University is challenging enough. Now picture doing that while studying in one of the coldest cities worldwide.
It’s not practically bundling up in layers, it has to do with dealing with temperature levels that can drop to so low it can impact your daily life and even your ability to focus on your studies.
It means braving icy winds, discovering your method through snow-covered streets, and enduring long, dark winter seasons.
The severe cold can affect everything from your commute to school to your ability to hang out and take part in extracurricular activities.
You will require to develop techniques to stay warm, maintain your health, and stay inspired during such severe conditions.
What science states about frigid weather on our scholastic performance
Trainees studying in cities with such extreme temperatures in some cases face more troubles than others.
For those in chillier areas, outside of the obvious cancelled classes and remote knowing due to roadway closures, your academic efficiency just isn’t on par when the weather gets too severe.
Research carried out on Australian children aged between 8 and 15 years discovered that extra cold days significantly lower test scores. To add to that, research study performed on college students revealed that they tend to lower class attendance by 9.7% and reduce class time on cold days by 27.43 minutes– something that is sure to accumulate when you have multiple cold days in a row.
If you’re a worldwide trainee who invested your entire life someplace warm and tropical, these stunning temperature levels will simply make you want to hole up in your dorm, where it’s (ideally) warm and warm.
Still, all this doesn’t simply impact trainees– research study reveals that more than two-thirds of employees believe they are less productive and have lower concentration levels throughout winter season compared to warmer seasons.
Cornell University also performed a study that showed staff members dedicated 44% more errors in their work in a cold setting than in a warmer one.
So if you’re wishing for a long-term residency status after completing your research studies in the coldest cities on the planet, possibly reassess once again.
The coldest place on Earth
The East Antarctic Plateau is the coldest place on Earth, to the point of being uninhabitable.
On August 10, 2010, satellite readings recorded surface temperature levels as low as -93.2 ° C in this region– cooler than any direct ground-based measurement on record. The most affordable air temperature level ever measured by a ground station stays -89.2 ° C(-128.6 ° F), tape-recorded at Vostok Station in July 1983. The conditions on the East Antarctic Plateau are a result of the ridge’s high elevation, which adds to its severe cold, as higher elevations usually cause lower temperatures. The clear, dry air over the plateau permits heat to escape more efficiently into the atmosphere, even more dropping temperature levels.
This winter season’s most severe cold snaps
The Northern Hemisphere winter of 2025– 26 delivered some truly record-breaking cold. In Canada, the neighborhood of Braeburn, Yukon, dropped to -55.7 ° C on 23 December 2025– the nation’s coldest reading since 1999. Simply 2 days later on, the Russian settlement of Delyankir recorded -58.8 ° C, part of a stretch where temperature levels in the location failed to climb above -50 ° C for more than 3 days straight.
Greenland went even more still. A research study station there logged one of the most extreme readings observed throughout the Northern Hemisphere this winter, underlining how the island’s ice sheet continues to produce some of the planet’s harshest conditions outside Antarctica.
Even as the coldest snaps grabbed headings, Antarctica silently broke its own seasonal record: Vostok Station hit -76.3 ° C on 24 March 2026, the coldest temperature level ever taped globally for the month of March, beating the previous record of -75.7 ° C set at Dome Fuji in 2013.
8 coldest cities in the world if you’re sick and tired of the heat and humidity
Harbin in China is among the coldest cities on the planet, though they do have spectacular ice sculptures that no place else worldwide can match. 1. Harbin,
China If you like the cold weather, Harbin, China, is the place for you. Known to be one of the coldest cities in the world, the temperature here has even gone as low as -37.7 ℃( -35.86 ℉). Located in the northernmost province of Heilongjiang, Harbin typically experiences an annual average temperature level of 5.9 ℃(42.6 ℉)and -30 ℃ (-22 ℉)during winter. The city’s extreme winter season conditions can make it challenging to live in. Harbin is popular for its International Ice and Snow Celebration, which takes place every January. Throughout this festival, the “Ice and Snow World”is illuminated with coloured lights, which highlight the ice structures that can rise to 50 meters high.
You can likewise go to Sun Island Park, where you’ll discover snow sculptures that stretch longer than two football fields. These spectacular displays of art and engineering draw in visitors from all over the world, showcasing the city’s ability to turn its extreme winter into a celebration of creativity and culture.
