Coldest temperature recorded on earth
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Coldest Temperature Recorded on Earth: Key Locations and Measurements
East Antarctic Plateau: The Coldest Surface Temperatures
The coldest temperatures ever recorded on Earth have been measured on the East Antarctic Plateau. Satellite data from 2004 to 2016 revealed that surface temperatures in this region can drop as low as -97.8°C (-144°F) during the southern polar night, particularly in July and August. These extreme lows occur in small basins where cold, dry air becomes trapped, allowing the snow and air to cool even further. The conditions required for these ultra-low temperatures include clear skies, very little wind, and extremely dry air, which allows heat to radiate away from the surface efficiently .
Vostok Station: Coldest Air Temperature at a Weather Station
The lowest air temperature ever recorded at a weather station was -89°C (-128°F) at Russia’s Vostok Station in central Antarctica in 1983. This record is based on direct measurements at a standard height above the ground and remains the coldest reliably measured air temperature on Earth 26.
Historical Records in Antarctica and Greenland
Earlier records in Antarctica include temperatures of -61°C (-78°F) and possibly -64°C (-83°F) measured at Boiling Base in July 1934. In Greenland, the lowest temperature recorded was -66°C (-87°F) at the French central station in February 1950. These values, while extremely cold, are not as low as those found in East Antarctica .
Satellite Observations: Even Lower Surface Temperatures
Recent studies using satellite data have identified even colder surface temperatures than those recorded by ground stations. The coldest land surface temperature observed globally is -110.9°C, also in Antarctica, according to MODIS land surface temperature data. These satellite-derived values represent the temperature of the snow or ice surface, not the air above it, and are typically lower than air temperature measurements .
Summary of Coldest Locations
- East Antarctic Plateau: Coldest surface temperature, -97.8°C to -110.9°C (satellite data) 28.
- Vostok Station, Antarctica: Coldest air temperature at a weather station, -89°C 26.
- Greenland: Lowest recorded temperature, -66°C .
Conclusion
The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth’s surface is found in East Antarctica, with satellite data showing lows of -97.8°C to -110.9°C. The coldest air temperature measured at a weather station is -89°C at Vostok Station. These extreme temperatures are made possible by unique conditions in Antarctica, including high elevation, clear skies, dry air, and persistent polar night 1268.
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