- By Aditi Priya Singh
- Sun, 16 Nov 2025 07:15 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Earth sees all kinds of weather - some spots are blazing hot, others icy cold. But certain areas go far beyond imagination, beyond what we consider a normal cold. In these regions, the air becomes so harsh that people can’t survive long without serious protection. One such spot once recorded a temperature so shocking that it claimed the title of Earth’s lowest temperature ever caught on record.
This unbelievably cold wasn't found in some snowy town or up on a mountain peak - but at a remote scientific research station that is located in one of Earth's harshest places. Blasting wind, endless dark winter, and frozen ground give it a feel no other spot can match. Researchers from around the world visit here to study the climate, ice sheets, what the air’s doing and how our planet works underneath.
The world got shocked after this spot hit –89.2°C - way colder than anything people usually experience. Let’s explore where this place is, why it becomes so cold, and the most interesting facts about this icy wonder.
Where Was the Coldest Temperature Recorded?
Coldest temperature ever recorded (Image: Canva)
The world's coldest temp ever –89.2°C happened at Vostok Station in Antarctica back on July 21, 1983. Run by Russia, this base sits in a super remote spot with wild weather most of the year.
Location and Climate of Vostok Station is located deep inside eastern Antarctica, far away from the coastal areas. Sitting above 3,400 meters high, it feels colder - beyond what feels real.
Reasons for Extreme Cold
* It is located near the South Pole, where sunlight is limited.
*Since it is at a high altitude, it causes lower air pressure and colder temperatures.
* Long periods of complete darkness during winter
* Dry air and strong winds that reduce the temperature further
Amazing Facts About Vostok Station
Coldest temperature ever recorded (Image: Canva)
1. Only qualified scientists are allowed to visit what is regarded as one of the coldest permanently inhabited locations on Earth.
2. The station is completely dark for four months in the winter.
3. The air is so dry that plastic gets very brittle and metal can break.
4. When thrown into the air, boiling water instantly crystallises into ice.
5. One of the biggest subglacial lakes in the world, Lake Vostok, is located nearby and is concealed by 4 km of ice.
6. Here, snow builds up year after year rather than melting.
7. Heaters run constantly to keep equipment running because the extreme cold causes fuel to freeze.
8. 90% of the world's freshwater is locked under the ice sheet here.
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Why Is This Temperature Record Important?
This record helps scientists understand:
* How Earth’s climate behaves in extreme conditions
* Changes in Antarctica’s ice sheets
* How global warming affects polar regions
* How ancient air trapped in ice can reveal climate history