The　unconventional　working　conditions　bring　more　challenges　to　the　operation　of　proton　exchange　membrane　fuel　cells　in　high　altitude　environments.　One　is　vibration　caused　by　road　turbulence　when　fuel　cell　vehicles　are　in　the　process　of　driving,　the　others　are　harsh　operating　environment　of　low　pressure,　cathode　air　starvation,　and　low　ambient　temperature　etc.　at　a　high　altitude.　Furthermore,　the　occurred　literature　displays　that　these　abnormal　working　conditions　caused　at　high　altitude　environments　exhibit　significant　impact　on　the　working　state　of　proton　exchange　membrane　fuel　cells.　Thus,　we　review　the　research　progress　of　proton　exchange　membrane　fuel　cells　affected　by　various　unconventional　conditions　caused　by　high　altitude　climate　environments,　including　vibration,　low　pressure,　cathode　air　starvation,　and　low　ambient　temperature　conditions,　respectively.　And　at　the　end,　we　anticipate　further　research　directions　of　fuel　cells　in　high　altitude　climate　environments.　(C)　2022　Hydrogen　Energy　Publications　LLC.　Published　by　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.