January in Idaho separates the brave from the practical.
Some towns here experience cold that feels like a personal attack.
These aren’t just chilly mornings where you need an extra sweater.
We’re discussing temperatures where your nose hairs freeze instantly.
The kind of cold that makes penguins reconsider their life choices.
Idaho’s coldest towns prove that Mother Nature has a wicked sense of humor and a freezer the size of Montana.
1. Stanley, Idaho
Stanley sits in a valley at 6,200 feet elevation.
Cold air from the mountains drops down and gets trapped.
This creates some of the coldest temperatures in the lower 48 states.
The town averages 290 days below freezing each year.
January highs reach just 26 degrees with lows plunging to minus 3 degrees.
In 1981, Stanley recorded minus 54 degrees.
Between 1995 and 2005, Stanley had the nation’s lowest temperature on 398 days.
Why It’s On This List: Stanley experiences brutal cold because it sits in a bowl surrounded by the Sawtooth, Boulder, and White Cloud Mountains where frigid air settles and stays trapped all winter long.
2. Island Park, Idaho
Island Park holds the record for Idaho’s lowest average annual temperature at just 24 degrees.
This small town near Yellowstone National Park sits at high elevation.
January temperatures average 27 degrees for highs and 6 degrees for lows.
The record low hit minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Winter brings heavy snowfall along with extreme cold.
Geographic location and surrounding mountains create perfect conditions for arctic temperatures.
But here’s the deal: the cold air masses from the mountains have nowhere to go.
Winter Weather Reality: Island Park is surrounded by Caribou-Targhee National Forest at high elevation, making it one of the snowiest and coldest spots in Idaho with temperatures regularly dropping well below zero.
3. Tetonia, Idaho
Tetonia is a tiny town with just over 300 residents.
In 1933, this community recorded minus 57 degrees Fahrenheit.
January brings freezing conditions that rival Alaska.
The town sits in eastern Idaho where cold snaps are common.
Mountain valleys trap cold air for days at a time.
Residents bundle up for months of below-zero weather.
That’s why locals take winter seriously here.
Extreme Cold Alert: Tetonia’s record-breaking minus 57 degrees puts it among the coldest recorded temperatures ever in Idaho, making January especially dangerous for anyone unprepared for extreme winter conditions.
4. Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho
This volcanic landscape becomes a frozen wasteland in January.
Average highs reach only 25 degrees with lows of 7 degrees.
The open terrain offers no protection from wind.
Cold air sweeps across the lava fields without barriers.
Temperatures feel even colder due to constant wind chill.
Winter visitors face harsh conditions on the exposed volcanic rock.
You’re better off visiting during warmer months when hiking is actually enjoyable.
Why It’s On This List: The monument’s exposed volcanic terrain at 5,900 feet elevation provides zero shelter from brutal winter winds, making the already frigid January temperatures feel even more dangerous.
5. McCall, Idaho
McCall receives over 200 inches of snow annually.
January temperatures average 31 degrees high and 13 degrees low.
This mountain town sits at 5,000 feet.
The coldest month brings average lows around 4 degrees.
Winter storms dump heavy snow throughout January.
Roads become treacherous and visibility drops during snowstorms.
Mountains protect the town from even colder air, but it’s still frigid.
Winter Challenge: McCall’s combination of extreme snowfall and freezing temperatures in January makes travel difficult and dangerous, with many roads becoming impassable during heavy winter storms.
6. Ketchum, Idaho
Ketchum averages 31 degrees for January highs and just 8 degrees for lows.
This Sun Valley area town sits in central Idaho’s mountains.
January brings consistent below-freezing temperatures day and night.
The area is known for ski resorts but the cold is extreme.
Wind chill makes outdoor activities challenging.
Even short trips outside require serious winter gear.
Frostbite risk is real when temperatures stay in single digits.
Cold Weather Warning: Ketchum’s January low temperatures averaging 8 degrees mean residents and visitors face nearly a month of single-digit and below-zero conditions, requiring constant vigilance against frostbite and hypothermia.
7. Salmon, Idaho
Salmon sits in central Idaho’s high country.
