The village of Babno Polje, located on a sparsely populated, broad valley of the same name, is close to Slovenia’s southern border with Croatia. But despite its southerly latitude and its relative proximity to the Adriatic Sea, it holds the record for the lowest temperature ever officially recorded in the country.

Since official measurements began, meteorologists have twice recorded a temperature of -34.5 °C (-30.1°F) at Babno Polje. Nowhere in Slovenia has the official temperature ever dropped lower. And even its average winter temperatures are among the coldest anywhere in Slovenia, a distinction that has earned Babno Polje the nickname “Slovenian Siberia.”

It’s not Babno Polje’s altitude – 760 meters or 2490 feet -- that makes it exceptionally cold. There are many other places in Slovenia that are higher in altitude, but don’t experience temperatures this low. Rather, the low temperatures are the result of the local topography. The shape of the valley tends to prevent frigid air from escaping and results in a localized temperature inversion. Therefore, the temperature near the ground is often much cooler than at the mountaintops that surround Babno Polje.

In some areas near Babno Polje, these temperature inversions are even reflected in the local vegetation, with dwarf pines and spruce trees growing below areas of beech trees – exactly the reverse of the usual pattern!

Many local residents, who tend to be proud of their unique microclimate, take systematic temperature measurements – some for the state weather service, others for their own records. The area’s weather has certainly made Babno Polje famous; not only is the village mentioned in weather forecasts, but the often bone-chilling readings themselves ensure that it stands out from other places around Slovenia.