39 Degrees? Colorado Was the Coldest Place in America this Week

You probably won't believe this, but even with the scorching record temps, Colorado was the coldest place in the contiguous United States on Monday, July 24, 2023.

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At noon Monday, July 24, the National Weather Service reported the temperature in Fort Collins, Colorado, was a toasty 99 degrees. Yet, somehow, the Centennial State was the coolest place in the nation. How can that be?

Colorado - The Coolest Place In The Country

In this case, the town of Walden, Colorado, recorded the lowest temperature in the contiguous United States during the early morning hours on Monday. This in no way implies Colorado was a cool and cozy place to be throughout the day. Most communities reported temperatures in the upper 90s and low 100s on Monday.

Welcome To The Coolest Place In The U.S.

Welcome to Walden, Colorado, the community that recorded a cool 39-degree temperature during the morning hours of Monday, July 24, 2023. That's certainly preferable to Stovepipe Wells, California, the community that recorded the highest temperature in the country for Monday at an unimaginable 124 degrees.

The Scoop On Walden, Colorado

Walden, the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Jackson County, Colorado, is home to a population of 606 people, according to the 2020 census.

The Climate In Walden, Colorado

The town of Walden, all 0.3 square miles of it, is described as bordering on a subalpine climate. According to Kiddle, frost can occur year-round in Walden, although there is a "frost-free" period averaging 42 days per year.

Other Cool Places For The Summer of 2023

A location 35 miles west-southwest of Choteau, Montana, had a low temperature of 32 on Sunday, July 23, 2023. Good ol' reliable Peter Sinks, Utah, a place recording the lowest temperature in the contiguous United States more often than not, was a chilly 33 degrees on Saturday, July 22, 2023.

The Rest Of Us

For what it's worth, Grand Junction, Colorado, is looking at a high of 102 for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and even Friday, July 25 through 28. Fort Collins' nighttime temps are expected to range from 61 to 64 degrees.

Can Walden Do It Again?

It's not looking good. If I were a gambler, I would say, "No bet." Looking at the National Weather Service predictions for Walden for the remainder of the week, July 25 through 28, it looks as though they won't come close to matching Monday's low temperature. Walden is looking at daytime highs in the lower 80s and nighttime temperatures in the mid-40s.