Be thankful you didn't wake up in Grand Lake, Colorado this morning. During the early morning hours of March 8, 2022, it was the coldest place in the continental United States.

This happens from time to time in Colorado. It may not be the most desirable title to own, but every once in a while we have the honor of being in the coldest place in the country.

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Just How Cold Was It In Grand Lake, Colorado?

Lifeforms in Grand Lake, Colorado spent the earlier part of today enjoying a blistering -25 degrees.

This is way out of the ordinary for this location. According to the U.S. Climate Data website, the average low temperature for Grand Lake for the month of March is 13.

A Rough Week For Grand Lake, Colorado

Looking at the National Weather Service forecast for the week of March 6, 2022, it appears Grand Lake will be spending most nights in negative temperatures. The region can expect snow through Thursday, with high temperatures never getting above freezing.

This week's lows for Grand Lake, Colorado are:

  • Tuesday night: -3
  • Wednesday night: -11
  • Thursday night: - 20
  • Friday night: - 3

This Is Not Uncommon For Grand Lake, Colorado

If we look back just two years, Grand Lake, Colorado had the coldest temperature in the contiguous 48 states a total of 29 times in the year 2020. It could be worse. That same year Peter Sinks, Utah, had the lowest temperature in the contiguous United States a total of 94 times.

Sitting at 8,369 feet, Grand Lake is known as the "Western Gateway" to Rocky Mountain National Park. According to visitgrandcounty.com, Grand Lake is also known as the "Snowmobiling Capital of Colorado."

The website gograndlake.com states:

The quaint village of Grand Lake is situated on the serene shores of the largest natural lake in Colorado, beneath a crown of majestic, snow-capped mountain peaks. With the breathtaking backdrop of the wild and wondrous Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Lake, Colorado, is the ideal basecamp for outdoor adventure, family fun and memories in the making.

Grand Lake Colorado Map
Google Maps / Canva
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Just How Nasty Is -25 Degrees Fahrenheit?

Using the National Weather Service's wind chill chart, it is possible to calculate how long a person can be exposed to extreme temperatures such as this. According to the chart, at -25F, assuming winds are 5MPH or less, a person could last a total of 14 minutes before frostbite begins to set in.

It's going to be a rough ride this week for Grand Lake, Colorado. It'll be Saturday, March 12, before they spend a night with temps above zero.

Western Colorado Winters From Years Past - Bob Grant Photos

Here's a short gallery of Robert Grant photos showcasing Grand Junction and Western Colorado winters. They sure are fun. Then again, sometimes the snow and cold temperatures result in trouble.

20 of the Coldest Winter Temperatures of All Time in Colorado

Colorado is no stranger to extreme winter temperatures. Here's a look back at 20 of the coldest temperatures ever recorded in the state.

The Highest Wind Gusts Recorded Each of the Past 25 Years in Colorado

See which days have brought the strongest winds to Colorado for each of the past 25 years.

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