Here are a few of the leading universities in the city if you plan on studying in Harbin:
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Harbin Engineering University
- Northeast Agricultural University
2. Yakutsk, Russia
Yakutsk, Russia, is one of the coldest cities on the planet. Found in East Siberia on the Lena River, Yakutsk experiences harsh winters with temperature levels as low as − 20 ° C(− 4 ° F). The coldest temperature ever taped here was a low of − 64.4 ° C(− 83.9 ° F). Regrettably, winter happens throughout the year, with below-freezing temperatures lasting from October through April. This makes life challenging for those who live there, however despite everything, the residents have adapted and prospered in their lives.
For example, vendors offering frozen fish at the market leave their products outside, where they freeze instantly. Buildings in Yakutsk are frequently built on stilts to avoid the warmth from the buildings from melting the permafrost, which can be as tough as concrete. You will also see gas pipelines laid above ground and insulated to deal with the permafrost. Numerous homes and public areas have actually carpeted stairs to prevent slipping on ice.
The city is home to attractions like the Permafrost Kingdom Ice Museum, which has spectacular ice sculptures, and the National Art Museum of the Republic of Sakha.
While winter in Yakutsk is bad, the city does experience a quick moment of warmth during the summertime. In July, the average temperature rises to 24 ° C(76
° F). If you love the cold, consider studying at North-Eastern Federal University, but do not forget to bundle up and keep yourself warm.
3. Yellowknife, Canada
Yellowknife, situated in the Northwest Territories of Canada, is among the coldest cities on the planet.
Located simply 250 miles south of the Polar circle, it experiences a few of the harshest winter seasons worldwide. As the only city in the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife is the hub for citizens and travelers aiming to explore the northern wilderness.
In spite of its typical temperatures around -24.6 ° C(-12 ° F), the city has many outdoor activities. You can hike to Cameron Falls in Hidden Lake Territorial Park.
The city’s record-breaking low temperature was an impressive -51.2 ° C( -60.16 ° F)in 1947. Winter in Yellowknife lasts from November to March. Amongst 100 Canadian cities, Yellowknife is the coldest capital, with the coldest winters, extreme windchills, and the longest snow cover season.
Aurora College is the just higher education organization in the city. The college has actually been offering education and training for Northerners for nearly 50 years.
The severe winter can affect your mental health and wellbeing. 4. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Ulaanbaatar is not just the
coldest capital of Mongolia, but it is also one of the coldest cities on the planet. Positioned 4,430 feet above sea level in a valley on the Tuul River, Ulaanbaatar experiences severe winters that last from November to February. The typical temperature is about 0.2 ° C(32 ° F), and the most affordable recorded temperature
was -58 ° C (-72.4 ° F). Throughout the summer months, Ulaanbaatar offers trips of the Gobi Desert on camels or horses. July is the hottest month of the year in Ulaanbaatar, with an average high of 75 ° F and a low of 54 ° F. Whether exploring its museums, historic landmarks, or the natural beauty of the surrounding steppes, Ulaanbaatar is an excellent location to study and live.
Consider these universities if you plan on studying in Ulaanbaatar:
- National University of Mongolia
- Health Sciences University of Mongolia
- Mongolian University of Science and Technology
5. Astana, Kazakhstan
Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, is among the coldest cities worldwide. The second-largest city in the country has actually experienced the lowest tape-recorded temperature level of − 51.6 ° C(− 60.9 ° F). While summer seasons can be warm, the contrast is substantial in winter season when temperature levels drop dramatically. From June to August, the average temperature ranges from 20 ° C to 25 ° C(68 ° F to 75.2 ° F ). However, from November to March, temperature levels can drop as low as -30 ° C(-22 ° F).
If you believe you are brave enough to face the cold, here are some top universities to have a look at in Astana:
- L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
- S. Seifullin Kazakh Agro Technical University
- Astana Medical University
The very best sort of day for developing a snowman is when it has to do with 25 or, better, 35 degrees out. 6. Lapland, Finland Lapland, located in Finland’s northernmost region, ranks amongst the coldest cities worldwide.
The city experiences a long winter that lasts around 175 to 225 days each year. Winter season in Lapland is characterised by sub-zero temperature levels and heavy snowfall. The average winter temperature level has to do with -16 ° C (3 ° F)to 3 ° C(37 ° F). The most affordable temperature, − 51.5 ° C(− 60.7 ° F), was taped in Kittilä, which belongs to northwestern Finland.
