The 5 Coldest Places in Mississippi Will Chill You to Your Core

The Magnolia State, Mississippi, may not be the first state to come to mind when you think of cold places. After all, Mississippi has a humid subtropical climate characterized by hot, humid summers followed by mild winters. However, despite the state not sporting temperatures as low as those found in the north during the winter, Mississippi is still home to some rather chilly places. Below, learn about five of the coldest places in Mississippi, including the coldest in the entire state!

Corinth

The coldest place in Mississippi is none other than the city of Corinth. Corinth is located in the northeasternmost region of the state, far from the warmer region bordering the Gulf of Mexico. As of 2020, it had a population of 14,622.

Although much of the state enjoys the humid subtropical climate common among southern states, temperatures in Corinth and surrounding cities are known to plummet, especially come winter. In fact, not only is Corinth the overall coldest place in Mississippi, but it is also home to some of the coldest temperatures recorded in the state. On  January 30, 1966, Corinth reached the bone-aching, shivery temperature of negative 19 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature has also earned it the title of having one of the lowest temperatures recorded throughout the Gulf Coast region.

But why is Corinth so cold?

Along with being further north and away from the Gulf of Mexico, the city of Corinth is also at a higher elevation, around 600 feet above sea level. While this might not seem impressive compared to states featuring slopping mountains thousands above sea level, this is a relatively high elevation compared to the low-lying landscape of much of Mississippi. As a result, cities within this region are much more likely to experience colder weather than other areas in Mississippi.

Corinth, along with two other cities on this list (Oxford and Tupelo), is among the snowiest places in Mississippi, averaging 1 to 3 inches of snow each year on average.

Holly Springs

Holly Springs is located approximately 60 miles west of Corinth. Sitting at a similar elevation and latitude as Corinth, the two cities have extremely similar weather patterns. As a result, Holly Springs is also often considered the coldest place in Mississippi on average, although its extremes are not nearly as variable as those in Corinth. As of 2021, it had a population of 6,565.

The record lows in Holly Springs throughout the year often reach as low as negative 12 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter, the average low is often below freezing. Its January low is just a degree more than that of Corinth, at approximately 29 degrees Fahrenheit on average. On average, this city in Mississippi receives around two inches of snow annually. 

Boonesville

Boonesville is not located too far south of Corinth, meaning it shares a climate similar to that of the coldest place in Mississippi. It is around half an hour south, less than 20 miles. Compared to both Corinth and Holly Springs, however, Boonesville is at a lower elevation (518 feet above sea level). As a result, while its temperatures are still frigid compared to much of the state’s southern region, it is warmer than the first two entries on this list.

The record low for Boonesville sits at negative 10 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature has been seen multiple times in different winter months. During the winter, the average minimum temperature typically sits just above freezing, ranging from around 32 degrees to 40. However, in January, this number drops to around 29 degrees on average instead. 

The population of Boonesville in 2021 was 8,681.

Oxford

Oxford has an elevation of 505 feet above sea level. It is located in the state’s northern region, as are many of the coldest places in Mississippi. The average low only reaches above freezing in January. However, cold temperatures can be recorded throughout the entirety of the year. The record low for this state is negative 13 degrees Fahrenheit in January, followed by negative 10 degrees in February. 

The 2021 population for Oxford was 26,430.

Tupelo

Tupelo has the lowest elevation of the cities and towns listed above, with the city sitting at 279 feet above sea level. As a result, while it is still much colder than most of Mississippi, it is fifth on this list.

On average, there is no time during the year when the mean low is below freezing. Instead, its coldest average is in January, which is around 33 degrees Fahrenheit. However, its record lows are impressive, surpassing even Boonesville’s. Some of the coldest temperatures ever recorded in Tupelo are negative 14 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Tupelo is one of the most populated cities on this list, with a 2021 population of 37,667.

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