Discover the 10 Coldest Places in Pennsylvania

Thanks to the polar air masses from the north, winters in Pennsylvania are all about dry, bare branches, frigid temperatures, cold breath, slush, sleet, and knee-deep snow. Generally speaking, winters can be quite rough in the state. Adding to the intrusion of polar air, Pennsylvania’s elevation, and topography often amplify the impact of weather systems, making it prone to sudden and unpredictable variations in its climate. And while it does not get brutally cold everywhere in Pennsylvania, some cities and counties experience notoriously cold winters. The greatest weather extremes are usually experienced by Pennsylvania’s northern and western regions, where temperatures range from below zero degrees on the Fahrenheit scale to the high 30s. Here are 10 of the coldest places in Pennsylvania, where winters can be especially harsh.

The Coldest Places in Pennsylvania

From December to early March, Pennsylvania is at its coldest, especially at the northern and high latitudes. Freezing temperatures occur, on average, for 100 or more days annually in the state. The mountainous regions record the highest occurrences. The southeastern locations, on the other hand, experience more milder temperatures. The following list of the coldest places in Pennsylvania uses the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI’s) county mapping tool to identify the coldest regions in the state based on historical temperature data. It also takes into account the coldest temperatures on record. January is usually the coldest time of the year when most of these places reach near-freezing temperatures.

1. Smethport, Mckean County

The small town of Smethport takes the cake for being the coldest place in Pennsylvania. Smethport, which is situated in the Appalachian Mountains region, sits at an altitude of 1,488 feet above sea level. The region’s elevation, geographical location, and broader climatic patterns often send temperatures plunging far below freezing. The coldest record in the town of Smethport was on January 5, 1904, when temperatures dropped to -42°F (-41°C). The area experiences an average annual low of 34 degrees and receives approximately 51 inches of snowfall every year. The county, however, embraces the season well. It hosts plenty of opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and even ice fishing in the winter.

2. Lawrenceville, Tioga County

Much of Tioga County experiences very cold winters. However, it gets the coldest in the Lawrenceville township in Tioga County. Situated in North Central Pennsylvania, the Lawrenceville township is located just south of the New York border. The average low temperatures in winter are around 36°F and the county gets about 37 inches of snow on average every year. Despite the cold, the Lawrenceville township, which is one of the largest neighborhoods in the city of Pittsburgh is a great place to visit for its boutiques, artist studios, coffee shops, and galleries.

3. Sullivan County

Sullivan County, known as the ‘Gem of the Endless Mountains’ regularly experiences some of the coldest temperatures in the state. Average winter temperatures in the area typically range from the low to the mid-30s. Snowfall averages, on the other hand, can reach up to 70 inches annually. Towards the northern part of Sullivan County, ‘Lopez’, a small village located in the Laporte Township is said to be particularly susceptible to extreme cold. Residents and visitors often dub this small quaint village as the “Icebox of Pennsylvania” due to its frigid temperatures, especially in the winter.

4. Bradford

The city of Bradford which was once a small lumber town called ‘Littleton’ is situated in McKean County, close to the northern border of Pennsylvania. It lies nestled in a valley and is bounded by dense forests, steep hills, and the Alleghany Mountains. The city which sits at a high elevation, often experiences some rip-roaring cold spells, particularly at Bradford Airport. The average low temperature in the city is around 34.4°F, with the Bradford Airport typically recording colder temperatures than the rest of the city. The area also receives substantial snowfall, largely influenced by lake effect precipitation from Lakes Erie and Ontario. The Lake effect snowfall usually occurs in the late fall and early winter. Although, during colder periods, isolated events during early spring are also not uncommon.

5. Warren

The city of Warren in Pennsylvania is located just west of the Alleghany Reservoir. Average annual low temperatures in the area range around 37.6ºF. The city receives an average annual snowfall of 69 inches. The rather outrageously cold temperatures in Warren City can be attributed in part, to the surrounding vast acres of forests and miles of waterways. Despite the biting cold temperatures, the city remains beautiful. It boasts a 28-block National Historic District, an 1870s Second Empire house that transforms into a winter wonderland around Christmas time, and a reservoir that is open to water skiing.

6. Somerset County

Somerset County, often referred to as the “Roof Garden of Pennsylvania” and “the land of Milk and Maple,” was established from Bedford County. Nestled among the Laurel and Allegheny Mountains, the county features a diverse landscape of rolling hills, valleys, and mountainous terrain. Mount Davis, the highest point in Pennsylvania with an elevation of 3,213 feet above sea level is centered in Somerset County. Daytime temperatures in the area range in the mid-20s to 30s during most of the winter and the county receives an average annual snowfall of 80 inches. The Great Alleghany Passage, the Flight 93 National Memorial, and its ski resorts are some of the county’s unique offerings.

7. Coudersport, Potter County

Potter County, located in the Alleghany Plateau region is one of the most rural counties in the state of Pennsylvania. In the heart of Potter County, sits a friendly Pennsylvania Heritage community called ‘Coudersport’. Often hailed as “God’s Country”, this scenic countryside which lies beside the Alleghany River, frequently experiences low temperatures in the winter. The average annual low temperature in Coudersport is 34ºF.

8. Elk County

Elk County, situated in the north-central part of Pennsylvania was created from parts of Clearfield, Jefferson, and McKean counties. A combination of factors such as elevated terrain, the presence of the Alleghany Mountains, and the influence of water bodies like the Clarion River, Sinnemahoning Creek, and its tributaries creates a climate that is characterized by colder temperatures in the county. In January, the average low temperature in the area usually hovers around 26.0 °F.

9. Susquehanna County

Susquehanna County sits at the top of the Endless Mountains in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Perched at an elevated terrain, the county is predictably one of the coldest places in Pennsylvania. January is the coldest month of the year in Susquehanna County. With an average high of 31°F and an average low of 18°F, it can get pretty cold in the area during the month of January. The county is home to the popular Elk Mountain Ski Resort which is one of the first commercial ski areas in the state.

10. Cameron County

Cameron County, situated in north-central Pennsylvania was created from parts of Elk, Clearfield, McKean, Clinton, and Potter counties. Located in a mountainous region within the Allegheny Plateau, temperatures in the county hover around freezing for most of the winter. The average low temperature in the month of January is around 16.4°Farenheit. Occasional snowstorms in the area are also quite common and Cameron County receives about 39 inches of snow on average per year.

Summary of the 10 Coldest Places in Pennsylvania