Discover the 6 Coldest Places in Iowa

Winters are so stunning in the United States. Some states get winter wonderlands and others get fun in the sun-type winters. While some Californians and Floridians enjoy time at the beach in December, there are people in North Dakota or Iowa bundling up because of the cold. Some places in Iowa are so cold that you will be frozen stiff. Let’s take a look at the six coldest places in Iowa that will chill you to the bone.

Dubuque

The coldest place in the state of Iowa is none other than Dubuque. Located in northcentral Iowa, Dubuque has a population of about 59,000. As the state’s oldest city, it sits next to the Mississippi River and it was named after its founder, settler Julian Dubuque. Because the city has a humid subcontinental type of climate, it experienced four distinct seasons. The average temperature year-round is 47 degrees, which means that winters are rough in Dubuque. During the winter, the average temperature ranges from 18 to 24 degrees. The lowest recorded temperature in Dubuque was -31 on January 31, 2019. When it comes to snowfall, the city gets 42 inches of snow, on average.

Des Moines

The capital city of Iowa is located in the center of the state, making it easy for others to get there from other areas surrounding Des Moines. The capital city is also one of the coldest cities in Iowa. In recent years, the city of over 200,000 people, has experienced rough winters where temperatures get colder than some more famously colder cities like Moscow or even Anchorage. Winters can get below zero frequently, with the average temperatures getting to 22 and 27 degrees. The coldest month in the year is January where its record low temperature has been -30 degrees. In terms of snowfall, Des Moines averages 36 inches each year.

Sioux City

With a population of 85,000, Sioux City is one of the coldest places in the state. It’s located by the Missouri River in the northwestern part of Iowa. Because Sioux City has a humid subcontinental type of climate, the summers are warm, but the winters are intense. The average temperatures during winter are between 20 and 24 degrees, with the coldest month being January. The lowest recorded temperature, however, came on January 12, 1912, with a whopping -35 degrees. It also snows a lot in Sioux City, with an average of 36 inches of snow every year.

Elkader

The town of Elkader should not be missing from this list because it holds the record for having one of the lowest temperatures in the state of Iowa. With a whopping -44 degrees on February 3, 1996, Elkader townspeople experienced something they had never seen before. Elkader is a town of just 1,200 people, but they are united in ensuring winters are toasty and filled with camaraderie. The average temperatures in Elkader range from 27 to 32 degrees during the day and 6 to 13 degrees at night.

Waterloo

Waterloo isn’t just a song by ABBA or a famous battle that Napoleon fought in, it’s also a city in Iowa. With a population of 67,000, Waterloo is the eighth-most populous city in Iowa. It’s also one of the coldest cities in the state. The lowest recorded temperature in Waterloo occurred on both March 1, 1962, and January 16, 2009, with an astonishing -34 degrees. The average temperatures in winter, however, range from 19 to 25 degrees. In terms of snowfall, the city sees 39 inches of snow, on average.

Washta

If you think Elkader’s temperature was scary, Washta’s lowest recorded temperature is even worse. On January 12, 1912, the town of Washta experienced -47 degree weather. It’s the coldest temperature ever in the state, too. That’s why its nickname is “The Coldest Spot in Iowa.” The town has a population of 200 people and was founded around 1868.

Conclusion

And there you have it, these are the six coldest places in Iowa that will chill you to the bone. These places are known as some of the coldest in the country. Temperatures are close to freezing and you will need more than a jacket to keep you warm. Of course, the locals living in these areas are used to it. If you ever visit, be prepared. Bring thick jackets and extra layers, and do all that you can to make your stay in these six cold places in Iowa as warm as possible.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/DarcyMaulsby