If you found yourself shivering throughout last month in the United States, you were not alone. Early data analysis indicates that the U.S. likely experienced its chilliest January average temperature since at least 2011 when records began in 1895. Across the nation, a majority of cities saw cooler-than-normal temperatures, with a notable cold anomaly extending eastward from the Rocky Mountains (source: Climate Central).
Climate Central’s preliminary report for January revealed that 166 out of 191 cities analyzed (87%) recorded temperatures below normal. Even Alaska experienced uncharacteristically cold weather, with its warmest city, Fairbanks, registering a remarkable 14.6 degrees Fahrenheit above its usual temperature. Nationally, the departure from the historical average temperature for January was calculated at minus 2.9 degrees Fahrenheit, potentially marking the coldest January since 2011, as predicted by AccuWeather meteorologists in late December. Official numbers from NOAA are expected to be released on February 10.
Preliminary data from the Southeast Regional Climate Center (SERCC), based on over 1,400 climate stations in the contiguous U.S., also confirmed a cold January, with temperatures averaging 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit below historical norms. Only northern Maine and the West Coast mountains experienced above-normal temperatures for the month.
Initial findings from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet (IEM) indicated that South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama were among the coldest states in January compared to historical averages. These states are likely to rank among their top five coldest Januarys, marking their coldest January temperatures since the 1980s.
Moreover, some stations established in the 1990s and 2000s reported record-breaking January temperatures this year, with Gainesville, Florida, standing out for recording its coldest January temperature since records began. NOAA reported that during the month, 4,630 new daily record minimum temperatures were tied or broken, along with 800 daily snowfall records.
The aftermath of a Gulf Coast blizzard in mid-January was captured in a visible satellite image, showcasing snow-covered areas over land and highlighting stations that set new one-day snowfall records. Overall, 25 stations experienced their highest 24-hour snowfall on record, while another 25 stations broke all-time low temperature records. States like Louisiana and Florida were particularly impacted by the cold spell.
Several states recently broke their all-time 24-hour snowfall records during the historic Gulf Coast snowstorm. This exceptional occurrence contrasts with the prevailing weather patterns in the United States this January, which have deviated from the past 11 months of above-normal temperatures. Remarkably, this marks the first month since January 2024 that the U.S. has observed below-normal temperatures, with mean temperatures hovering just slightly below average at minus 0.46 degrees Fahrenheit. The monthly average mean temperature anomalies from January 2024 to December 2024 were notable, but data for 2025 is not yet available as it is still in the preliminary stages.
The snowfall season that commenced in October has yielded varied results across the country. The northern Plains have experienced significantly lower than normal snowfall, while the South and southern Midwest regions have seen snowfall well above average. In contrast, coastal areas like New England and New Jersey have experienced a shortage of snow, whereas parts of the interior Northeast and mid-Atlantic have seen snowfall levels exceeding expectations.
Data from Penn State shows the percentage of seasonal snowfall from October 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025, illustrating the diverse snowfall patterns experienced across different regions of the United States during this period.
