The coldest part of the world. The coldest places on the planet
At the end of last year, many of us were yearning for winter and snow. However, it is unlikely that anyone would want this winter to be like the winters in those parts of the world where it is really cold. I suggest you find out a list of places where the scale of a standard thermometer is not even enough to measure temperature in certain periods
Roger Pass, USA
The place, rising 1710 meters above sea level, is located in American state Montana. Roger Pass recorded the most cold temperature in the United States outside of Alaska. In January 1954, the thermometer dropped to −57 °C.
Fort Selkirk, Canada
The village was founded in 1848 as a trading post for the Hudson's Bay Company. Until the 20th century, people lived here constantly, until the last inhabitants left it in 1950 due to extreme conditions. weather conditions. Record temperature minimum this place was -58.9 °C.
Prospect Creek, Alaska, USA
The site was inhabited during the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. After construction was completed, most of the population moved. In January 1971, the lowest temperature in the United States was recorded here, which varied at around -62 °C.
Snow, Canada
For a village located 25 km. south of Beaver Creek, characterized by long, harsh winters. The coldest month is January. The temperature during this period can drop to - 63°C.
Ismitte, Greenland
The area is completely covered with ice. During the coldest months, temperatures can drop to -64.9 °C
Northais, Greenland
The former polar research station of the British North Greenland Expedition is located on the Greenland Ice Sheet, at an altitude of 2345 m above sea level. In 1954, the station recorded the lowest temperature in North America - 66.1 °C.
Verkhoyansk, Russia
Despite one of the largest temperature differences between summer and winter on Earth, 1,173 people permanently live in Verkhoyansk. The place is also called the Pole of Cold of the northern hemisphere. The lowest temperature recorded in this place is −69.8 °C.
Oymyakon, Russia
According to a number of parameters, this village in Yakutia is considered the most harsh place on Earth, where people constantly live. The population is 462 people. The average January temperature is −46.4 °C. In 1924, the expedition of geologist S.V. Obruchev in Oymyakon recorded a temperature of −71.2 °C.
Plateau, East Antarctica
The US Plateau Research Station ceased operations in 1969. The lowest temperature recorded at the station is -73.2 °C.
"Vostok", Antarctica
The area around the only inland Antarctic research station used by Russia has some of the harshest conditions on Earth. 120 days a year last here polar night, the average annual wind speed reaches 5 m/sec and only two months a year average monthly temperature air exceeds -40 °C. In this place an absolute temperature record among the most low temperatures on the planet from all meteorological stations in the 20th century: the thermometer recorded −89.2 °C.
There are many in the world different places, differing from each other not only in history and culture, but also climatic conditions. We invite you to consider the coldest places on Earth. When selecting the top 10 locations, we took into account not only the low temperature, but also the duration of the cold weather. At the same time, we will not consider Antarctica or Russia as a single whole. Instead, let's imagine separate zones within which any traveler will feel the real cold. This way you can find out about amazing features of our planet. So:
TOP 10 Coldest places in our world
10
I would like to start with the coldest place in Africa – Ifrane. Because everyone knows about the warm climate, but few people know that on February 11, 1935, a temperature of −23.9 °C was recorded here. This is very uncharacteristic for Africa, but the data is officially recorded. Located this place in Marocco! Currently, Ifrane is inhabited by people. Very rarely the temperature drops below zero. An exception may be January. At the beginning of the year, frosts can even reach 1 degree below zero. In July the temperature rises to +30 degrees!
−56˚C (not official)
Rounding out the Top 10 Coldest Places in the World is Rogers Pass. The settlement is located in America. In 1954, a record of -56 degrees was observed in this place. No other frosts like this were observed, so a well-deserved 9th place! The city is located at an altitude of 5.6 thousand meters above sea level. On this moment People live here and it’s quite warm in the summer. However, the peak of the drop in air temperature was seen in America. Thus, we have dispelled the myths that Antarctica is the leading place in terms of cold weather.
Are you interested? Then read our article about the hottest places and learn even more interesting facts!
−62 °C (not official)
An uninhabited corner of the earth that was once home to hundreds of thousands of builders. In 1971, during the construction of a pipeline system, a temperature of -62 °C degrees below zero was noticed here. No more similar declines were observed. After the order was completed, local residents left Alaska. It is worth noting that over 200 people died during construction. The average annual temperature here is -27 degrees. In winter it can drop to -45˚C. For this reason, the campsite was disbanded. To this day, no one even conducts research in this place.
