Contents
The top 10 included coldest places on earth with record low temperatures ever recorded. Among them there are both settlements and lands absolutely unsuitable for life. Russia has become the undisputed leader among countries in terms of the number of the coldest regions, since many of its villages are located in the permafrost zone.
10 Barrow
Barrow (USA) – the northernmost urban settlement in North America opens the list of the coldest places on Earth. The city is located in the permafrost region. The soil here can freeze up to 400 meters deep. The climate of Barrow is not only cold, but also dry. The winter season is considered extremely life-threatening, as severe frosts are associated with strong winds. For about three months a year, the temperature index exceeds 0 degrees, but does not rise above plus 4 degrees. Even in summer, frosts are typical here. The average annual temperature in Barrow is -12 degrees. The lowest temperature is in February and is -49°C. A feature of the city of permafrost is that the sun practically does not appear here from November to February.
9. International Falls
next american city International Falls (USA) also has the right to bear the title of the coldest place on the planet. The Americans call this locality the “Refrigerator of the Nation” for a reason: the temperature in the warmest month (July) can be 0 degrees, and in the coldest (January) they reach 49 degrees below zero.
8. Astana
Astana (Kazakhstan) ranks eighth in the list of the coldest places on the planet and second among the coldest capitals in the world. In winter, the mercury column can drop to -52 degrees. Winters here are very cold and long. The frost period begins in November and lasts until April. Summer is characterized by high temperatures, which can reach +41°C. The annual averages are 3 degrees above zero.
7. Vorkuta
City Vorkuta (Komi Republic) can bear the title of the coldest place in the world, which is located in the permafrost zone. The settlement has a subarctic climate and belongs to the regions of the Far North. Frosts are observed here for 10 months a year, and even in the summer season a slight frost is not ruled out. Due to the harsh climate of Vorkuta, growing vegetables in the open field is impossible. The average annual temperature in the city is -6 degrees. The absolute temperature minimum falls on the month of December and is -57°C. In summer, the mercury column can rise to +33 degrees.
6. Ust-Shchuger
Village Ust-Shchuger (Komi Republic) is fighting for the title of the coldest place on Earth. In 1978, a record high of 58 degrees below zero was recorded here. The average temperature of the coldest month (December) is -28 degrees, the warmest (July) is 14°C above zero. A small village with a population of 30 people was located at an altitude of 75 meters above sea level.
5. Yakutsk
Capital of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), city Yakutsk ranks fifth in the ranking of the coldest places on the planet. Severe Yakut frosts in the winter season average -40 degrees. The maximum minimum temperature here can reach 65°C below zero. Winter lasts here for six months – from early October to late April. As for the summer, for the northern city there is abnormal heat, which can reach +40°C. The average annual temperature in Yakutsk is 9 degrees below zero. This is one of the largest urban settlements located on the territory of permafrost.
4. Ismitte
former station Ismitte (Greenland) ranks fourth in the list of the coldest places on Earth. In 1930, the lowest temperature indicators were recorded here, which amounted to -65 degrees. February average temperatures are 47 degrees below zero. In July, which is considered the warmest month here, the average temperature is -12°C. The station was located on the Greenland Shield at an altitude of 3010 meters above sea level. It was here that the Greenland expedition of Alfred Wegener was sent in the 30s of the last century, in which many people suffered from frostbite. Alfred Wegener himself died of hypothermia.
3. East
Station East (Antarctica) opens the top three coldest places on planet Earth. It is here that the most difficult climatic conditions are located: low temperatures are observed throughout the year. In 1983, the station officially registered indicators – 89 degrees. The highest temperature was recorded in 1957 and amounted to 13,6 degrees below zero. This area rightfully bears the status of the “Pole of Cold”. The warmest months are December and January, when the average is -35°C. The station is located at an altitude of 3488 meters above sea level, which does not allow it to bear the title of the coldest place on earth. If the indicators are brought to sea level, then the village of Oymyakon of the Republic of Yakutia becomes the undisputed leader.
2. Verkhoyansk
City Verkhoyansk (Republic of Sakha) is the coldest place on the planet, after the village of Oymyakon. Verkhoyansk is also one of the smallest Russian cities with a population of just over 1000 people. The lowest temperatures were recorded here in 1892 and amounted to minus 68 degrees. The city bears the official status of the Pole of Cold. Winters in the city of the Republic of Sakha are long, very severe and cold. In addition, an insignificant amount of precipitation falls here, comparable to deserts. Therefore, Verkhoyansk still belongs to the cities of Russia with the driest climate. Frosts are possible even in the summer season, which lasts a very short time. The average annual temperature is 18,6 degrees.
1. Oymyakon
Village Oymyakon (Republic of Sakha) is officially recognized as the coldest place on Earth. It is one of the “Poles of Cold” on the planet. This is one of the harshest places in the world in terms of climatic indicators, where a permanent population of about 500 people lives. The village is located at an altitude of 745 m above sea level. The absolute minimum temperature here is -64 degrees, but according to some data in Oymyakon in 1938, a temperature of -78 degrees was recorded. Verkhoyansk also claimed the coldest place in the world, but according to meteorological data, the average annual temperature in Oymyakon is 0,3°C lower than in Verkhoyansk, which allows it to take the lead.