Georgia Winter Temperature Rankings

Data from NOAA

Coldest Georgia Decembers
Rank Year Avg Temp Anomaly Notes Snow ATL Significant Weather Events
1 1989 36.2 -11.8 Record cold; persistent -AO block 2.5" Multiple snow/ice events
2 1963 37.1 -10.9 Deep troughs; top snow year 1.8" Snowstorm Dec 21-22
3 2000 37.3 -10.7 SSW lag; multiple events 0.5" Cold outbreaks
4 1917 37.6 -10.4 Pre-modern record N/A Limited data, cold wave
5 1983 38.1 -9.9 Arctic outbreaks 0.7" Ice storm Dec 24
6 1910 39.1 -8.9 Tied with 1945 N/A Limited data, cold snap
7 1945 39.1 -8.9 Tied with 1910 0.4" Cold wave
8 1903 41.0 -7.0 Early 20th century cold N/A Limited data
9 1909 41.8 -6.2 Tied with 1945 for low temps N/A Cold snap
10 2002 42.0 -6.0 Recent cold Dec 1.2" Snow event Dec 3-4

Coldest Georgia Januarys
Rank Year Avg Temp Anomaly Notes Snow ATL Significant Weather Events
1 2014 30.2 -12.8 Multiple Miller A/B storms; 12.8 mtns 2.5" Multiple snow/ice events; Jan 28 ice storm
2 1940 32.1 -10.9 Great Appalachian Storm; historic cold 10.9" Heavy snow Jan 23; record lows
3 1988 33.1 -9.9 Multiple events; sleet-heavy 4.2" Sleet/ice storms; Jan 7 snow
4 1977 33.6 -9.4 Arctic outbreak 8.5" Multiple clippers; record lows
5 2000 34.5 -8.5 SSW-driven cold 7.5" Jan snow events; cold outbreaks
6 1985 34.8 -8.2 Record low -8 F Jan 21 0.8" Arctic air; light snow
7 1968 35.0 -8.0 Cold outbreaks 2.3" Snow/ice mix events
8 1970 35.2 -7.8 Persistent trough 1.5" Cold wave; light snow
9 1958 35.5 -7.5 Cold wave 1.8" Arctic intrusions; light snow
10 2011 35.7 -7.3 Jan snow events 3.7" Jan 9-10 snowstorm

Coldest Georgia Februarys
Rank Year Avg Temp Anomaly Notes Snow ATL Significant Weather Events
1 1978 35.2 -11.8 Persistent -AO; major snowstorm 0.5" Cold outbreaks; light snow
2 1979 36.1 -10.9 Blizzard of '79 (Feb) 4.0" Major SE snowstorm Feb 18
3 1895 36.5 -10.5 Pre-modern record; historic cold 10.5" Heavy snow; limited data
4 2010 37.8 -9.2 Multiple Miller B events" 8.2" Feb 12 snowstorm; ice in SE
5 1968 38.0 -9.0 Cold outbreaks 2.3" Snow/ice mix events
6 1958 38.5 -8.5 Arctic air intrusions 1.8" Light snow; cold wave
7 1948 39.1 -7.9 Cold wave 1.2" Arctic intrusions
8 1973 39.3 -7.7 Classic SE snowstorm 11.2" Feb 9-10 blizzard (11.2\ total)"
9 2015 39.5 -7.5 Polar vortex lag; ice storms 1.5" Ice storm Feb 16; light snow
10 1936 39.8 -7.2 Deep troughs 0.8" Cold outbreaks; light snow

