Top-10 Coldest Places on the Earth

Top 10 Coldest Places on the Earth and India 2025, Check in details

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Our planet is home to some extreme climates, and among the most fascinating are the coldest places on Earth. These frigid regions, where temperatures plunge well below freezing, offer a glimpse into the raw power of nature. From remote villages in Siberia to icy plateaus in Antarctica, these locations experience bone-chilling conditions that test the limits of human survival and scientific exploration. While most of us bundle up at the mere thought of sub-zero temperatures, there are places on Earth where the mercury routinely drops to terrifying lows of -50°C (-58°F) and beyond.

These icy corners of the world are often isolated and sparsely populated, yet they attract scientists, explorers, and even tourists seeking unique, otherworldly experiences. The coldest places are not just defined by low temperatures; they are shaped by geography, altitude, and atmospheric conditions that contribute to their extreme climate. In this article, we take you on a journey through the Top 10 Coldest Places on Earth — destinations where winter never truly ends and the landscape is locked in frost. Whether nestled in the vast expanse of the Arctic or perched high on icy mountain ranges, these places redefine what it means to be cold.

Top 10 Coldest Places on Earth

Detailed list of the Top 10 Coldest Places on Earth, based on recorded temperatures and average annual conditions:

1. Vostok Station, Antarctica

  • Lowest Recorded Temperature: −89.2°C (−128.6°F) on July 21, 1983

  • Location: Central East Antarctica

  • Details: This Russian research station is located near the Southern Pole of Cold. It holds the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth. The station is isolated and experiences katabatic winds and whiteouts regularly.

2. Dome Fuji, Antarctica

  • Lowest Recorded Temperature: ~−82.5°C (−116.5°F)

  • Location: East Antarctic Ice Sheet

  • Details: Dome Fuji is one of the highest points on the ice sheet and has some of the driest and coldest conditions on Earth. It is used for ice core drilling and climate research.

3. Dome Argus (Dome A), Antarctica

  • Lowest Recorded Satellite Temperature: −82.8°C (−117°F) (unofficial)

  • Location: East Antarctica Plateau

  • Details: Though uninhabited, satellite data suggests it’s one of the coldest naturally occurring places. The extreme altitude and dryness contribute to intense cold.

4. Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica

  • Lowest Recorded Temperature: −82.8°C (−117°F)

  • Location: Geographic South Pole

  • Details: Operated by the U.S., this station experiences 6 months of daylight followed by 6 months of darkness. The average temperature during winter hovers around −60°C.

5. Oymyakon, Russia

  • Lowest Recorded Temperature: −67.7°C (−89.9°F)

  • Location: Sakha Republic, Siberia

  • Details: Known as the coldest inhabited place on Earth. The town has around 500 residents and endures brutal winters with frequent power issues due to freezing conditions.

6. Verkhoyansk, Russia

  • Lowest Recorded Temperature: −67.6°C (−89.7°F)

  • Location: Sakha Republic, Russia

  • Details: Along with Oymyakon, it shares the record for lowest temperature in the Northern Hemisphere. Interestingly, it has one of the largest temperature ranges on Earth (−68°C to +37°C).

7. North Ice, Greenland

  • Lowest Recorded Temperature: −66.1°C (−87°F)

  • Location: Greenland Ice Sheet

  • Details: This was a British research station during the 1950s. It recorded the lowest known temperature in the Western Hemisphere.

8. Klinck Research Station, Greenland

  • Lowest Recorded Temperature: −69.6°C (−93.3°F) (2021)

  • Location: Summit of Greenland Ice Cap

  • Details: A relatively recent and significant finding; it may surpass North Ice’s record. Verification is still ongoing.

9. Snag, Yukon, Canada

  • Lowest Recorded Temperature: −63.0°C (−81.4°F)

  • Location: Yukon Territory

  • Details: The coldest temperature ever recorded in North America was measured here in 1947. The tiny village is now mostly uninhabited.

10. Denali (Mount McKinley), Alaska, USA

  • Lowest Recorded Temperature: Estimated around −59.7°C (−75.5°F)

  • Location: Alaska Range

  • Details: The highest peak in North America also has some of the coldest summit temperatures recorded. Wind chills often push conditions to deadly extremes.

Top 10 Coldest Places in India

The Top 10 Coldest Places in India, including their lowest recorded temperatures, altitude, location, and key highlights:

1. Dras, Ladakh

  • Coldest Temperature: –60°C (recorded in 1995)

  • Altitude: 3,300 meters (10,800 ft)

  • Location: Kargil district, Ladakh

  • Highlights:

    • Second coldest inhabited place in the world after Oymyakon, Russia.

    • Acts as the gateway to Ladakh.

    • Known for the Battle of Kargil memorial and its strategic importance.

2. Siachen Glacier, Ladakh

  • Coldest Temperature: –50°C to –60°C

  • Altitude: 5,400 meters (17,700 ft)

  • Location: Eastern Karakoram range, Ladakh

  • Highlights:

    • World’s highest battlefield.

