Winter is coming. And depending on where you live, you may be bracing for months of bad weather.
Thrillist recently ranked all 50 states by how miserable the winters are, factoring in weather, winter activities and just "general malaise experienced by residents" to determine which states are the worst between December and March.
Naturally, Hawaii fares well on the list, earning the 50th spot as the "least worst" spot to spend winter in. Florida, Arizona and California are all next, followed by Colorado, New Mexico, Louisiana (New Orleans' Mardi Gras celebrations in early March really help out the state's ranking), Nevada, Georgia and Alabama.
In the middle of the list, Vermont sits proudly at 25. Yes, winter is brutal, but it can also be idyllic. Vermont can also be a pretty place to visit and is in proximity to many more higher-ranking states.
Perhaps surprisingly, Alaska ranks thirteenth on the list, despite the lack of daylight in most of the state. Alaskans are used to the dark and cold, and activities like watching the Aurora Borealis at night or mushing through the snow help pass the time.
The worst 10 states on the list: Ohio, Illinois, Maine, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Michigan, Minnesota, and finally, North Dakota takes the crown as the most miserable wintertime state. It's consistently the coldest of any state in the lower 48, it's windy, it's chilly and it doesn't have the attractions of big cities like Chicago, Milwaukee or Minneapolis to help pass the time.
If you're looking to stay cozy this season, it may be best to avoid the middle of the country.