The 6 Coldest Places in Missouri Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine

Missouri lies at the heart of the United States and its weather is marked by seasonal changes. Those living in the state experience cold winters and warm summers, but they generally don’t have to worry about extreme temperatures. However, the six coldest places in Missouri have experienced bitter cold that isn’t for the faint of heart.

1. Clark County

Clark County is the northernmost county in Missouri. It is home to the northernmost point in the state, which is located at 40°36′49″N 91°43′45″W along the Iowa border on the Des Moines River northeast of Anson. The population was 7,139 people as of the 2010 census.

As the northernmost portion of the state, Clark County experiences lower average temperatures than the majority of the state. For example, according to bestplaces.net, January has the coldest nighttime temperatures for Clark County with an average of 15.6°.

This is far below the statewide average low in January, which is 37.3°F. One of the lowest temperatures in the county was recorded in Kahoka, MO. at -9°F. However, temperatures in this area have never reached lows as extreme as the next two entries on this list.

2. Columbia

Columbia is the fourth largest city in Missouri, after Kansas City and St. Louis. Located in central Missouri, the city has a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 census. Columbia is home to the University of Missouri (MU), as well as numerous parks and nature preserves.

Average annual temperatures in Columbia are recorded as a high of 65°F and a low of 44°F, according to U.S. Climate Data. The average annual precipitation is 42.62 inches, and the average annual snowfall is 19 inches.  The overall average annual temperature in the city is just over 54 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Columbia experiences moderately cold winters, but temperatures have reached extremes. For example, on February 12, 1899 temperatures in Columbia reached a record-breaking low of −26 °F.

Despite the cold, according to iHeart, Stacker had this to say about the weather in Columbia: “The cooler temperatures don’t deter students—or many visitors—from exploring the variety of natural features the area offers, including Stephens Lake Park, the Shelter Gardens, and underground caves.”

3. Weldon Spring

Some of the coldest temperatures ever occurred in the winter of 1989. According to the National Weather Service, low temps and 10-20 mph winds resulted in bitter weather for an extended period in the days surrounding Christmas that year.

During this time, Weldon Spring in St. Charles County, MO. reached temperatures of -28°F on the morning of December 22nd. Weldon Spring is located in eastern Missouri and has a population of 5,443 people as of the 2010 census. Average annual temperatures lie at around 55°F.

4. Steeleville

During the winter of 1989, Steelville, MO. experienced extreme cold as well. This city in Crawford County is located in western Missouri and has a population of only 1,642 people as of the 2010 census. On December 22, 1989, temperatures reached a frigid -29°F in Steelville. However, this was way outside the city’s norm. According to Weather Spark, typical temperatures in Steelville are between 26°F and 88°F.

5. Maryville

Maryville is a city located in northwestern Missouri in Nodaway County. The city contains Northwest Missouri State University and Northwest Technical School and has a population of 11,972 people as of the 2010 census.

Some news outlets list Maryville as the coldest place in Missouri. The city definitely features extreme weather, with hot summers and unusually cold winters compared to the rest of the state. Maryville has an average low of 40°F. The lowest temperature ever recorded in the city was -32 °F which occurred on January 13, 1974, according to Extreme Weather Watch.

6. Warsaw

Warsaw, MO. holds the record for the coldest recorded temperature in the state. On February 13, 1905 temperatures in this small sitting dropped to a frigid -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Incredibly, temperatures in this city have also reached extremes on the other end of the spectrum.

On July 14, 1954, the temperature in Warsaw reached 117.9 °F, which remains the record high in the state of Missouri. It’s also worth noting that despite these records, freezing cold and blistering heat aren’t the norm in Warsaw. The average annual temperature in the city is a mild 56.7 °F or 13.7 °C.

Located in Benton County, MO. in the central portion of the state, Warsaw is adjacent to the Osage River and Truman Lake. It is an incredible spot for outdoor enthusiasts thanks to the nearby Truman Lake Mountain Bike Park, hiking and equestrian trails, Drake Harbour, and more. Warsaw’s population was 2,127 as of the 2010 census.

Summary of the 6 Coldest Places in Missouri