The Ten Coldest Temperatures Ever Recorded

When you think you’ve experienced cold, chances are it doesn’t compare to the extreme chill that has gripped certain parts of the world. From frozen Siberian tundras to the high peaks of Antarctica, some regions have seen temperatures that are nothing short of bone-chilling. Let’s take a look at the ten coldest temperatures ever recorded.

Vostok Station, Antarctica (-128.6°F / -89.2°C)

The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth occurred at Vostok Station in Antarctica on July 21, 1983. This remote scientific station saw a staggering -128.6°F, making it a place where survival is nearly impossible without proper gear and shelter.

Oymyakon, Russia (-67.7°F / -55.4°C)

Oymyakon, located in Siberia, is the coldest inhabited place on Earth. On February 6, 1933, temperatures plunged to -67.7°F. Residents are accustomed to extreme cold, and the village remains one of the most frigid places people call home.

Verkhoyansk, Russia (-67.5°F / -55.3°C)

Only slightly warmer than Oymyakon, Verkhoyansk, another Siberian village, hit -67.5°F in February 1892. Both locations in Siberia are often considered the coldest places in the northern hemisphere.

Eismitte, Greenland (-64.9°F / -53.8°C)

Eismitte, located at the heart of Greenland, saw -64.9°F in 1931. Despite being milder than Siberia’s extremes, it is still considered one of the harshest climates on Earth.

North Ice, Greenland (-66.1°F / -54.5°C)

Another brutal Greenland location, North Ice recorded -66.1°F in 1954. The combination of altitude and latitude makes Greenland one of the coldest places on Earth.

Davis Station, Antarctica (-79.9°F / -62.2°C)

Davis Station, another site in Antarctica, recorded temperatures of -79.9°F in 2020. These extreme conditions are common in the Antarctic interior.

Amundsen-Scott Station, Antarctica (-73.4°F / -58.6°C)

This research station at the South Pole reached a low of -73.4°F in 2013. It is a place where the sun doesn’t rise for months, intensifying the cold even further.

McMurdo Station, Antarctica (-58.1°F / -50°C)

While it might be a bit more hospitable than other stations, McMurdo reached -58.1°F in 2010, demonstrating how even the more “populated” areas of Antarctica can be extremely inhospitable.

Snag, Canada (-63.0°F / -52.8°C)

On February 3, 1947, Snag, a small settlement in the Yukon, recorded a temperature of -63°F. This remains the coldest temperature ever recorded in North America.

Fort Selkirk, Canada (-59.4°F / -51.9°C)

In December 1947, Fort Selkirk in Canada hit -59.4°F, contributing to the region’s reputation for cold winters.

While many of us bundle up with layers of clothing at the first sign of cold weather, the extreme temperatures listed here serve as a reminder that some places are on a different level altogether. You think you’re cold? Try surviving in the freezing extremes of these locations!