1983 Antarctic Temperature Record Remains Unbroken, Highlights Extreme Cold Conditions
On July 21, 1983, Vostok Station in Antarctica recorded the coldest air temperature ever directly measured on Earth at -128.6°F (-89.2°C). This record, set during the Antarctic winter, remains unbroken. Vostok Station, a Russian research outpost, is located about 800 miles from the South Pole. The extreme cold conditions are attributed to high elevation, months without sunlight, dry air, and clear skies. These factors contribute to Antarctica being the coldest place on Earth, with temperatures that can cause bare skin to freeze in seconds and metal to become brittle.