Far beyond the reach of warm winds, there exist landscapes where the Earth feels almost lifeless. Here, every breath turns to mist, the sun appears only as a pale glow, and ice stretches farther than the eye can see. These are the Coldest Places in the World- regions that test the limits of life and science alike. Hidden within their endless frost are stories of human endurance, remarkable discoveries, and temperatures so low they challenge what we thought possible on our planet. Exploring these frozen extremes isn’t just about chasing records; it’s about witnessing how the Earth behaves in its purest, most untouched form.

List of Top 10 Coldest Places in the World in 2025

Rank	Place	Location	Lowest Recorded Temperature
1	East Antarctic Plateau	Antarctica	−94°C
2	Vostok Station	Antarctica	−89.2°C
3	Dome Argus (Dome A)	Antarctica	−85°C
4	Oymyakon	Siberia, Russia	−67.7°C
5	Verkhoyansk	Siberia, Russia	−67.8°C
6	Klinck Research Station	Greenland	−89.4°C
7	Plateau Station	Antarctica	−86°C
8	North Ice	Greenland	−86.2°C
9	Denali (Mount McKinley)	Alaska, USA	−83°C
10	Snag	Yukon, Canada	−62.8°C

1. East Antarctic Plateau – Earth’s Coldest Surface

The East Antarctic Plateau is the coldest place on Earth, where satellite data recorded a surface temperature of −94°C. Situated about 3,800 meters above sea level, it is an immense desert of ice and rock, with clear skies that allow constant heat loss into space.

Key Facts

• Average winter temperature: −75°C
• Elevation: Around 12,500 feet
• Precipitation: Less than 10 mm per year
• No permanent human base or settlement

This region’s cold is so intense that frost can form from frozen carbon dioxide - something that almost never happens elsewhere on Earth.

2. Vostok Station – The Coldest Temperature Ever Recorded

At Vostok Station in Antarctica, scientists documented −89.2°C, the coldest temperature ever recorded by humans. The Russian research base is built on a glacier nearly 4 km thick, and beneath it lies Lake Vostok, sealed under ice for millions of years.

Important Data

• Record temperature: −89.2°C (1983)
• Average annual temperature: −55°C
• Altitude: 3,488 meters
• Winds: 40–60 km/h during winter

Researchers at Vostok study ancient air bubbles trapped in ice to understand Earth’s past climate - a task only possible in such extreme cold.

3. Dome Argus (Dome A) – The Roof of the Antarctic Ice Sheet

Dome Argus, also known as Dome A, is another freezing point on Earth where temperatures can drop to −85°C. Located at 4,093 meters, it’s one of the highest points on the Antarctic ice sheet and experiences almost no snowfall.

Quick Facts

• Mean annual temperature: −80°C
• Elevation: 4,093 meters
• Annual snowfall: Less than 10 mm
• Known for its exceptionally clear skies

Its stability and dry atmosphere make it ideal for astronomical research and climate observation.

4. Oymyakon – The Coldest Inhabited Place on Earth

Oymyakon, a small town in eastern Siberia, Russia, holds the record as the coldest permanently inhabited place on Earth. The temperature here once fell to −67.7°C, and winters can last up to nine months.

Despite such extreme cold, around 500 people call Oymyakon home. They rely on wood-fired stoves for heat, layer thick fur clothing, and keep vehicles running all day to prevent freezing.

Everyday Life Facts

• Average January temperature: −46°C
• Record low: −67.7°C (1933)
• Daylight in winter: 3–4 hours
• Summers can reach +30°C

This incredible contrast makes Oymyakon a rare example of how humans adapt to near-Arctic living conditions.

5. Verkhoyansk – A City of Extreme Temperature Swings

Located in Russia’s Yakutia region, Verkhoyansk has recorded temperatures as low as −67.8°C, while summers can exceed +38°C. That’s a range of over 100 degrees Celsius, the widest temperature swing ever documented on Earth.

City Details

• Population: Around 1,200
• Average winter temperature: −45°C
• Historic record: −67.8°C (1892)
• Known for: Long, dry, frigid winters

The people of Verkhoyansk live in insulated wooden houses, relying heavily on coal and firewood for heat. The city is also one of the oldest Arctic settlements, founded in 1638.

6. Klinck Research Station – Greenland’s Arctic Record

The Klinck Research Station holds the Northern Hemisphere’s coldest temperature, reaching −89.4°C. Located deep within the Greenland Ice Sheet, this station experiences near-constant winds and severe chill throughout the year.

