Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Britannica Sources used in this answer

How cold are winters in the Takla Makan Desert?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Map of Asia highlighting the location of the Takla Makan Desert in northwestern China, with the desert area shaded in orange. Surrounding regions, including parts of Europe, Africa, and the Pacific Ocean, are shown for geographic context. An inset in the top right corner provides a global view with the desert's location marked.
Takla Makan Desert The Takla Makan Desert is flanked by high mountain ranges: the Tien Shan to the north, the Kunlun Mountains to the south, and the Pamirs to the west.

The Takla Makan Desert experiences cold winters characterized by the following temperatures:

  • Average January Temperature: The average air temperature in January ranges from 14 to 16 °F (−10 to −9 °C).1
  • Extreme Winter Lows: The lowest temperatures recorded during the winter season generally fall below −4 °F (−20 °C).1

These conditions are part of the desert's markedly continental climate, which features a significant annual temperature range.1