Yekaterinburg Faces Extreme Cold as Arctic Cyclone Brings Record Lows
Yekaterinburg is bracing for an extreme cold snap as an Arctic cyclone sweeps into the region from January 20. The city has already announced changes to train services, with Finist-series ES104 commuter trains being replaced by standard electric models until the end of the month.
Temperatures will drop sharply, with the most severe frost expected on January 22 and 23. Nighttime lows in Yekaterinburg will reach -30 to -31°C, while daytime highs will struggle to climb above -24 to -26°C. The surrounding Sverdlovsk region will face even harsher conditions, with readings as low as -32 to -37°C.
The cold wave will push daily averages 10-15°C below normal for this time of year. A brief respite is forecast for the weekend, but only after midweek’s deep freeze. January 19 will mark the last relatively mild day, with temperatures hovering around -10°C. The train replacements will affect routes linking Yekaterinburg to multiple destinations, including Nizhnyaya Tura, Kamensk-Uralsky, Shalya, Kuzino, and Kachkanar. Meanwhile, city authorities are rolling out extra measures to cope with the extreme weather. These include deploying additional heating equipment, stepping up maintenance checks on public transport, and providing hot meals and blankets at major stations. No details have been released about the personnel responsible for operating the Finist-series ES104 trains.
The cold snap will disrupt travel and daily life across Yekaterinburg and the wider Sverdlovsk region. Standard electric trains will remain in service until January 31, while emergency measures aim to support residents through the freezing conditions. A slight warming trend is expected by the weekend, but temperatures will stay well below seasonal norms.