Lapland has many winter activities, from husky sledging and snowmobiling to experiencing the culture of the Sami people.
Think about the University of Lapland if you intend on studying in this cold city.
7. Vostok Station Antarctica
Found in the Southern Pole of Cold, Vostok Station, Antarctica, has actually tape-recorded a few of the most affordable surface temperature levels ever experienced on Earth.
In July 1983, thermometers at Vostok Station registered -89.2 ° C(-128.6 ° F), which stays among the most affordable air temperatures ever taped.
At Vostok Station, you will experience intense cold and likewise severe dryness. It is among the driest put on Earth, receiving 20 millimetres (0.8 inches) of rainfall per year, all of which falls as snow.
The station is situated on the East Antarctic Ice Sheet at an elevation of about 3,488 metres (11,444 feet) above sea level.
Did you understand chillier weather condition causes more tension and anxiety? 8. Klinck Station, Greenland Klinck Station in Greenland is among the coldest cities in the world. Situated in central Greenland, it holds
the record for the coldest temperature level ever tape-recorded within the Arctic Circle. In December 1991, the temperature at Klinck Station dropped to -69.6 ° C, going beyond the previous record held by Oymyakon in Siberia by two degrees.
Scientists at the station research study the ice and snow to learn more about climate patterns and existing patterns. Nevertheless, although Klinck Station holds the record for extreme cold, much of Greenland’s ice is melting quickly due to worldwide warming.
Often asked questions about the coldest cities on the planet
What is the coldest state in the United States?
Alaska, by a wide margin. Its statewide average annual temperature sits at roughly 26– 27 ° F(around -3 ° C ), well below North Dakota and Minnesota, which typically round out second and 3rd place. Interior locations like Fairbanks routinely see winter season lows near -50 ° F(-45.5 ° C).
What is the coldest nation worldwide?
By typical annual temperature level, Russia and Canada regularly rank as the 2 coldest nations, with 2026 information putting Russia narrowly ahead at around -2.5 ° C average and Canada close behind at around -2.1 ° C. Both owe their rankings to large stretches of land inside or near the Polar circle.
Is it safe for global trainees to study in incredibly cold cities?
Yes, however it takes preparation. Universities in cities like Yakutsk, Harbin, and Yellowknife are utilized to hosting worldwide trainees and normally offer assistance on cold-weather equipment, heating, and security. The larger difficulties tend to be adjusting your routine, staying active, and handling the result of long, dark winters on mood and concentration.
Does winter really impact scholastic efficiency?
Studies recommend it can. Research study on Australian schoolchildren found that extra cold days decreased test scores, while a separate study on college students found attendance dropped and class time reduced on cold days. The effect is generally connected to disrupted commutes, minimized inspiration, and lower concentration rather than the cold itself.
At a glance: 8 coldest cities in the world
| City | Nation | Most affordable record temperature level | Trainee survival ideas |
| Harbin | China | -37.7 ° C(-35.86 ° F)Central heating ranges from mid-October– dress in layers you can shed inside. Prioritise a windproof shell over bulk. | |
| Yakutsk | Russia | -64.4 ° C(-83.9 ° F )Cover all exposed skin: it freezes in two to 5 minutes at wind chills of -48. | |
| Yellowknife | Canada | -51.2 ° C(-60.16 ° F )Examine windchill, not temperature level, before class. Bring a light box– December provides you five hours of daytime. | |
| Ulaanbaatar | Mongolia | -58 ° C(-72.4 ° F )Carry an N95 respirator for your commute. Winter PM2.5 strikes 27 times the WHO safe level. | |
| Astana | Kazakhstan | -51.6 ° C( | -60.9 ° F)Dress for wind chill. Purchase a windproof shell over a bulkier coat, plus thermal base layers and insulated boots. |
| Lapland | Finland | -51.5 ° C(-60.7 ° F )Inspect your school latitude before using: polar night lasts four days in Sodankylä and two months in Utsjoki. Start light therapy in fall. | |
| Vostok Station | Antarctica | -89.2 ° C( | -128.6 ° F |
| )N/A Klinck Station | Greenland | -69.6 ° C (-93.3 ° F) | N/A |
Disclaimer: This post was last updated on August 5, 2026.