The polar vortex has brought record-breaking temperatures to the US and Canada, but in some parts of the world, people regularly live with frigid temperatures that make 0°C look rather balmy. Here are some currently and formerly inhabited spots where a good coat and a set of longjohns are essential to life.
Verkhoyansk, Sakha Republic, Russia. Population: 1,311 (2010)
Average monthly temperatures range from -49.7 °F (-45.4 °C) to +61.7 °F (16.5 °C).
Lowest temperature recorded: -90 °F (-67.8 °C) in February 1892, but on July 25, 1988, there was +99.1 °F (37.3 °C)!
(via Becker0804/Wikimedia Commons)
The place where schools stay open through -52°F: Oymyakon, Sakha Republic, Russia. Population: 472 (2010)
Average monthly temperatures range from -51.5 °F (-46.4 °C) to 58.8 °F (14.9 °C).
Lowest temperature recorded: -90 °F (-67.8 °C) on February 6, 1933
(via Maarten Takens)
The largest city built on continuous permafrost: Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russia. Population: 269,201 (2010)
Average monthly temperatures range from -37.5 °F (-38.6 °C) to 54.9 °F (12.7 °C)
Lowest temperature recorded: -83.9 °F (-64.4 °C), but once there was 101.1 °F! (38.4 °C)
(Photo by AP/Yakutsk Vecherny/Alexander Li)
Snag, a village in Yukon, Canada, closed since 1968. Population: 8-10 fur traders and natives, plus 15-20 airport personnel of the nearby military airfield in 1947.
Average monthly temperatures range from about -16.6°F (-27°C) to 56.3°F (13.5°C)
Lowest temperature recored: -83.0°F (-63.9°C) on Febuary 3, 1947
(via Pico)
Prospect Creek, Alaska. Population: now uninhabited, but in the 1970s it was home to some mining expeditions and a temporary camp for construction workers for the TAPS (Trans-Alaska Pipeline System). It had 27,000 inhabitants in 1974.
Average monthly temperatures range from -14.9°F (-26.1°C) to 62.1°F (16.7°C).
Lowest temperature recorded: -79.8°F (-62.1°C) on January 23, 1975.
(via Wikimedia Commons/Fred Schulz)
Fort Good Hope (also known as the Charter Community of K'asho Got'ine), Sahtu Region, Northwest Territories, Canada. Population: 515 (2011)
Average monthly temperatures range from -18°F (-27.8°C) to 62.1°F (16.7°C)
Lowest temperature recorded: -68.1°F (-55.6°C)
(via Mattcatpurple)
The world's northernmost city with more than 100,000 inhabitants and built on permafrost: Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia. Population: 175,365 (2010)
The city is one of the ten most polluted cities of the world (because of the surrounding mines), covered with snow for about 260 days a year and there are snow storms for 130 days a year.
Average monthly temperatures range from -16.6F (-27°C) to 57.2°F (14°C)
Lowest temperature recorded: -63.6°F (-53.1°C)
The world's northernmost city with more than 100,000 inhabitants and built on permafrost: Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia. Population: 175,365 (2010)
The city is one of the ten most polluted cities of the world (because of the surrounding mines), covered with snow for about 260 days a year and there are snow storms for 130 days a year.
Average monthly temperatures range from -16.6F (-27°C) to 57.2°F (14°C)
Lowest temperature recorded: -63.6°F (-53.1°C)
(via Vladimir Maltsev, Dmitry, Panoroman, Russia Today and Traveling Your Dream)
International Falls, Minnesota. Population: 6,424 (2010)
Average monthly temperatures range from about 4.9°F (-15°C) to 65.6°F (18.6°C)
Lowest temperature recorded: -55°F (-48°C) in 1909.
(via d Wang)
The coldest town in the lower 48 states (32.5 °F or 0.3°C): Fraser, Colorado. Population: 910 (2000)
Average monthly temperatures range from 11.6°F (-11.3°C) to 53.9 °F (12.2°C).
Lowest temperature recorded: -53°F (-47°C)
(via shuebox)
Bonus: The coldest place on Earth, between Dome Argus and Dome Fuji, Antarctica
Researchers analyzed data from satellites and they've found a place where the temperature was -136°F (-93.2°C) on August 10, 2010.
onlinecollegedegreee.blogspot.com Not chilly enough yet? Here are some of the world's coldest settlements