Yakutsk, Siberia, is currently experiencing an extreme cold spell with temperatures plunging to a bone-chilling -45 degrees Celsius this week. Known as the coldest city on Earth and located in eastern Siberia, Russia, Yakutsk presents formidable living conditions, yet its residents have adapted to survive in such harsh climate.
Despite the frigid weather dropping to -45 degrees, locals in Yakutsk were observed carrying out their daily routines amidst frozen vehicles and icy walkways. The severe cold snap led to the closure of schools for the week, with students resorting to online classes from home.
Situated about 450 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle along the Lena River, Yakutsk regularly faces some of the most extreme winter temperatures globally, highlighting the unforgiving nature of Siberia’s weather. The city’s approximately 300,000 inhabitants cope with the severe conditions by dressing in multiple layers of clothing and frequently indulging in hot tea.
Residents of Yakutsk claim that the cold is bearable as long as there is no biting wind exacerbating the winter chill. In local markets, refrigeration is unnecessary for storing fish or meat as they freeze instantly.
Cooking indoors continues as usual, with popular dishes including hearty meat soups, stews, dumplings, porridge, and bread. A native of Yakutsk, Kiun B, emphasizes the importance of dressing appropriately to prevent freezing within minutes in such extreme cold conditions.
In a video on her YouTube channel, Kiun demonstrates the extensive layers she wears just to run errands, starting from leggings and camel wool knee pads for joint protection to insulated trousers for warmth. She further layers up with jumpers, jackets, and a heavy-duty winter coat designed for Arctic winters, complemented by woolly hats, scarves, mittens, and yakutian fur boots to ensure maximum insulation.
Kiun describes the shock of cold air hitting the lungs upon stepping outside in Yakutsk, making breathing more difficult and throat dry due to the freezing air. The city’s infrastructure is specifically built to withstand extreme cold, with roads, buildings, and utilities designed to endure temperatures dropping below -70 degrees Celsius. Most apartments are equipped with 24/7 central heating to combat the severe cold and ensure warmth for residents.