    • Indian Army personnel are stationed here year-round in extreme conditions.

    • Not accessible to civilians.

3. Kargil, Ladakh

  • Coldest Temperature: –48°C

  • Altitude: 2,676 meters (8,780 ft)

  • Location: Ladakh

  • Highlights:

    • Known for its historical war significance (Kargil War 1999).

    • Harsh winters with heavy snowfall.

    • Connects Srinagar and Leh.

4. Leh, Ladakh

  • Coldest Temperature: –35°C

  • Altitude: 3,524 meters (11,562 ft)

  • Location: Ladakh

  • Highlights:

    • Popular tourist destination.

    • Gateway to Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake.

    • Offers trekking, monasteries, and cultural experiences.

5. Keylong, Himachal Pradesh

  • Coldest Temperature: –16°C

  • Altitude: 3,080 meters (10,105 ft)

  • Location: Lahaul and Spiti district

  • Highlights:

    • Headquarters of Lahaul Valley.

    • Receives heavy snowfall in winter.

    • Known for Buddhist monasteries and scenic passes.

6. Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

  • Coldest Temperature: –30°C

  • Altitude: 4,270 meters (14,010 ft)

  • Location: Himachal Pradesh

  • Highlights:

    • Desert mountain valley.

    • Known for Ki Monastery, Chandratal Lake, and high-altitude villages like Komic.

    • Harsh winters isolate the region.

7. North Sikkim (Lachen, Lachung, Yumthang Valley)

  • Coldest Temperature: –25°C

  • Altitude: Around 2,750–3,600 meters

  • Location: Sikkim

  • Highlights:

    • Gateway to Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang Valley.

    • Lachen and Lachung are picturesque Himalayan villages.

    • Snowbound in winter.

8. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

  • Coldest Temperature: –15°C

  • Altitude: 3,048 meters (10,000 ft)

  • Location: Arunachal Pradesh

  • Highlights:

    • Home to India’s largest Buddhist monastery – Tawang Monastery.

    • Close to the Indo-China border.

    • Rich in Tibetan culture and history.

9. Munsiyari, Uttarakhand

  • Coldest Temperature: –12°C

  • Altitude: 2,298 meters (7,539 ft)

  • Location: Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand

  • Highlights:

    • Known as the “Little Kashmir” of Uttarakhand.

    • Base for treks to glaciers like Milam and Ralam.

    • Panoramic views of Panchachuli peaks.

10. Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir

  • Coldest Temperature: –11°C to –14°C

  • Altitude: 2,650 meters (8,694 ft)

  • Location: Baramulla district, J&K

  • Highlights:

    • Premier skiing and snowboarding destination in India.

    • Houses the world’s highest gondola ride.

    • Popular for winter sports and tourism.

FAQs

1. What is the coldest place on Earth?

Answer: The coldest place on Earth is Vostok Station, Antarctica. It recorded a temperature of -128.6°F (-89.2°C) on July 21, 1983.

2. Which country has the coldest inhabited places?

Answer: Russia holds the record, with several towns in Siberia like Oymyakon and Verkhoyansk regularly hitting extreme lows.

3. What is the coldest inhabited place on Earth?

Answer: Oymyakon, Russia is considered the coldest permanently inhabited place, with winter temperatures often dipping below -67.7°C (-89.9°F).

4. Are there any cold places in the Northern Hemisphere that rival Antarctica?

Answer: Yes, places like Verkhoyansk and Oymyakon in Russia, and North Ice in Greenland have extremely low temperatures that come close to Antarctica’s records.

5. Why is Antarctica so much colder than the Arctic?

Answer: Antarctica is colder because it is a continent covered by a thick ice sheet and located at a higher elevation, unlike the Arctic, which is an ocean surrounded by land.

6. Is it possible for humans to live in the coldest places?

Answer: Yes, but with extensive infrastructure and heating systems. Cities like Norilsk in Russia or Barrow (Utqiaġvik) in Alaska are examples where people live despite harsh winters.

7. What are the top 10 coldest places in the world?

Answer:

  1. Vostok Station, Antarctica

  2. Amundsen–Scott Station, South Pole

  3. Dome Fuji, Antarctica

  4. Dome Argus, Antarctica

  5. Oymyakon, Russia

  6. Verkhoyansk, Russia

  7. North Ice, Greenland

  8. Eismitte, Greenland

  9. Snag, Yukon, Canada

  10. Prospect Creek, Alaska, USA

8. How do people survive in such extreme cold?

Answer: Survival depends on special clothing, insulated homes, heated transportation, and stockpiled food and fuel.

9. Can tourists visit these cold places?

Answer: Yes, but it’s challenging. Places like Antarctica and Oymyakon offer guided tours with strict safety precautions.

10. What is the effect of climate change on these regions?

Answer: Even these extremely cold places are warming gradually, leading to melting glaciers, permafrost thaw, and ecosystem changes.

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