20 Coldest Places on Earth That Will Leave You Shivering (With Photos)

Many tourists long for warm-weather getaways, while some choose to go to cooler regions to enjoy outdoor activities and fresh air. Certain places on our earth have the power to freeze even the hottest sunlight.

So, if you are an extreme winter lover, we’ve gathered a list of the 20 coldest places on Earth. These places are popular for their extreme cold and are hardly the most popular holiday destinations. 

1.  Vostok, Antarctica

Located near the geographic South Pole, this Russian research station perched atop the Antarctic Plateau is one of the coldest places on Earth right now. At a bone-chilling -128.6°F (-89.2°C), this research outpost provides a glimpse into the severe cold circumstances that shape our planet’s polar regions.

2.  Sang, Yukon, Canada

Snag has the coldest recorded temperature in North America, making it the most freezing place on Earth. Eureka in Nunavut is Canada’s coldest place in terms of average yearly temperatures, although Snag on the Alaska-Yukon border is where the country’s coldest temperature has ever been recorded. With temperatures crashing to a bone-chilling -81.4°F (-63°C) in 1947, Snag represents the Arctic’s frosty grasp on the northern areas.

3.  Denali, Alaska, USA

Denali, originally known as Mount McKinley, is North America’s tallest mountain peak, rising more than 6000 meters above sea level. In addition, it is the coldest temperature on record for the continent. On February 7, 1933, the top had a temperature of -88.3 °C (-126.9 °F). Denali’s intense cold is caused by its high advancement and remote position in Alaska’s interior.

4.  Klinck Station, Greenland

The Arctic Circle’s Klinck weather station records the coldest places on Earth. The Northern Hemisphere’s coldest temperature was measured at Klinck station on Greenland’s ice sheet. In December 1991, the World Meteorological Organisation officially recorded the station’s temperature of -69.6°C.

5.  Dome Fuji, Antarctica

Dome Fuji, located at a height of approximately 3,810 meters (12,500 feet), has recorded some of the lowest temperatures ever observed on Earth. During winter, temperatures can drop below 90 degrees Celsius (minus 130 degrees Fahrenheit).

6.  Oymyakon, Russia

Oymyakon, located in Russia’s Sakha Republic, is the world’s coldest permanently inhabited place. Winters here are long and bitterly cold, lasting up to nine months. Summer highs hardly rise above freezing. It has fewer than 1,000 residents and is located between two valleys that trap chilly winds, intensifying the situation.

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7.  Verkhoyansk, Russia

Verkhoyansk, located adjacent to Oymyakon, is another competition for the coldest inhabited site on Earth. Compared to Oymyakon, Verkhoyansk has only a few permanent residents. The average winter temperature here is -45°C (-49°F), with the lowest recorded temperature being -69.8°C (93.6°F).

8.  Harbin, China

This Ice City is home to almost 10 million people and annually hosts ice festivals. Here, the temperature is around –23C. Witness the magnificent beauty of Harbin, a city in northeastern China known for its annual Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. Admire artistically carved ice sculptures, stroll through a frozen wonderland, and immerse yourself in the splendor of this winter wonderland.

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9.  Yellowknife, Canada

The average high temperature in Yellowknife is around -21C. This lively city on the shores of Great Slave Lake in Canada’s Northwest Territories is known for its raw beauty. From dog sledding through frozen landscapes to admiring the stunning Aurora Borealis, this northern gem has something for any winter fan.

10. Eureka, Canada

Settled on Ellesmere Island in Canada’s High Arctic, Eureka is known as the coldest place in the universe. With temperatures rising to -49°F (-45°C) in winter, this research station offers valuable insights into the cold.

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11. Northern Siberia, Russia

Northern Siberia is a vast region known for its constant freezing. The absence of sunlight over the lengthy winter months causes temperatures to plunge to dangerously low levels. Verkhoyansk and Oymyakon are only two of the many chilly locations in this region.

12. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital city, has lengthy, brutal winters with average January temperatures of -22°C (-7.6°F). The combination of low temperatures and scarce greenery can make the city feel even colder.

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13. Plateau Station, Antarctica

Plateau Station, located on the high plateau of East Antarctica, experiences some of the continent’s harshest temperatures. With mercury diving to -119.2°F (-84°C), researchers endure the intense cold to undertake critical scientific experiments in this remote arctic outpost.

14. International Falls, Minnesota

The ‘Icebox of the Nation,’ as International Falls, Minnesota, is nickna

med for its freezing winters. With temperatures below -55°F (-48.3°C), this American town on the Canadian border celebrates its chilly reputation with annual ice festivals and winter events.

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15. Yakutsk, Russia

Yakutsk’s population is about 300,000. Step inside the winter beauty of Yakutsk, the capital of Russia’s Sakha Republic. With temperatures often falling below -40°C (-40°F), this is also considered the coldest place in the universe.

16. Norilsk, Russia

This is the northernmost city in the world, with a population of about 100,000. The average temperature in January is −30.9 °C, which makes it the coldest destination. Despite its intense environment and distant position, Norilsk has a rich history and unique culture that attracts travelers worldwide.

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17. Barrow, Alaska

The coldest place in the USA is Barrow, with an average temperature of −28.6 °C. February has the lowest average temperature of −29.1 °C, making it the coldest month. Immerse yourself in the Arctic splendor of Barrow, Alaska, a frozen paradise filled with arctic fauna and beautiful scenery.

18. Eismitte, Greenland

This place is in Greenland, and the weather is intense. The coldest temperature in Eismitte was once recorded at -65C. Visit Eismitte, a barren outpost at the midway of Greenland’s ice sheet, to explore the frozen heart of the island.

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19. Winnipeg, MB

Winnipeg can surely experience brutal winters. It is one of the coldest major cities in North America, with January lows averaging approximately -20°C. In February 1966, the temperature reached -45 degrees Celsius (21).

20. Fort Selkirk, YT

Fort Selkirk also claims to have the coldest temperature ever recorded in Canada, which Snag officially holds. They claim it reached -65 degrees Celsius on February 3, 1947, but it cannot be regarded as’ official’ because the temperature was recorded outside of a proper instrument shelter.

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Final Thoughts

Living in the extreme cold in some of the world’s coldest places can be impossible for humans. While some people may not consider visiting such places as a vacation destination, others may consider them some of the best locations on Earth.

The locations listed in this blog are among the coldest places on Earth; however, there is disagreement on some of the stated record-breaking temperatures, and all these areas see some freezing subzero temperatures.