With Heatwaves Ripping Across Most of the U.S., Discover the Tiny Town Still Recording Near Freezing Temps

While the ocean is the warmest it’s ever been and plants in Arizona are starting to wither due to the unrelenting heat, one small town in Colorado has record low temperatures. On August, 16, a tiny town roughly one mile from Grand Lake, CO hit 36 degrees. 

Death Valley, one of the hottest places on Earth, hit 117 degrees while the location in Colorado was a chilly 36 degrees! The low temperature is a crucial reminder that Colorado’s summertime lows can still be close to freezing. 

This will occasionally lead to hazardous circumstances and snow on the state’s summits.

Just like most states around the country, Colorado has hot summers and cold winters. It’s unusual for such a range to occur during the toasty months we’ve seen in 2023. 

Grand Lake’s History of Cold Weather

The small town of Grand Lake is encircled by gorgeous mountain peaks and is located on the tranquil shoreline of Colorado’s largest natural lake. The lakeside setting is unrivaled with stunning vistas of the Rocky Mountains and is complemented by an abundance of wildlife and expansive foliage at an elevation of 8,369 feet. 

Grand Lake, CO recorded the coldest temperatures in the contiguous 48 states nearly 30 times throughout 2020. Experts are saying that the weather in this area may get worse in the future. 

Nearby in Peter Sinks, UT, the small city claimed the coldest temperatures in the country 94 times in a single year. 

Death Valley’s Deadly Heat

While a small area of Colorado is showing just how chilly it can get, Death Valley is doing the opposite. Death Valley has frequently been referred to as the hottest spot on earth throughout the summer. 

The stifling heat that seldom appears to go away may be caused by Death Valley’s shape. It has high, rugged mountain ranges on every side and is both narrow and long. While this is a different aspect of Death Valley’s hostile character, its intrinsic dryness adds to its persistent heat concerns.

Death Valley’s extreme heat is ultimately caused by a mix of regional and local topographical characteristics. It’s unlikely that Death Valley’s climate will ever change to be more mild or welcoming in the near future due to its unique location. 

Thankfully, Grand Lake, CO has beautiful weather throughout the summer. The low temperature in mid-August was uncommon enough that it made headlines! Don’t let this deter you from enjoying the great outdoors, no matter where you are!