What is the Coldest Temperature Ever Recorded on Earth, in the US? ( Update)

How cold can it really get, and could you survive it? The coldest temperature ever recorded isn’t just a shocking number; it challenges what the human body, infrastructure, and even technology can endure. Let’s uncover where these extremes happen, and why they matter more than you think!

Coldest temperature ever recorded

What is the coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth?

The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth is −128.6°F (−89.2°C), measured at Vostok Station in Antarctica on July 21, 1983. 

This record has been officially recognized by the World Meteorological Organization and remains the lowest directly measured air temperature on our planet.

The lowest temperature is recorded in Vostok Station in Antarctica

At −128.6°F, exposed skin can freeze in seconds, and even breathing the air becomes dangerous. Equipment can fail, fuel can thicken, and survival depends entirely on advanced protection and controlled environments.

So why did this extreme happen at Vostok? The answer lies in a combination of geography and climate. 

This research station sits deep in the Antarctic interior, far from any ocean influence that could moderate temperatures. 

It’s also located on a high ice plateau - over 3,000 meters above sea level, where thinner air holds less heat. 

Add months of complete darkness during the polar winter, and the ground has unlimited time to lose heat into space.

Interestingly, scientists have detected even lower temperatures - down to about −135°F (−93°C) using satellites over East Antarctica. 

However, these are not considered official records because they weren’t measured directly at ground-based weather stations, which follow strict global standards. 

What is the coldest place on Earth?

The coldest place on Earth is Antarctica - a vast, frozen continent at the bottom of the planet where temperatures can drop to extremes that feel almost unreal.

But calling Antarctica “cold” doesn’t really capture what’s going on there. 

This is a place where winter temperatures regularly plunge below −80°F (−62°C), and in some inland areas, the cold is even more intense. 

Why is Antarctica so cold?

Antarctica is extremely cold because several factors combine at once. 

It receives very little direct sunlight due to its polar location, and its ice-covered surface reflects most of that energy back into space. 

Antarctica is the coldest place in the world

On top of that, the continent sits at a high elevation with thin, dry air that can’t retain heat well. 

Its isolation also prevents warmer air from reaching it, allowing the cold to persist.

Can it get even colder?

The answer is yes, but only slightly. 

Under perfect conditions - clear skies, no wind, and very dry air temperatures in East Antarctica may drop a few degrees lower than current records. 

However, scientists believe we are already close to Earth’s natural limit for surface cold, so any new records would not be drastically lower.

What is the coldest temperature ever recorded in the US?

The coldest temperature ever recorded in the United States is -80°F (-62.2°C), measured at Prospect Creek Camp, Alaska, on January 23, 1971. 

This remains the official national record and has not been surpassed in over five decades. 

The coldest temperature in the US is recorded at Prospect Creek Camp

At that level of cold, metal becomes brittle, fuel thickens, and even simple outdoor exposure can become life-threatening within minutes. 

This helps explain why such extremes are typically recorded in remote, sparsely populated areas rather than major cities.

Interior Alaska has a continental climate, meaning it lacks the moderating influence of oceans. 

During winter, long periods of darkness allow the ground to lose heat continuously. 

Cold, dense air then settles into low-lying areas and becomes trapped, causing temperatures to plunge even further. 

What is the coldest place in the US?

Do you know which place is coldest in the US? Let’s check whether you are living there!

US regional map of last winter’s freezing day

Fairbanks, Alaska

• Mean annual temperature: 27.6°F 

Fairbanks is often considered the coldest city in the US when looking at year-round averages. 

Its inland location means no ocean influence to moderate temperatures, and winters are long, dark, and extremely cold. 

It’s common for temperatures to stay below freezing for months.

Duluth, Minnesota

• Mean annual temperature: 39.6°F

Duluth’s cold climate is shaped by its northern latitude and proximity to Lake Superior. 

While the lake can slightly moderate extremes, it also brings cold winds and heavy snowfall, making winters feel longer and harsher than the numbers suggest.

Grand Forks, North Dakota

• Mean annual temperature: 39.8°F

Located on flat plains, Grand Forks is fully exposed to Arctic air masses moving down from Canada. 

With little natural protection, cold air settles easily, leading to frequent and prolonged freezing conditions during winter.

Williston, North Dakota

• Mean annual temperature: 41.5°F

Williston experiences a strong continental climate, meaning big temperature swings but consistently cold winters. 

Its dry air and open landscape allow heat to escape quickly, especially at night, which keeps average temperatures low.

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

• Mean annual temperature: 41.7°F

This city sits near the Great Lakes, which influences its climate year-round.

While the lakes can soften extreme cold slightly, they also contribute to persistent chill and lake-effect snow, keeping overall temperatures relatively low.

Curious about which state is coldest in the US? Explore the full ranking here!

The Science behind Extreme Cold Temperature

Now you might wonder what actually causes such extreme cold?

In short, extreme cold happens when Arctic air escapes from its usual location and moves southward. 

Normally, this freezing air stays locked near the poles, but when large-scale atmospheric patterns shift, it can spill into lower latitudes and create severe cold waves. 

• Polar vortex

One of the most important drivers is the polar vortex - a massive ring of cold air circulating high above the Arctic. 

When it’s strong, it keeps cold air contained. But when it weakens or becomes unstable, parts of that icy air can break away and move south, leading to extreme cold events like those recorded in the US.

Unstable polar vortex leads to extreme cold events

• Jetstream

Jet stream, a fast-moving band of wind that acts like a boundary between cold polar air and warmer regions. 

When the jet stream becomes weaker and more “wavy,” it allows cold air to dip further south than usual.

This is why places that are normally mild can suddenly experience freezing temperatures.

Wavy jetstream allows cold air to dip further south

• Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW)

Another key factor is Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW). This phenomenon happens high in the atmosphere and can disrupt the polar vortex, causing it to split or shift. 

When that happens, cold air is no longer contained and can spread into continents.

You can explore this in more detail in our guide on what is stratospheric warming.

The SSW disrupts the polar vortex and causes it to split

• Climate pattern

There are also broader climate patterns at play. 

Systems like atmospheric blocking, El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) can all influence how air moves around the planet. 

These patterns can either trap cold air in place or push it into new regions, making extreme cold events more likely.

Some weather patterns can push cold air into new regions

Wrapping up

The coldest temperature ever recorded shows just how extreme Earth’s climate can be, from −128.6°F in Antarctica to −80°F in Alaska. While these numbers feel almost unreal, they’re the result of clear scientific processes. And even in a warming world, these extreme cold records remain powerful reminders of nature’s limits.