Record Arctic Cold Grips Yakutia, Setting the Planet’s Lowest Temperatures

The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is currently experiencing the most extreme cold on Earth, as air temperatures across the region have fallen to minus 56 degrees Celsius (-68.8 Fahrenheit), matching the lowest readings recorded globally in recent days.

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org by Helen Filatova, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Frosted glass

Arctic Settlements Face Emergency Conditions

The most difficult conditions have developed in the Arctic settlement of Tiksi, where residents have endured a powerful blizzard combined with extreme frost for three consecutive days. Due to the severe weather, local authorities have temporarily closed schools and kindergartens and urged residents to remain indoors whenever possible, warning that even short exposure outdoors poses serious risks to health and life.

Footage shared on social media shows entire buildings nearly buried under snow. In one video, the local children's art school is covered by snowdrifts reaching the level of the second floor, illustrating the scale of the snowfall and wind-driven accumulation.

Forecasts Warn of Further Temperature Drops

Meteorologists caution that the situation may worsen in the coming days. According to forecasts, temperatures in some parts of Yakutia could fall to minus 60 degrees Celsius. Under such conditions, transport links may be suspended, and the risk of accidents involving heating systems and power infrastructure increases sharply. Any technical failure could lead to serious consequences for isolated communities.

Yakutia's Climate and the Limits of Human Endurance

Yakutia is traditionally regarded as one of the coldest inhabited regions on the planet. It is home to Oymyakon, widely known as the Cold Pole of the Northern Hemisphere. The region's extreme climate is shaped by its sharply continental nature, long polar nights, and persistent high-pressure systems that trap cold air.

However, even by local standards, the current temperatures and prolonged blizzard conditions represent a severe test for residents, infrastructure, and emergency services.

Sharp Contrast With European Russia

Against the backdrop of Yakutia's extreme cold, weather conditions in European Russia appear dramatically different. Earlier, meteorologist Tatyana Pozdnyakova reported that Moscow and central regions are expecting a sharp warming trend in the coming days, highlighting an unusually strong temperature contrast across the country.

Growing Climate Extremes Raise Concerns

Experts note that such weather extremes are becoming increasingly frequent and underscore the need for greater attention to infrastructure resilience and regional preparedness for severe climatic stress. The current cold wave in Yakutia serves as a reminder of the growing challenges posed by extreme weather in traditionally harsh environments.