Russia battles record-breaking cold as temperatures plunge below -50°C
Extreme winter weather has gripped large parts of Russia, bringing record-breaking cold and rare natural phenomena. In Siberia’s Yakutia region, temperatures plunged below -50°C, while blizzards and freezing conditions disrupted daily life across the country.
Yakutsk and nearby areas in Siberia faced some of the harshest conditions, with thermometers hitting nearly -42°C. The cold was so intense that breath froze mid-air, and frost formed on eyelashes. Authorities in Yakutia declared remote learning days to keep children indoors, as the extreme temperature strained heating systems and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, in Irkutsk Oblast, Angarsk recorded temperatures around -37°C, leading to heating failures and emergencies. The freezing temperature also caused unusual sights: the Volga River appeared to boil as mist rose above the ice, and a solar halo was spotted in the sky. Tatarstan witnessed another rare event—light pillars illuminating the night. Blizzards in Bashkortostan forced road closures due to heavy snow and near-zero visibility. In the Urals, a family was rescued after being stranded on the Serov Highway in life-threatening cold. Further west, Samara saw temperatures drop to -20°C, with some areas reaching -28°C.
The severe temperature has tested Russia’s energy networks and transport systems, while also creating striking natural displays. With remote learning in place and rescue operations underway, authorities continue to monitor the situation as freezing conditions persist.