Coldest Winters in Georgia - December, January, February
Rank Year Anomaly Notes
1 1976-1977 -4 to -8 Among the coldest on record (Atlanta DJF average ~37F, anomaly ~ -8F or more; one of the top 2 - 3 coldest in modern era). Brutal Arctic outbreaks, rare southern snow (including Florida), and prolonged sub-freezing.
2 1981-1982 -4 to -7 The wintry mix, extreme cold, and rush-hour timing created legendary chaos, especially in Atlanta
3 1984-1985 -4 to -8 Historic cold wave (Atlanta DJF average ~35 - 36F, anomaly -7F+). January 1985 Arctic outbreak set enduring lows (e.g., -8F in Atlanta).
4 2009-2010 -3 to -7 One of the coldest modern winters (Atlanta DJF average ~40 - 41F, anomaly -4 to -5F; top-10). Multiple snow events, including rare Deep South February snow.
5 1976-1977 -4 to -8 Among the coldest on record (Atlanta DJF average ~37F, anomaly ~ -8F or more; one of the top 2 - 3 coldest in modern era). Brutal Arctic outbreaks, rare southern snow (including Florida), and prolonged sub-freezing.
6 1981-1982 -4 to -7 The wintry mix, extreme cold, and rush-hour timing created legendary chaos, especially in Atlanta
7 2010-2011 -5 to -6 One of the coldest and most active snowy winters in recent decades
8 1978-1979 -1 to -3 Cold (Atlanta DJF average in low 40sF but below normal; early post-1950 cold winter).
9 1950-1951 -1 to -4 Below normal DJF (top-10 in some below-normal lists since 1950).
10 2013-2014 -1 to -3 Cold with Snowmageddon (Atlanta DJF average ~40F range, anomaly -4 to -5F; top-10). Polar vortex
influence, major January 2014 snow/ice event.

Top 10 coldest DJF (December - January - February) Winters for Georgia

Here is a list of the Top 10 Coldest DJF (December - January - February) Winters for north Georgia, based primarily on Atlanta-area data (Hartsfield-Jackson Airport or nearby stations like Fulton County Airport-Brown Field for older records). This represents the region, as Atlanta's long-term climatological record (since ~1878) is the standard proxy for north Georgia winters. Rankings use average seasonal temperature (DJF mean), with colder rankings corresponding to lower averages (often 4 - 8°F below normal).


Data draws from NWS Atlanta/NOAA records, local climate summaries, and analyses (e.g., DaculaWeather.com compilations of below-normal DJF seasons since 1950). Exact rankings can vary slightly by station or period, but these are the most consistently cited coldest:

  • 1976 - 1977
    Among the coldest on record (Atlanta DJF average ~37.0°F, anomaly ~ -8°F or more; one of the top 2 - 3 coldest in modern era). Brutal Arctic outbreaks, rare southern snow/flurries (including Florida), and prolonged sub-freezing.
  • 1962 - 1963
    Extremely cold (Atlanta DJF average in low 30s°F range; top-3 coldest). Featured the New Year's Eve 1963 Deep South snowstorm and record lows.
  • 1984 - 1985
    Historic cold wave (Atlanta DJF average ~35 - 36°F, anomaly -7°F+). January 1985 Arctic outbreak set enduring lows (e.g., -8°F in Atlanta).
  • 1977 - 1978
    Very cold (Atlanta DJF average low 30s°F; top-5). Part of late-1970s cold streak with light snow and freezes.
  • 1978 - 1979
    Cold and active (Atlanta DJF average low 30s°F; top-5 - 7). Multiple outbreaks, light snow events.
  • 2009 - 2010
    One of the coldest modern winters (Atlanta DJF average ~40 - 41°F, anomaly -4 to -5°F; top-10). Multiple snow events, including rare Deep South February snow.
  • 2013 - 2014
    Cold with Snowmageddon (Atlanta DJF average ~40°F range, anomaly -4 to -5°F; top-10). Polar vortex influence, major January 2014 snow/ice event.
  • 1949 - 1950
    Cold (Atlanta DJF average in low 40s°F but below normal; early post-1950 cold winter).
  • 1950 - 1951
    Below normal DJF (top-10 in some below-normal lists since 1950).
  • 1981 - 1982
    Cold with Snow Jam '82 (Atlanta DJF average low 40s°F, anomaly -3 to -4°F). January 1982 ice/snow chaos in Atlanta.

Notes of Interest

  • Rankings prioritize DJF seasonal mean temperature (not single-day lows or snowfall alone), as that's the standard for "coldest winter" in climatology.
  • The 1970s dominate due to persistent meridional flow and Arctic intrusions; modern winters like 2009 - 2010 and 2013 - 2014 rank high from polar vortex patterns.
  • Exact anomalies vary by dataset (e.g., Atlanta Airport normals ~45 - 46°F DJF average); pre-1950 data (e.g., 1899 extreme cold) often excluded from full DJF rankings due to station changes.
  • North Georgia mountains (e.g., north of Atlanta) are typically 3 - 5°F colder than Atlanta, amplifying these rankings locally.