In this article, we list the 10 Coldest Cities in the World. If you would like to see our detailed discussion prefacing the list, you can go to 25 Coldest Cities in the World.
10. Novosibirsk, Russia
February average temperature in °C: -19.5
Lowest temperature ever recorded (in °C): -43
Novosibirsk is a city in Siberia, Russia. It experiences harsh winters, lasting from November to March, with severity increasing from the end of December. The month of February in Novosibirsk is still predominantly cold, however, with slightly better conditions than prior months due to longer daylight hours. As of February 2024, the average recorded temperature of the city is -19.5 °C. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Novosibirsk was -43 °C.
9. Harbin, China
February average temperature in °C: -19.8
Lowest temperature ever recorded (in °C): -38.1
Ranked number nine, Harbin is the capital of China’s northernmost province, Heilongjiang. The climate of this city is quite inhospitable and frequently cold. As of February 2024, the average recorded temperature of Harbin is -19.8 °C. On January 4, 1970, Harbin’s temperature dropped to -38.1 °C, marking the lowest temperature ever recorded in the city’s history.
8. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
February average temperature in °C: -22.2
Lowest temperature ever recorded (in °C): -43.9
Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, is also known as the coldest capital city in the world. Winters in Ulaanbaatar are harsh and last from November to February. As of February 2024, the average temperature recorded in Ulaanbaatar is -22.2 °C. The natural light in Ulaanbaatar during this month is slightly more accessible as compared to January.
The lowest temperature ever recorded in Ulaanbaatar stands at -43.9 °C.
7. Irkutsk, Russia
February average temperature in °C: -22.8
Lowest temperature ever recorded (in °C): -49.5
Located in the northern region of Russia, Irkutsk is one of the coldest cities in the world, and in Russia as well. In February, the temperature is slightly higher than in January, but still extremely cold. As of 2024, the average temperature in Irkutsk during February has been -22.8 °C, while the lowest temperature ever recorded stands at -49.5 °C.
6. Utqiagvik, USA
February average temperature in °C: -23.8
Lowest temperature ever recorded (in °C): -48.9
On number six is Utqiagvik, a city in the state of Alaska in the United States of America. It was formerly known as Barrow but changed its name to Utqiagvik in October 2016. The city of Utqiagvik is located 320–350 miles north of the Arctic Circle and is also famously known as the Gateway to the Arctic. Every winter, it experiences a polar night, during which the sun doesn’t rise in the city for about 64 days. The winters in this city are frigid, snowy, and extended.
As of February 2024, Utqiagvik, USA, has an average recorded temperature of -23.8 °C. The lowest temperature ever recorded in this city stands at -48.9 °C.
5. Yellowknife, Canada
February average temperature in °C: –24.8
Lowest temperature ever recorded (in °C): -51.2
Yellowknife is the capital city, the largest community, and the only city in the Northwest Territories of Canada. It is located 400 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle and is also one of the coldest places in the whole of Canada. In Yellowknife, winter lasts around five months of the year starting from November till March. The lowest temperature ever recorded in this city was -51.2 °C.
As of February 2024, the average temperature of the city is recorded to be -24.8 °C.
4. Norilsk, Russia
February average temperature in °C: -27
Lowest temperature ever recorded (in °C): -53
Norilsk is a closed city located in Russia, 300 km north of the Arctic Circle. It is also one of the coldest coldest cities in the world with abundant snowfall in January and February. As of February 2024, the average temperature of the city is recorded to be -27 °C, and the lowest temperature ever recorded stands at -53 °C.
3. Iqaluit, Canada
February average temperature in °C: -31.7
Lowest temperature ever recorded (in °C): -45.6
Iqaluit is the capital of the Nunavut territory of Canada. The city faces severe winter conditions from November to March, and the lowest temperature ever recorded in Iqaluit is -45.6 °C. As of February 2024, the average temperature of the city is recorded to be -31.7 °C.
2. Eureka, Canada
February average temperature in °C: -34.8
Lowest temperature ever recorded (in °C): -54.6
On number two stands Eureka, a city located in the largest and the northernmost territory of Canada, Nunavut. Although it is classified as a city, Eureka had a population of only 8 people according to the 2016 consensus. Winters in this city last around seven months from late October to late April. Even in July, though, the highest average temperature in Eureka is 9.2°C. For February 2024, the average recorded temperature of this city is -21 °C.
On February 15, 1979, Eureka, Nunavut, Canada saw its temperature fall to −54.6 °C, and it remains the lowest recorded temperature for the city to date.
1. Yakutsk, Russia
February average temperature (in °C): -36.1
Lowest temperature ever recorded (in °C): -64.4
With temperatures falling as low as -36.1 °C, accompanied by regular snowfall, in February 2024, Yautsk upholds its title as the coldest city in the world. It is a port city in Russia, situated in East Siberia on the Lena River. Yakutsk has below-freezing temperatures for around seven months of the year, with the Winter season starting in October and lasting till April. As of February 2024, the average temperature of the city is recorded to be -36.1 °C with regular snowfall. The lowest ever recorded in Yakutsk was -64.4 °C on 5 February 1891.
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