state with worst winter
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Hate the Cold? Stay Out of These Top 5 Worst Winter States Until Spring

I hate winter. Like, I absolutely loathe it. Cold weather sucks. Shoveling is a huge pain, and black ice: does anyone enjoy randomly slipping and falling and cracking their hip bone against cold concrete? (Yeah, me neither.)

If I had things my way, I would live in a tropical climate. Somewhere warm and wet and with beautiful blue waters.

Unfortunately, my husband’s job keeps us firmly planted in the Northeast. The good news — at least for me — is that it could be worse. Much worse. In fact, according to a Thrillist article, my winters aren’t that bad: New York came in at a comfortable 20.

state with worst winter

But what states have the worst I-hate-my-life weather and I-can’t-feel-my-ass-inducing temperatures?

5. Maine

Maine is the northernmost state on the East Coast, and it is situated along the coast, making it one of the coldest states in America.

4. North Dakota

Since most of North Dakota is actually situated north of Maine (albeit inland), it is no surprise the Peace Garden State — or Roughride State — took the number four spot.

3. Alaska

Three words: long, sunless days.

2. Michigan

According to Kevin Alexander and Matt Lynch, “Winter in Michigan begins well before Thanksgiving and stretches far past Easter, which makes for four-to-six wearisome months of always-gray, always-cold, always-drizzly, but-rarely-snowy-in-a-good-way misery.” Nope, nope, and nope.

1. Minnesota

Thanks to its geographical location, strange weather patterns, and 170-plus inches of snow, Minnesota is, without a doubt, the state with the “most miserable winter.” Congratulations, y’all.

And if you’re wondering how Thrillist arrived at these results, don’t worry; the study was very scientific:

As two people who grew up in the Midwest and New England, Matt and I have both experienced the personal hell that is winter’s awkwardly long, frigid embrace, but we had yet to figure out which, amongst all of the 50 states, could hold up the title as the state with the worst winter. And so began an intense period of research and debate, factoring in everything from weather patterns, average temperatures, and how effective and quickly their department of transportation clears highways, to interviews with locals and the historical success rates of their winter-season sports teams.

For the entire list, or to see how your state stacks up, visit Thrillist Travel.