Record low temperatures on earth
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Record Low Temperatures on Earth: Key Locations and Measurements
Antarctica: The Coldest Place on Earth
Antarctica holds the record for the lowest temperatures ever measured on Earth. The coldest directly recorded air temperature at the surface was −89.2°C at Vostok Station, Antarctica, on July 21, 1983. This extreme event was due to a combination of meteorological factors, including a near-record low mid-tropospheric vortex, minimal warm air advection, low wind speeds, and clear skies that allowed significant heat loss to space. Under even more isolated conditions, temperatures at Vostok could potentially drop to around −96°C, and the higher Dome Argus site may be even colder by 5–6 K, suggesting the possibility of even lower future records in Antarctica 39.
Satellite data have also identified even lower land surface temperatures in Antarctica, with a record of −110.9°C, highlighting the continent's status as the coldest region on Earth 4.
Northern Hemisphere Extremes: Siberia and Greenland
In the Northern Hemisphere, northeastern Siberia has long been recognized for its extreme cold. The lowest temperature recorded at the surface in this region was −67.7°C at Oimekon, Siberia, on February 6, 1933 15. More recently, Greenland set a new record for the Northern and Western Hemispheres with a temperature of −69.6°C at Klinck Automatic Weather Station on December 22, 1991. This measurement was thoroughly validated and is now recognized as the official record for the region 8.
Other Notable Records and Historical Observations
Historical records also mention extremely low temperatures in other locations. For example, a reading of −93.6°F (−69.8°C) was recorded at Verkhoiansk, Siberia, in 1885 5. In North America, Canada has also experienced some of the lowest temperatures, though not as extreme as those in Siberia or Antarctica 1.
Factors Influencing Record Low Temperatures
Record low temperatures are typically observed in high-latitude, high-elevation regions with clear skies, low wind speeds, and minimal intrusion of warmer air masses. These conditions allow for maximum radiative cooling, especially during polar nights when the sun does not rise for extended periods 31. The presence of a stable atmospheric vortex and the absence of clouds or precipitation further enhance the potential for extreme cold 3.
Global Patterns and Variability
Global analyses show strong latitudinal patterns in temperature extremes, with the coldest land surface temperatures consistently found in Antarctica and the tundra biomes. The diurnal temperature range is also highest in desert environments, but these do not approach the extreme cold of polar regions 4.
Conclusion
The coldest temperatures ever recorded on Earth have occurred in Antarctica, with Vostok Station and Dome Argus being the most notable sites. The Northern Hemisphere's coldest records are found in Siberia and Greenland. These extremes are the result of unique meteorological and geographical conditions that allow for exceptional radiative cooling. Ongoing monitoring and improved data collection continue to refine our understanding of where and how these record lows occur 13489.
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