Lowest recorded temperature on earth
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Record Low Surface Air Temperature on Earth: Vostok Station, Antarctica
The lowest reliably recorded air temperature at the Earth's surface is −89.2°C (−128.6°F), measured at Vostok Station, Antarctica, on July 21, 1983. This record was set under a unique combination of meteorological conditions, including a near-record low temperature at the core of the mid-tropospheric vortex, minimal warm air advection, low wind speeds, and clear skies that allowed for maximum heat loss to space. Analysis suggests that even lower temperatures could be possible at higher sites like Dome Argus, which is typically 5–6°C colder than Vostok Station.
Other Notable Low Temperature Records: Antarctica, Greenland, and Siberia
Prior to the Vostok record, other extremely low temperatures were documented in Antarctica, such as −64°C at Boiling Base in July 1934. In Greenland, the lowest recorded temperature was −66°C (−87°F) at the French central station on February 21, 1950.
In Siberia, Oymyakon and Verkhoyansk have long competed for the title of the coldest inhabited places. Oymyakon recorded −67.7°C (−89.9°F) in February 1933, while Verkhoyansk has reported values as low as −69.8°C (−93.7°F), though the reliability of some of these older records has been debated.
North American and Other Regional Records
In North America, the lowest temperature was recorded at Snag, Yukon Territory, Canada, in 1947, with values reported between −61.5°C (−78.7°F) and −62.7°C (−81°F).
Historical Context and Measurement Challenges
Earlier records, such as those from Mount McKinley (Denali) in Alaska and various observatories, have reported extremely low temperatures, but the reliability of these measurements is sometimes questioned due to equipment limitations and environmental factors affecting the readings256.
Conclusion
The coldest reliably measured temperature on Earth is −89.2°C, recorded at Vostok Station, Antarctica, in 1983. Other regions, including Siberia and Greenland, have also experienced extreme cold, but Antarctica remains the site of the lowest confirmed surface air temperature. Ongoing monitoring at high-elevation Antarctic sites suggests that even lower temperatures may be possible under the right conditions137.
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