−65.9 degrees
Speaking of the coldest places in which people live, it is necessary to mention Yukon, Canada. It's about about a small village located in Canada. The lowest figure was observed on February 3 in 1947. Locals they claim that the temperature reached -65.9 degrees, but this has not been confirmed. Currently, the lowest temperature drops to -36˚C. The cold is so severe that wooden houses crack. There is no vegetation to heat the fireplace. Despite this fact, people live here, or rather survive!
We are talking about research center, which is inhabited by only 8 people. Naturally, they are scientists who are responsible for the functioning of the facility. The record low frost temperature was recorded in 1947. According to instrument readings, it reached 55.3 °C below zero. From October to February it is impossible to see the sun in this place. The annual average is -16 degrees. Despite such poor conditions for plant development, many different flowers and animals are observed in this place. Currently the temperature does not drop below -40°C.
The coldest place in Europe is Ust-Shchuger. This is a small village located in the northern part Russian Federation. Record low temperature in this locality was registered on New Year's Eve (December 31) in 1978. The indicator is 58.1 degrees below zero. The village is located in the Komi Republic. Currently, less than 50 people live here. Surely they have their own secrets, which are passed down from generation to generation, and help them survive in such frosts. There is simply no other explanation for the existence of people in Ust-Shchuger!
Another cold place in Greenland is considered the “Middle of Ice”. This is what the country calls a zone that is devoid of any buildings. The record low temperature was recorded at the end of 1930. The expedition, which was sent to study the nature of the ice floes, managed to record a drop in air temperature to -65° degrees. There is no doubt that throughout the entire period the temperature dropped below this level. There are no research stations here that could record the phenomenon.
Northais, Greenland
Northais is one of the coldest places on Earth. For a long time, the North American station, located in Greenland, was considered a secret facility. Research was done here environment. On January 9, 1954, specialists working at this base officially registered -66.1 degrees Celsius. After 2 decades, tourist trips began to be organized here. Temperatures currently reach a maximum of -47 degrees.
First, let's look at the question "Why is it cold in winter?" Our planet, as we know, revolves around the Sun and many would be right in linking the change of seasons and this movement of the Earth. But this is only half the truth. The second half of it is that the change of seasons is also influenced by the rotation of the Earth around its axis.
As a result, these two rotations give the following result: the planet not only moves away from the Sun or approaches it, but also “exposes its sides” to the sun’s rays different angles. At the equator, for example, the angle of incidence sun rays always the same and therefore it is always warm and light there. But closer to the poles the angle is different and the seasons change there regularly.
In addition, with the approach of winter, the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, which prevented heat from escaping, decreases, and falling snow reflects most sunlight, preventing ground objects from absorbing them and heating up.
North and South Poles
Many people will say that the poles are the coldest places on the planet. And they will be right and wrong at the same time. And, oddly enough, it is warmer at the North Pole than at the South Pole. Let's explain why.
We need to start with how the poles differ in addition to their geographical location. Arctic - North Pole- represents the ice-covered expanses of the Arctic Ocean. With the onset of summer in the northern hemisphere of our planet, this ice partially melts. In addition, a significant role in temperature conditions Warm currents also play in the region, the Gulf Stream, for example. All in all, average temperature in the Arctic in winter it is approximately -34°C, and in summer it is even warmer there.
Things are completely different on the other side of the planet. Antarctica is not just the southernmost continent. It is also one and a half times the area more Europe and in two - Australia, yes, in addition to everything, it is covered with non-melting ice shell. Yes and especially warm currents does not pass nearby.
In geography lessons they always teach that it is always colder on the mainland than on the sea. Add to this the eternal ice cover, reflecting almost 95% sunlight, lack of warm currents and here you are full picture. According to scientists, the average temperature southern continent is -49°C.
Where is it coldest
If we start compiling a rating of the coldest places on our planet, the picture we get is as follows: the permanent leader will be Antarctica, followed by the coldest places Northern Hemisphere. Here are the top five of these regions.
Antarctica. Station "Vostok", area of the Earth's South Magnetic Pole.
