Now that October has begun, temperatures are starting to drop, although they are still pleasant. However, in places like Oymyakon (Russia)he the coldest city in the worldweather conditions are extreme most of the year. This small town of barely 900 inhabitants holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded: -71.2ºC, in 1926. Located northeast of Sakha in eastern Siberia, Oymyakon experiences average temperatures of -62°C during the winter months, which extend from October to May.
The ground in Oymyakon is covered in permafrost, which means it remains frozen all year round. Interestingly, the city’s name means “water that does not freeze”in reference to its hot springs, which provide liquid water to the inhabitants. THE life in Oymyakon It’s very complicated, because no one can stay outside for more than 20 minutes and vehicles stop at less than -20ºC. Fortunately, the city has free heating ensured by a nearby thermal power plant and transport systems adapted to extreme conditions. Despite the harsh winter temperaturesin summer, the temperature can reach 34ºC.
Oymyakon, the coldest city in the world
@aureldefranceQuite a hot day in the coldest city in the world, -55 C, Oymyakon, Yakutia, Russia♬ In The End – Mellen Gi Remix – Tommee Profitt & Fleurie & Mellen Gi
Oymyakon, a small Russian town located northeast of Sakha, Eastern Siberiais known for being the coldest city in the world. Its name, meaning “water that does not freeze,” refers to nearby hot springs, a rarity in a region where the ground remains frozen year-round due to permafrost.
In January 1926, there was a temperature of –71.2ºCthe lowest ever measured in an inhabited area, even if this data was controversial because it was obtained by extrapolation. Despite this, Oymyakon remains an inhospitable place, with winters lasting nine months and temperatures around –50°C. In winter, the cold is so extreme that fish freeze within seconds when taken out of the water, and vehicles must keep their engines running to prevent fuel from solidifying.
THE 900 people living in Oymyakon have developed unique ways to adapt to this difficult environment. They have specific infrastructure to cope with low temperatures, such as underground heating systems and means of transport designed to operate in such extreme conditions. As food production is virtually impossible due to frozen ground and extremely low temperatures, the inhabitants’ diet relies heavily on meat products.
Climate
The climate of Oymyakon is extreme: summers, although short, can reach up to 34ºCwhile in winter, sunshine is limited, with only six hours per day. Additionally, the thermal inversion phenomenon causes cold air to concentrate in the valley where the city is located, maintaining extremely low temperatures during the winter months.
THE absolute maximum temperatures They vary from -16.6°C in January to 34.6°C in July, demonstrating the striking contrast between summer and winter. During the hottest months, in June and July, temperatures can exceed 30°C, while in the middle of winter, the average maximums are around -42.1°C in January and -35.8°C in FEBRUARY.
THE average monthly temperatures They also reflect this variability. In the coldest months, January and February, averages are below -40°C, reaching -45.7°C in January, while in summer months, like July, the average temperature rises to 15, 3°C. The average minimum temperatures in winter can be extreme, such as -49.3°C in January, and although in summer the minimum temperatures are much more pleasant, they are around 6.9°C in July.
THE Annual rainfall in Oymyakon It is low, with an average of 218 mm, and is mainly concentrated during the summer months, especially in July, with 46 mm. Snowfall is common in winter, with a total of 150 centimeters of snow per year, with January and February being the snowiest months with up to 30 centimeters.
Despite its hostile climate, Oymyakon benefits from approximately 2,129 hours of sunshine per yearwith the longest and sunniest days in June and July, where more than 300 hours of sunshine are recorded per month. However, in December, sunshine is virtually non-existent, with only 13 hours of sunshine over the entire month. Additionally, the average annual relative humidity is 70.5%, with higher values in autumn and winter.
Although Oymyakon’s records are surprising, it is not the coldest place on Earth. The record is held by Antarctica, the coldest uninhabited place in the worldwhere in 1983 -89ºC was reached in the former Soviet station of Vostok, located on the Antarctic plateau, more than 3,000 meters above sea level and 1,000 kilometers from the coast.