Data Highlights

• Lowest temperature: −89.4°C
• Average winter: −70°C
• Altitude: Approximately 3,100 meters
• No permanent residents

Scientists visit Klinck to study Arctic weather systems and glacial changes caused by global temperature variations.

7. North Ice – Greenland’s Historical Cold Spot

North Ice, once a British research base, recorded a low of −86.2°C in 1954. This site was used to monitor atmospheric pressure and Arctic wind systems during the early years of polar exploration.

Fast Facts

• Built: 1952 (British expedition)
• Record low: −86.2°C
• Average annual temperature: −29°C
• Located deep within Greenland’s interior

Today, North Ice remains a benchmark for Arctic climate comparison.

8. Plateau Station, Antarctica – The Endless Winter Zone

Located on the Antarctic Plateau, Plateau Station regularly experiences temperatures below −80°C. Built for scientific study, it is one of the least hospitable places ever inhabited by humans, even for research purposes.

Quick Facts

• Temperature range: −60°C to −86°C
• No permanent inhabitants
• Research on air circulation and ice sheet dynamics

It’s called the “silent white desert” for a reason only machines survive the long, dark winters.

9. Denali, Alaska – North America’s Coldest Mountain

Standing at 6,190 meters, Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) is both the tallest and one of the coldest mountains in North America. Temperatures on its summit drop below −80°C, with wind chills equivalent to −100°C.

Mountain Facts

• Base-camp winter: −35°C average
• Summit temperature: −80°C
• Winds: Up to 150 km/h
• Oxygen level: 50% lower than sea level

Climbers must prepare extensively, as frostbite can occur within seconds.

10. Snag, Yukon – The Coldest Town in North America

In Snag, a tiny settlement in Yukon, Canada, the temperature dropped to −62.8°C in 1947 - the lowest ever recorded in North America. The town’s location in a wind-protected valley traps cold air, amplifying freezing conditions.

Snag Facts

• Population: Fewer than 100
• Record temperature: −62.8°C
• Winter average: −40°C
• Noted for: Unusual sound reflection due to dense cold air

Residents once reported hearing conversations carry across long distances during the 1947 cold spell.

Why the Coldest Places in the World Exist?

The Coldest Places in the World share three main characteristics - high elevation, low humidity, and minimal sunlight. They are usually far from oceans, which means there’s no warm air to moderate temperatures. In regions like Antarctica and Siberia, long polar nights trap freezing air near the surface, creating extreme cold pockets that break temperature records.

Key Climate Insights:

• Coldest recorded surface temperature: −94°C
• Coldest inhabited temperature: −67.8°C
• Longest winter night: 6 months in polar regions
• Average polar winter temperature: −60°C

These factors create perfect conditions for Earth’s lowest temperatures and shape the geography of cold zones around the poles.

Why These Frozen Regions Matter?

The Coldest Places in the World play a vital role in understanding Earth’s climate. Scientists use these extreme regions to study:

• Climate change and ice-core data
• Atmospheric circulation in polar areas
• Global sea-level trends
• Long-term temperature stability

A temperature increase of even 2°C in these zones could accelerate melting and reshape ocean levels worldwide. These frozen places are not just records of cold - they are indicators of our planet’s balance.

Conclusion

The Coldest Places in the World are Earth’s most extreme frontiers. From Antarctica’s icy ridges to Siberia’s frozen towns, they demonstrate nature’s power and human adaptability. These regions are more than just frigid - they’re essential for studying the planet’s climate, ice cycles, and atmosphere. Understanding them helps us protect the Earth’s future, reminding us that even in the coldest corners of the world, life finds a way to endure.

FAQs: Coldest Places in the World

Q1: What is the coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth?

A: The coldest recorded surface temperature is −94°C in the East Antarctic Plateau.

Q2: Which place is the coldest where people live?

A: Oymyakon, Russia, holds that record with −67.7°C.

Q3: Why does Antarctica get colder than the Arctic?

A: Antarctica is higher, drier, and farther from any ocean warmth.

Q4: What is the coldest temperature in North America?

A: Snag, Yukon, Canada, recorded −62.8°C in 1947.

Q5: Can humans survive at −90°C?

A: Only temporarily with insulated gear and heated shelters; long-term survival is not possible.