January temperatures reach 28 degrees high and 11 degrees low.
The town experiences long stretches of sub-zero nights.
Cold air from the surrounding mountains settles in the valley.
Winter storms bring snow and plummeting temperatures together.
Roads ice over quickly when temperatures drop at night.
Valley Cold Trap: Salmon’s location in a mountain valley creates a cold air sink where frigid temperatures settle and linger for days, making January one of the most challenging months for residents.
8. Driggs, Idaho
Driggs sits in eastern Idaho near the Wyoming border.
January averages 33 degrees for highs and 9 degrees for lows.
The town faces bitter cold from arctic air masses.
Nighttime temperatures regularly drop to zero or below.
Snow accumulation adds to winter challenges.
The area is beautiful but the cold is relentless.
Why It’s On This List: Driggs experiences some of the coldest nighttime temperatures in Idaho during January, with lows frequently in the single digits and below zero throughout the month.
9. Idaho City, Idaho
This historic mining town sits at high elevation in southwestern Idaho.
January brings average highs of 35 degrees and lows of 14 degrees.
The mountain setting creates harsh winter conditions.
Cold snaps can last for weeks.
Snow and ice make the steep mountain roads dangerous.
Old buildings struggle to stay warm in the extreme cold.
Mountain Cold: Idaho City’s elevation and mountain location mean January temperatures stay below freezing most of the time, with cold air trapped in the surrounding canyons and valleys.
10. Saint Anthony, Idaho
Saint Anthony sits in eastern Idaho’s farm country.
January temperatures average 28 degrees high and 12 degrees low.
The flat terrain offers no wind protection.
Cold canadian air sweeps down from the north.
Windchill makes the already cold temperatures feel brutal.
Livestock requires extra care during January’s deep freeze.
Residents face weeks of sub-freezing weather without relief.
Agricultural Challenge: Saint Anthony’s exposed location on the Snake River Plain means arctic winds blow unobstructed across the region, making January farming operations extremely difficult and dangerous for both people and animals.
11. Pocatello, Idaho
Pocatello sits in southeastern Idaho along the Portneuf River.
January temperatures range from 31 to 33 degrees for highs.
Nighttime lows average around 21 degrees below freezing.
The city experiences frequent temperature inversions that trap cold air.
Winter storms bring snow and ice to this college town.
Wind funnels through the valley making conditions feel colder.
Mountains on both sides create a natural cold air corridor.
Temperature Inversion Zone: Pocatello’s valley location causes cold air to settle and become trapped by surrounding mountains, leading to prolonged periods of below-freezing temperatures throughout January.
12. Rexburg, Idaho
Rexburg experiences some of Idaho’s most brutal January weather.
Average highs reach only 27 to 28 degrees with lows around 10 to 13 degrees.
The coldest day typically drops to minus 13 degrees.
This college town sits on the Snake River Plain where cold air settles.
Students face freezing walks across campus all month long.
Wind makes the already frigid temperatures feel even worse.
Extreme Cold Challenge: Rexburg’s January temperatures rarely climb above freezing even during the day, with nighttime lows regularly in the single digits creating dangerous conditions for outdoor activities.
13. Soda Springs, Idaho
Soda Springs averages 30 degrees for January highs and 14 degrees for lows.
This southeastern Idaho town experiences long cold snaps.
Temperatures stay below freezing most of the month.
The area receives heavy snowfall on top of bitter cold.
Livestock and wildlife struggle in the harsh conditions.
Residents prepare for weeks of unrelenting winter weather.
Why It’s On This List: Soda Springs combines persistent below-freezing temperatures with heavy winter precipitation, creating challenging conditions where snow accumulates while temperatures remain dangerously cold.
14. Challis, Idaho
Challis sits in central Idaho’s high country along the Salmon River.
January brings average highs of 27 to 32 degrees and lows of 7 degrees.
Single-digit nighttime temperatures are standard all month.
The town is surrounded by mountains that channel cold air.
Cloud cover blocks the sun about 55 percent of the time.
