Ever wondered where the coldest city in the world is? Earth is home to several cold places, but when it comes to extreme weather conditions, Yakutsk remains on top. Nestled deep in the heart of Siberia,
this city has a population of roughly 355,000 people. Since winter dominates most of the year, temperatures in Yakutsk defy the limits of human endurance and adaptation.
Recently, a video started doing the rounds on the internet, highlighting the day-to-day lifestyle of Yakutsk. The clip provides a glimpse of the coldest city in the world.
According to BBC Science Focus, the average low temperature during January stands at -42°C, while the city receives sunlight for less than four hours per day. The lowest temperature recorded in Yakutsk was -64.4°C on February 5, 1891.
The viral video on X, which has received more than 2.2 million views, features how even boiling water freezes within seconds in the region.
This is the coldest place on earth.
Even boiling water freezes here ❄️
In Yakutsk, Russia, the air gets colder than a freezer. pic.twitter.com/Rovdwh9SNU
— Living Tricks (@LivingTricks_) December 19, 2025
Anything left outside, including clothes, cars and others, freezes within seconds or minutes. “Fish and meat at the markets stay frozen naturally because the air outside is colder than any freezer,” a person said in the clip.
Interestingly, it also shows how a banana left outside can double as a hammer and can even be used to drive a nail into a block of wood.
People are required to keep the engines of their cars running all the time; otherwise, they will freeze within minutes. To move outside, a person on average is required to put on about 22 pounds of clothing, which includes multiple layers.
The only part of the body that remains exposed is the area around the eyes. “Even that requires careful protection,” the person states.
Also, Yakutsk is not a place to survive for vegetarians, as fresh produce is scarce. Here, meat remains the main staple of the diet.
While in Yakutsk, people are required to use their smartphones carefully, since they can shut down within minutes in the open air.
Why is it called the coldest city in the world?
While Yakutsk is called the “coldest city in the world,” it is not the closest city to the North Pole. Yakutsk is located far away from any moderating maritime influences. This city is roughly 725 kms away from the Sea of Okhotsk.
During winters, Siberia experiences Siberian High, which is a high-pressure system. Yakutsk receives very little sunlight during this season. Yakutsk is built on land that is in continuous permafrost, which means the ground remains frozen permanently.