The Vostok-1 research station was founded on December 16, 1957 by the outstanding Soviet scientist and polar explorer V.S. Sidorov, who later long time was the station chief.
The lowest temperature was recorded at the station on July 21, 1983 and was -89.2 degrees Celsius. And the warmest day during the entire operation of the station remains the day of its foundation - December 16, 1957. Then the thermometer showed -13.6°C.
Yakutsk
The capital of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), a port on the Lena River. The city was founded by a detachment of the Yenisei centurion P. Beketov in 1632. The largest city in terms of population in northeast Russia. Yakutsk is considered the coldest city on earth. Average annual temperature here +10°C. The average January temperature is -41°C. And the absolute minimum in history meteorological observations–64°С degrees. Is it true, last time Such frosts were recorded as early as 1946.
Verkhoyansk
Verkhoyansk is a settlement in Yakutia, located within the Arctic Circle. Historically, Verkhoyansk was a place of exile for political prisoners. The first to be exiled to Verkhoyansk was the poet Puzhitsky, a participant in the Polish uprising. January 15, 1885 exile S. Kovalik on the equipment meteorological station recorded the minimum air temperature in the entire history of observations -67.1°C. In 2005, a memorial plaque was unveiled in honor of the 120th anniversary of registration absolute minimum temperatures in the northern hemisphere.
Oymyakon
A village in the Oymyakonsky ulus (district - editor's note) of Yakutia, on the left bank of the Indigirka River. In the Sakha language it means “unfrozen water”, and is associated with a warm spring among permafrost. On January 26, 1926, a temperature of -71.2°C was recorded here. Such temperatures are associated with the location of the city - in a bowl between the mountains, where cold air. Verkhoyansk and Oymyakon still claim to be the pole of cold of the Northern Hemisphere. Today the palm is given to Verkhoyansk.
Greenland
Not only Russia can boast of regions with very low temperatures. Denmark, oddly enough, too. After all, it is this state that owns Greenland - the largest island in the world, located in the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. The area of Greenland is over 2 million square kilometers. The ice reserves are so impressive that if they melt, the level of the world's oceans will rise not much, not less - by 7 meters. And if we talk about the temperature regime on the island, then in the center of Greenland the average February temperature does not rise above -47°C.
Despite such harsh conditions, even in the coldest places on our planet people live. And they definitely deserve a lot of respect. After all, not everyone is able to live and work in such conditions. Perhaps there will also be thrill-seekers eager to “feel” the severe frosts. Be that as it may, nature, as aptly observed, does not have bad weather.
Incredible facts
It's cold and icy outside, and if you're sitting in warm room in a chair with a cup of tea, then in such frost you can think about those places on our planet where it is now even colder and the temperature is much lower.
International Falls, Minnesota, USA: -40 Celsius
International Falls takes its status as the coldest place in the mainland US quite seriously, and is willing to prove it even in court.
Which is what they did in 2002 when they won a case against the city of Fraser, Colorado. Thus, The title of "Refrigerator of the Nation" remained with International Waterfalls. They even celebrate the Freezer Days Festival every year.
Moreover, at International Falls there is the lowest average temperature in the country is 0-2 degrees Celsius.
Stanley, Idaho, USA: -47 Celsius
International Falls is not the coldest place in the continental US: The championship belongs to the city of Stanley in Idaho.
In addition to this, the city boasts the most big amount coldest days of the year from 1995 to 2005.
The city is located in the region Rocky Mountains, and surrounded mountain ranges White Cloud, Boulder and Sawtooth, and three national forests.
Prospect Creek, Alaska, USA: -62.1 Celsius
Prospect Creek is a small village in Alaska that was home to miners and oil pipeline workers.
Prospect Creek records the coldest temperature in the United States: in January 1971 it dropped to -62 degrees Celsius.
Despite this cold, the oil in the pipes does not freeze thanks to the thick thermal fiberglass coating.
Snow, Yukon Territory, Canada: -63.9 degrees Celsius
In the village of Snag, located in the White River valley, it was registered lowest temperature in the area North America: -63.9 degrees.
In 1947, when this temperature was recorded, the village was inhabited by 8-10 natives, fur traders, weather station employees, radio operators and technicians.
The temperature was so low that meteorologists had to add a new division on the thermometer scale, and send it to the laboratory to determine exact temperature.