Limited daylight and persistent cold make January brutal here.
Mountain Valley Cold: Challis experiences severe January cold with nighttime temperatures averaging 7 degrees, putting residents at constant risk of frozen pipes and vehicle problems throughout the month.
15. Ashton, Idaho
Ashton sits near the Wyoming border in eastern Idaho.
January temperatures hover around 27 degrees for highs and 12 degrees for lows.
The town serves as a gateway to winter recreation areas.
But here’s the catch: the cold makes outdoor activities dangerous.
Arctic air masses regularly sweep through the region.
Snow depth builds throughout January as temperatures stay frozen.
Wind chill adds another layer of danger for travelers.
Gateway to Extreme Cold: Ashton’s proximity to Yellowstone and high mountain passes means it receives the full force of arctic weather systems moving south, creating some of the coldest conditions in eastern Idaho.
16. Preston, Idaho
Preston is located in southeastern Idaho’s Cache Valley.
January averages 34 degrees for highs and 15 degrees for lows.
The valley traps cold air for extended periods.
Temperature inversions create thick fog and freezing conditions.
Roads ice over quickly when temperatures drop at night.
The community deals with weeks of gray skies and cold.
Valley Fog and Freeze: Preston’s location in Cache Valley creates persistent temperature inversions where cold air and fog settle in the valley bottom, sometimes keeping temperatures below freezing for days without relief.
17. Arco, Idaho
Arco is known as the first city powered by nuclear energy.
January temperatures average 29 degrees for highs and 8 degrees for lows.
This high desert town faces harsh winter conditions.
Single-digit lows are common throughout the month.
The open landscape offers no shelter from arctic winds.
Historic buildings struggle with heating costs in extreme cold.
High Desert Freeze: Arco’s location in the high desert means it combines the worst of both worlds – desert temperature extremes with mountain elevation cold, resulting in brutal January conditions.
18. Dubois, Idaho
Dubois sits in eastern Idaho near the Continental Divide.
January brings average highs of 29 degrees and lows of 5 degrees.
Temperatures regularly plunge below zero at night.
The town is exposed to arctic air from Canada.
Wind makes the already dangerous cold feel life-threatening.
Residents take extreme weather preparedness seriously here.
That’s why emergency kits are standard in every vehicle.
Below-Zero Reality: Dubois experiences some of Idaho’s lowest January temperatures with average lows of just 5 degrees, meaning many nights drop well below zero and create serious risks for anyone caught unprepared.
19. Cascade, Idaho
Cascade sits along the shore of Cascade Reservoir.
January averages 32 degrees for highs and 17 degrees for lows.
Water from the reservoir adds moisture to the cold air.
This creates heavy snowfall and freezing conditions together.
The lake effect intensifies winter storms.
Roads around the reservoir become treacherous with ice.
Lake Effect Cold: Cascade’s location next to a large reservoir means it experiences enhanced winter weather with lake-effect snow adding to the already cold January temperatures.
20. Mackay, Idaho
Mackay sits in a valley surrounded by the Lost River Range.
January temperatures average 30 degrees high and 11 degrees low.
Cold air drains from surrounding peaks into the valley.
The town experiences prolonged cold spells without warming.
Mount Borah, Idaho’s highest peak, towers nearby.
Cold air from the high mountains settles in town all winter.
Peak Cold Drainage: Mackay sits at the base of Idaho’s tallest mountain, where frigid air continuously flows downhill from snow-covered peaks, keeping the valley in a persistent deep freeze throughout January.
21. Shoshone, Idaho
Shoshone is located in south-central Idaho’s high desert.
January averages 33 degrees for highs and 13 degrees for lows.
The town sits at an elevation of over 4,000 feet.
Desert nights bring rapid temperature drops after sunset.
Cold air settles on the flat terrain with nowhere to escape.
You’re better off planning travel through this area for the warmer months.
Winter storms sweep across the open landscape without warning.
Why It’s On This List: Shoshone’s high desert location means it experiences rapid temperature swings and persistent below-freezing nights throughout January, with no geographic features to provide shelter from harsh winter conditions.