The 10 Coldest Places in Arizona Are Shockingly Frigid

When you think of Arizona, you may not imagine a chilly environment. Although the desert can get scorchingly toasty, the winter season and evenings can bring a cold front to the Grand Canyon State. We’ve scoured the web to find the coldest places in Arizona. Grab your jacket, hat, and gloves, and join us on this adventure!

1. Hawley Lake

Starting us off is the coldest region in the entire state of Arizona. One reason Hawley Lake is so cold is due to the high amounts of precipitation this region gets. Hawley Lake receives roughly 168 inches of snow annually.

Throughout the year this region with a population of around 1,100 people sees average yearly highs in the upper 50s and lows in the mid-20s.

2. Greer

With just 58 residents, Greer, AZ is another chilly location in the Copper State. Although the summers can be mild, the winters can get quite cold. Because Greer sits at an elevation of 8,356 feet, the annual 90 inches of snow is no surprise.

The average yearly high sits around 58 degrees, while the yearly low is about 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Alpine

You won’t see too many days that are over 80 degrees in Alpine, AZ. This small town on the eastern border of the state has around 146 people who call at home. Alpine sits at an elevation of just over 8,000 feet, which is one reason even the summers can be cold here.

61 degrees is the median annual high and 27 degrees is the yearly low in Alpine.

4. Flagstaff

One of the most popular cities in Arizona is Flagstaff. This is one of the coldest places in the state with average summer lows in the mid-40s. Tucson weather is relatively comparable to Flagstaff when it comes to large cities in Arizona.

Winter here lasts from October to April and Flagstaff often gets 100 inches of snow or more. The town has a population of roughly 77,000 people who delight in balmy yearly highs around 61 degrees and lows hovering at 32 degrees.

5. Heber-Overgaard

Another one of the coldest places in Arizona is Heber-Overgaard. The summers can be enjoyable here, as the temperatures rarely rise above 83 degrees. During the winter season, the 2,900 residents experience highs around 50 degrees.

Heber-Overgaard sees about 40 inches of snowfall each winter. The average high for this region is 65 degrees and the average low is 33 degrees.

6. Show Low

Another frigid place in Arizona is Show Low. This is a remote spot and the climate can range quite a bit. The population here is 11,732 and the residents enjoy an elevation of 6,345 feet. Show Low has an average yearly high of 67 degrees but compliments the median annual low of 40 degrees.

7. Snowflake

With a name like Snowflake, you bet this Arizona town makes it on our list of the coldest places in the state! Snowflake has yearly highs around 70 degrees and lows in the mid-30s. It sits at an elevation of 8,356 feet.

Despite the high elevation, the 6,104 people who call Snowflake, AZ home get to experience all four seasons throughout the year.

8. Prescott

Prescott, AZ is an incredibly beautiful place. It’s within the Bradshaw Mountains, providing scenic views everywhere you turn. Prescott is home to more than 45,000 people. It makes many lists online as one of the best places to live in the state.

At an elevation of 5,400 feet, this area has an enjoyable yearly high of 70 degrees, with average lows around 40.

9. Payson

Next, the town of Payson makes the cut for one of the coldest places in Arizona. It is located nearly directly in the center of the Grand Canyon State at an elevation of 5,000 feet. With median yearly temperatures ranging from 73 to 39 degrees, the 16,351 residents love the seasonal environment.

Payson, AZ receives around 23 inches of snow each year with winter lasting from the end of November through April.

10. Sierra Vista

Lastly, on the base of the Huachuca Mountains, the Sierra Vista is another chilly location in Arizona. While it doesn’t get quite as cold as Hawley Lake, it’s still notable for this region of the nation.

Sierra Vista is home to about 45,309 people who experience yearly highs averaging around 77 degrees. At an elevation of 4,633 feet, the annual low is just 50 degrees. This is an enjoyable location to visit or live in and is just 30 miles from the border of Mexico!

Summary of the Coldest Places in Arizona

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Md Esharuzzaman Emu