In this paper,the 3-hour and 0.71° grid temperature forecast data of 2m above ground surface during the period of 1989 to 2009 derived from ERA-Interim reanalysis dataset were applied for the analysis of extremely low and high temperatures in China.Based on the cumulative distribution function and quantile function,the results indicated that the Northeast China,Tibetan Plateau,and Northwest China are the main extremely low-temperature areas,and the extremely low temperature rises along the northwest-southeast direction.Tibetan Plateau is the sole cold area with the extremely high temperatures,while the basins located in Northwest China are the warmest areas.ERA-Interim reanalysis data can represent the spatial distribution of extremely low/high-temperature areas in China.The duration of extreme temperatures can be quantitatively analyzed using the quantile function,which provides reference for the quantitative analysis of extreme climate events.