenheit, Roswell is the coldest place in Georgia. Summers average 91 degrees while temperatures drop to 35 degrees or colder during winter months.

The Coldest Temperature Ever Recorded in Georgia

The coldest temperature ever recorded in Georgia was -17 degrees below zero (Fahrenheit). The record was set on January 27th of 1940. This temperature is far below the usual winter temps in the state, and occurred due to a confluence of unusual meteorological conditions. The state’s lowest temperature wasn’t recorded in any town either. Rather, Georgia’s lowest ever recorded temperature occurred in an unnamed section of Floyd County, in the northwestern part of the state. In contrast, the warmest temperature ever recorded in Georgia is 112 degrees Fahrenheit, recorded in Louisville in July of 1952.

The History of Roswell, Georgia

First incorporated in 1854, Roswell is an old town. Today, it has around 100,000 residents and makes for a popular weekend getaway just outside of Atlanta. The town even has its own podcast!

Roswell was first imagined by a man named Roswell King, way back in the 1830s. King, believing the location to be an ideal one economically, started by building his own cotton mill in the area. The mill, known as Roswell Mill, was built by King’s enslaved laborers, as were many of the town’s original buildings. But, more than milling, King also established cotton plantations nearby, thereby consolidating the entire cotton process. Today, visitors can tour a wide variety of historic homes, as well as the original Roswell cotton mill ruins.

The coldest place in Georgia was not immune to the Civil War. In fact, it fell to Union soldiers, who burned the cotton mills. At that time, mill production stopped, and many people fled, or were sent north. After the Civil War, the King family continued to produce cotton, albeit with paid African American workers, rather than enslaved peoples.

Wildlife and Ecology of Roswell

Georgia is home to a wide variety of wildlife, though Roswell is lacking in alligators. In fact, one of the most common predators in and around Roswell is actually the coyote, a species familiar to many. Venturing slightly north into the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests gives visitors the chance to see everything from squirrels to bobcats. 

Locally, raccoons, opossums, and chipmunks are common visitors to yards and parks. Additionally, the rivers, lakes, and wetlands in the area are home to snapping turtles, water snakes, cottonmouths, and even river otters. Great blue herons stalk the waterways, and red-tailed hawks hunt the fields. If you venture out at night, you might even hear the call of a great horned owl.

Things to Do in Roswell, Georgia

The coldest place in Georgia is just a stone’s throw from Atlanta; there’s no shortage of things to do in Roswell. History buffs can tour the town’s historic district, as well as the Marietta History Center. There’s also the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, and the Marietta Fire Museum and Old Mill Park. Kids will love the Chattahoochee Nature Center and Riverside Park. And nature-lovers won’t want to miss the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center, as well as the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.

Downtown Roswell offers a wide variety of restaurants, bar, and hotels. The town is also home to the Roswell Beer Festival, Roswell Roots Festival, Roswell Lavender Festival, the Roswell Wine Festival, and more.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/trekandshoot