Certainly, I’ll update the information about Edmonton with the latest record:
While most of us seek warmth and sunshine, there are some places on Earth where the cold is so extreme it challenges the limits of human endurance.
From icy deserts to frozen tundras, these are the coldest places on Earth where temperatures plummet to unimaginable lows. Let’s take a frosty journey through these chilling destinations.
1. Antarctica: East Antarctic Plateau
Record Low Temperature: -128.6°F (-89.2°C)
Antarctica, the southernmost continent, is home to the East Antarctic Plateau, the coldest place on Earth. This icy desert holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded on the planet, a bone-chilling -128.6°F (-89.2°C) at the Soviet Union’s Vostok Station in 1983. The plateau’s high elevation, clear skies, and dry air contribute to its extreme cold. Even during the summer months, temperatures rarely rise above -20°F (-29°C).
2. Russia: Oymyakon
Record Low Temperature: -96.2°F (-71.2°C)
Oymyakon, a small village in the Sakha Republic of Russia, is one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth. In 1933, the temperature dropped to an astonishing -96.2°F (-71.2°C). Winters in Oymyakon are brutally long, with temperatures often remaining below freezing from October to April. Despite the extreme cold, the village is home to around 500 residents who have adapted to the harsh climate.
3. Russia: Verkhoyansk
Record Low Temperature: -89.8°F (-67.8°C)
Verkhoyansk, another Siberian town, rivals Oymyakon for the title of the coldest inhabited place. It recorded a temperature of -89.8°F (-67.8°C) in 1892. Verkhoyansk experiences an extreme subarctic climate with incredibly cold winters and surprisingly warm summers. The town’s location within the Arctic Circle contributes to its severe temperature fluctuations.
4. Greenland: Summit Station
Record Low Temperature: -86.8°F (-66°C)
Summit Station, located on the Greenland Ice Sheet, is one of the coldest places outside Antarctica. This remote research station sits at an elevation of 10,551 feet (3,216 meters) and experiences year-round freezing temperatures. In February 2016, the station recorded a temperature of -86.8°F (-66°C). The ice sheet’s high altitude and isolation contribute to its extreme cold.
5. Canada: Snag, Yukon
Record Low Temperature: -81.4°F (-63°C)
Snag, a small village in the Yukon Territory of Canada, holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in North America. In February 1947, the temperature plummeted to -81.4°F (-63°C). Located in a valley, Snag experiences long, harsh winters with limited daylight and frigid temperatures.
6. United States: Prospect Creek, Alaska
Record Low Temperature: -80°F (-62.2°C)
Prospect Creek, located in central Alaska, recorded the lowest temperature ever in the United States at -80°F (-62.2°C) in January 1971. This former mining camp and pipeline construction site experiences extreme cold during the winter months. The area’s remote location and harsh climate make it one of the coldest places in North America.
7. Kazakhstan: Esik
Record Low Temperature: -69.6°F (-56.5°C)
Esik, a town in southeastern Kazakhstan, recorded its coldest temperature of -69.6°F (-56.5°C) in January 1931. The town is located in the foothills of the Tian Shan mountains, contributing to its frigid winter temperatures. Esik’s cold climate is typical of the region, with long, icy winters and relatively mild summers.
8. Norway: Karasjok
Record Low Temperature: -60.2°F (-51.2°C)
Karasjok, a small town in northern Norway, is one of the coldest places in Europe. It recorded a temperature of -60.2°F (-51.2°C) in January 1999. Located within the Arctic Circle, Karasjok experiences long, dark winters and short, cool summers. The town is home to the indigenous Sami people, who have adapted to the harsh climate.
9. Sweden: Vuoggatjålme
Record Low Temperature: -60.5°F (-51.4°C)
Vuoggatjålme, a village in northern Sweden, recorded the country’s lowest temperature of -60.5°F (-51.4°C) in February 1966. Located near the Arctic Circle, the village experiences extremely cold winters with prolonged periods of darkness. Vuoggatjålme’s frigid climate is characteristic of Sweden’s Lapland region.
10. Finland: Kittilä
Record Low Temperature: -60.7°F (-51.5°C)
Kittilä, a municipality in Finnish Lapland, holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in Finland at -60.7°F (-51.5°C) in January 1999. The area experiences long, cold winters with heavy snowfall and short, mild summers. Kittilä is also known for its ski resorts and winter tourism.
11. Mongolia: Tsetsen Uul
Record Low Temperature: -65.7°F (-54.3°C)
Tsetsen Uul, a district in western Mongolia, recorded a temperature of -65.7°F (-54.3°C) in December 1976. The region experiences a harsh continental climate with extremely cold winters and hot summers. Tsetsen Uul’s remote location and high altitude contribute to its frigid temperatures.
12. China: Mohe
Record Low Temperature: -62.1°F (-52.3°C)
Mohe, a city in northeastern China, is known for its extreme cold. It recorded a temperature of -62.1°F (-52.3°C) in February 1969. Located near the Russian border, Mohe experiences long, harsh winters with temperatures frequently dropping below -40°F (-40°C). The city is also famous for its stunning views of the Northern Lights.
13. Canada: Edmonton, Alberta
Record Low Temperature: -50.6°F (-45.9°C)
Edmonton, the capital city of Alberta, Canada, experienced record-breaking cold temperatures in January 2024. On January 19, the temperature at Edmonton International Airport dropped to -50.6°F (-45.9°C), breaking previous records. The city experiences long, cold winters with temperatures frequently dropping below freezing, making it one of the coldest major cities in Canada.
14. Estonia: Jõgeva
Record Low Temperature: -43.6°F (-42°C)
Jõgeva, a town in central Estonia, holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in the country at -43.6°F (-42°C) in January 1940. The town experiences cold winters with heavy snowfall and relatively mild summers. Jõgeva’s climate is influenced by its proximity to the Baltic Sea.
15. Switzerland: La Brévine
Record Low Temperature: -41.8°F (-41°C)
La Brévine, a village in Switzerland’s Jura Mountains, is known as the “Siberia of Switzerland” for its cold winters. It recorded the country’s lowest temperature of -41.8°F (-41°C) in January 1987. The village’s high elevation and location in a valley contribute to its frigid winter temperatures.
Coldest Places on Earth Summary
From the icy deserts of Antarctica to the frozen tundras of Siberia and the coldest regions of North America and Europe, these destinations challenge our understanding of extreme weather. These regions, with their bone-chilling temperatures, offer unique landscapes and experiences for those brave enough to explore them.
Whether you’re a scientist conducting research or an adventurer seeking the thrill of the cold, these destinations provide a glimpse into the planet’s most frigid environments. So bundle up, and prepare for a journey to the coldest corners of the Earth.
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