What is the lowest temperature in the world
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The Lowest Temperature in the World
Record Low Temperatures in Antarctica
The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was observed in Antarctica. Specifically, the record low temperature of -110.9°C was documented, making Antarctica the coldest place on the planet2. This extreme temperature was measured using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) land surface temperature data, which has provided comprehensive insights into global temperature extremes over an 18-year period2.
Historical Temperature Records
Historically, the South Polar Plateau has been known for its extreme cold. During the International Geophysical Year (IGY) period from 1957 to 1968, continuous meteorological observations were made in the interior of Antarctica. Notably, the Vostok Station recorded a temperature of -87.4°C on August 25, 1958, which was a world record at the time3. This record surpassed previous low temperatures recorded at other high-elevation Antarctic stations and even those in northeastern Siberia and Greenland1 3.
Geographic Distribution of Low Temperatures
The lowest temperatures on Earth are predominantly found in the high-altitude regions of Antarctica. The South Polar Plateau, including stations like Vostok, Amundsen-Scott, and Sovetskaya, consistently records some of the coldest temperatures due to its high elevation and unique climatic conditions1 3. These regions experience extreme cold due to factors such as radiation balance and atmospheric inversion layers, which contribute to the exceptionally low temperatures3.
Conclusion
In summary, the lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth is -110.9°C, observed in Antarctica. Historical data also highlights the South Polar Plateau as a region of extreme cold, with significant records set at various high-altitude stations. These findings underscore the unique climatic conditions of Antarctica that contribute to its status as the coldest place on Earth.
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ON THE LOWEST TEMPERATURES ON EARTH
The South Polar Plateau, northeastern Siberia, Greenland, and Canada have the lowest air temperatures on Earth, as determined by proper documentation and geographical analysis.
Global Patterns of Hottest, Coldest and Extreme Diurnal Variability on Earth
The world's highest land surface temperature of 80.8°C, the coldest place on Earth, and the highest diurnal temperature range of 81.8°C are found in deserts and xeric shrublands, with strong latitudinal patterns.
THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE IN ANTARCTICA
The -187.4° C record set in Antarctica during the 1958 winter season is the lowest temperature ever recorded in the world.
Global Temperature Variation, Surface-100 mb: An Update into 1977
The global surface temperature in 1976 was lower than in any year since 1958, but the trend since 1965 has been small compared to the 0.5°C decrease during 1960-65.
WMO evaluation of northern hemispheric coldest temperature: −69.6 °C at Klinck, Greenland, 22 December 1991
The WMO has accepted a record of 69.6°C as the lowest observed near-surface air temperature in Greenland, the Northern and Western Hemispheres, and WMO Region VI.
MINIMUM TEMPERATURES IN THE LOWER STRATOSPHERE
Recent Antarctic records lower the previous world record of lowest temperatures in the lower stratosphere, set in 1913 in Batavia, Indonesia.
Satellite-based Equitable Ranking of the World’s Hottest and Coldest Cities Reveals Inequitable Distribution of Temperature Extremes
Manama, Bahrain, is the hottest city and Yakutsk, Russia, the coldest city, with cities under 0.3 million inhabitants experiencing 80% of the top 20% global temperatures with extreme temperatures.
Maximum and minimum temperature trends for the globe: An update through 2004
From 1950-2004, minimum temperature increased more rapidly than maximum temperature, leading to a significant decrease in diurnal temperature range.
Highly CitedVariations and Trends in Tropospheric and Stratospheric Global Temperatures, 1958–87
Global temperatures increased by 0.08°C (10 yr)1 from 1958 to 1987, but cooled by 0.18°C (10 yr)1 from 1973 to 1987, with the largest decrease in the south polar zone.
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