Yakutsk, Siberia: -64.4 Celsius
Yakutsk is located on the northern bank of the Lena River.
The winters there are so cold that the frozen river serves as a reliable road.
In Yakutsk you can find almost all the elements of Mendeleev’s periodic table, and folk legends associate this with cold.
According to one legend, the god flew over the earth and distributed wealth and resources, but when he got to Yakutia, he was so cold that he dropped everything from his hands.
Verkhoyansk, Siberia: -69.8 degrees Celsius
Verkhoyansk is another Siberian town, located near the Arctic Circle.
The city, which is a center for deer breeding, was founded in 1638, and was a place of exile until 1917.
In addition to the fact that Verkhoyansk is considered one of the coldest places on earth, there observed huge difference in temperatures of different seasons: for example, in January the average monthly temperature is -45.8 degrees Celsius, and in July +16.9 degrees.
Oymyakon, Siberia: -71.2 degrees Celsius
Oymyakon is considered the coldest constantly populated place on the ground.
The village is located below 350 kilometers from the Arctic Circle. The school there closes only when the temperature drops below -52 degrees Celsius.
Along with Verkhoyansk and Yakutsk, Oymyakon was a place of exile for political prisoners.
Vostok, Antarctica: -89.2 Celsius
Vostok Station, located near the Southern Geomagnetic Field in the center of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet at an altitude of 3,500 meters above sea level, is officially recognized as the coldest place on the planet. Here On July 21, 1983, a world record was registered: -89.2 degrees Celsius.
Despite the fact that this is a Russian station, scientists from all over the world conduct research here. One of the main projects involves drilling a 3700 meter ice sheet, which can provide information about the Earth's climate over the past 500,000 years.
Despite such low temperatures, very little snow falls in the station area - approximately 25 centimeters of precipitation per year.
After Antarctica the most cold part light on Earth is Asia, where records of low temperatures were recorded again on Russian territory. Disputes for the title of Pole of Cold of the Northern Hemisphere are between two settlements in Yakutia - the city of Verkhoyansk (population 1,200 people) and the village of Oymyakon (population about 500 people). Officially, this title belongs to Verkhoyansk, because On February 5, 1892, a temperature of −67.8 °C was recorded at a local meteorological station, which is a record in the history of official weather observations in the Northern Hemisphere. There were no meteorological observations in Oymyakon at that time, but unofficially in 1924, academician Sergei Obruchev recorded a temperature of −71.2 °C there. According to other sources, this record was broken in 1938, when the temperature in Oymyakon dropped to -77.8 °C. If we compare the altitude above sea level of the village of Oymyakon and the Antarctic station "Vostok", then Oymyakon can be considered the coldest place on Earth, because Vostok station is located at an altitude of 3488 meters above sea level, while Oymyakon is located at an altitude of 741 meters above sea level. Officially, the lowest recorded temperature in Oymyakon is −67.7 °C (in 1933). Surprisingly, in summer months in the coldest places in Russia it is hot like summer: on July 28, 2010 in Oymyakon it was +34.6 °C, and in Verkhoyansk the temperature record with a plus sign is +37.3 °C.
The third coldest part of the world is North America. January 9, 1954 At the North Ice research station in Greenland, a temperature of −66.1 °C was recorded. If we take the mainland itself, the title of the coldest place in North America belongs to the now abandoned Canadian village of Snag, where on February 3, 1947, a temperature of −63 °C was recorded.
In addition to Verkhoyansk and Oymyakon, which are the coldest places in Asia and the entire Northern Hemisphere, in Russia, namely in the Komi Republic, there is also the coldest place in Europe is the village of Ust-Shchugor with a population of about 50 people. On December 31, 1978, the temperature was recorded here at −58.1 °C.
The coldest place South America- Argentine city of Sarmiento(Sarmiento), where on June 17, 1907, a temperature of -33 °C was recorded.
The coldest place in Australia and Oceania is the town of Ranfurly(Ranfurly) in New Zealand, where on July 18, 1903, a temperature of −25.6 °C was recorded.
It's warmest in Africa, but it can happen here too subzero temperatures. The coldest place in Africa is Ifrane(Ifrane) in Morocco, where on February 11, 1935, a temperature of −23.9 °C was recorded.