Discover the 7 Coldest Places in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, the skiing mecca of the Midwest, winters are characterized by brutal cold snaps and frigid temperatures. Located in the northern part of the United States, the geographical location of Wisconsin plays a crucial role in shaping its climate. The absence of mountain barriers between Canada and the Gulf of Mexico, coupled with the state’s midaltitude placement, allows polar and tropical air masses to influence the region, leading to substantial snowfall and extremely cold temperatures, especially during the winter months. Northern Wisconsin, particularly, sits in the heart of a big snow country. Here are some of the coldest places in Wisconsin (ranked in no particular order), where snowfall and unusually cold temperatures are pretty regular occurrences. These places also have some of the coldest January temperatures on record.

The 7 Coldest Places in Wisconsin

1. Eau Claire

The city of Eau Claire positioned along the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers in the west-central part of Wisconsin is one of the coldest places in the state. In January, the coolest month, Eau Claire’s temperature charts show an average high of 19.4°F and an average low of 6.3°F. Most of the extreme cold snaps experienced in the area are attributed to the ‘polar vortex‘. As this jet stream of arctic air spills into the region, temperatures can plummet to all-time lows. Eau Claire’s coldest temperature recorded was on January 30, 1951, when temperatures dipped to -45° Fahrenheit. The city gets about 46 inches of snow on average per year.

2. Rhinelander

Rhinelander, a small town rich in forests, trails, and lakes, lies nestled in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. The town experiences some of the harshest winter conditions with frequent snowfall and extremely cold temperatures. Average temperatures in January range from 23° Fahrenheit to 2° Fahrenheit. Yearly snowfall in Rhinelander averages 56 inches. Historical climate data indicate that the town has seen temperatures as low as -41° Fahrenheit. Despite the cold, winters in the town are never dull. Rhinelander is a central hub for snowmobiling and is also home to some great cross-country skiing and snow-shoe trails.

3. Couderay, Sawyer County

Situated in northwest Wisconsin, Couderay, a town in Sawyer County, is another place that stands among the contenders for the coldest places in the state. The county, as a whole experiences some pretty frigid temperatures with an average variation of 19° Fahrenheit to 5° Fahrenheit in January. Temperatures in Couderay during the month of January typically hover between -0.4°F (-18°Celcius) and 23°F (-5° Celcius). Snowfall in Sawyer County can average 54 inches per year. The town of Couderay holds the official record for the coldest temperature in the state at -55 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. La Crosse

The city of La Crosse is situated in southwestern Wisconsin where the Mississippi, Black, and La Crosse Rivers converge. Flanked by towering bluffs and breathtaking valleys, the city encounters notably colder temperatures, primarily due to its close proximity to water bodies and its topographical features. The mean maximum temperature in the city during January is around 26.6°F (-3° Celcius) and the minimum temperature readings average around 12.2°F (-11° Celcius). Snowfall in the area averages 41 inches per year. The city set its lowest temperature record in the year 1873 when temperatures plummeted to -43 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Wausau

Running through the heart of central Wisconsin, Wausau is a small town stretching along the Wisconsin River. It serves as the county seat of Marathon County. Thanks to its northern location and its proximity to the Great Lakes, Wausau is susceptible to severe cold winters. Average temperatures in January can fluctuate between 23°F (-5° Celcius) and 5°F (-15° Celcius). The area also gets around 56 inches of snow annually. The coldest temperature recorded in Wausau was in the year 1951 when winter readings dropped as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the frigid temperatures, this tiny, artsy town is still worth stopping at, if you want to revel in winter activities like skiing, sledding, and snowmobiling in the winter.

6. Green Bay

Wisconsin’s oldest city, Green Bay is located in the northeastern part of the state. Green Bay enjoys an abundance of diverse natural resources and is also recognized as one of the coldest locales in the state. Average temperatures in January in the city range from around 26°F to 11°F. On most winter days, temperatures in Green Bay remain below freezing. The city sees an average snowfall of around 48 inches every year. The city experienced one of its coldest winters on January 21, 1888, when temperatures fell to -36 degrees.

7. Madison

Madison, the state capital of Wisconsin and the second largest city in the state is located in south-central Wisconsin within the Four Lakes region. A portion of the city is constructed on an isthmus, land bridge connecting Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. The city’s inland position and the absence of moderating influences from large water bodies among other factors are primarily responsible for the colder temperatures in the region. Average temperatures in the city can swing between 26.6°F (-3°Celcius) and 8.6°F (-13° Celcius). The city also gets some spectacular snowfalls that can often last for nearly seven months in a year. In Madison, snowfall averages in a year are typically around four and a half feet or 53 inches. The city recorded its coldest temperature in the year 1951 when temperatures plummeted to -37 degrees Fahrenheit.

Summary of the Coldest Places in Wisconsin