I Have Lived In Two Of The Coldest Cities In The World

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

The capital city of the province of Manitoba, Winnipeg is home to more than 715,000 people and is one of the coldest major cities in North America.

Situated in the Canadian Prairies, Winnipeg experiences normal January lows of minus 5 to minus 9 F (minus 20 to minus 22 C).

Throughout its history, the city has experienced some of the most bone-chilling conditions imaginable. Temperatures as low as minus 49 F (minus 45 C) were recorded on Feb, 18, 1966 and minus 54 F (minus 47.8 C) on Dec. 24, 1879.

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

 

Founded in 1934, Yellowknife is the capital city of Canada's Northwest Territories, located on the shore of Great Slave Lake and about 320 miles from the Arctic Circle. Home to over 20,000 people, the city's roots are based in the mining industry. During the winter, its northern heritage is on display through the ice roads that still provide transport to the community.

Due to its subarctic climate, normal low temperatures during the month of January can reach minus 26 F (minus 32 C) in Yellowknife. Normal highs can struggle to get past minus 7 F (minus 21 C). The coldest temperature on record for the city is minus 60 F (minus 51 C) on Feb. 1, 1947.
Yellowknife was given the title of coldest Canadian city in 2014.

The city also boasts "long and clear" winter nights which provide optimal conditions to view the aurora borealis from mid-November to early April.