World's coldest city with extreme -71C temperatures that freezes cars and eyelashes
Although the festive season is wrapped up for another year, many people are still dreaming of a winter wonderland.
Unfortunately for us Brits, snow doesn't come by that easily with only parts of the UK being graced with the white scenes each Christmas period. Now if you want to really test your tolerance to freezing temperatures, let's see how you feel about this one place.
The coldest village on Earth is not for the faint-hearted as locals endure temperatures which plunge to -71C. The coldest temperature to ever be recorded in the UK was -27.2C in Braemar, Scotland, back in 1895 and 1982, so this is one big jump for Brits...
Over in Oymyakon, in Eastern Siberia, Russia, it regularly sees the mercury drop to below a chilling -50C. Even by the standards of Siberia, one of the coldest inhabited regions in the world – that's pretty extreme.
@factopia409 The coldest city in the world #facts #interestingfacts #record #worldrecord #fyp #factopia Oymyakon in Siberia, Russia, is one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth. It is difficult for people to survive here, as the temperature can drop well below -60 degrees Celsius in winter. Daily life in Oymyakon often involves unique challenges, such as using heated garages to prevent vehicles from freezing and dealing with frozen food supplies.
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Its coldest ever recorded temperature was as low as -71.2C in 1924. Nowadays the average winter temperature is around -50C, meaning it might dip even lower than that. You'd be surprised to hear people still manage to live here, although it can be a struggle.
Over on TikTok, a page famously known for facts, revealed it's a "struggle" to survive in the region given its extreme temperatures. Meanwhile, another bloke showed what a "pretty warm day" looks like, although it's still -55C.
The area's remote location miles from any ocean and deep in a valley locks it into a freezing desert in wintertime. Plus, local legend has it it that when God was creating the Earth, His hands became so cold moving around the ice, He dropped it all in Oymyakon.
With such low temperatures, it means frostbite could set within minutes, so wrapping up warm is essential. Cars are kept running almost all the time or else the engines will freeze up.
Most toilets are outhouses without plumbing due to the pipes going solid and the cold could even freeze your eyelashes if you walk around the village without a balaclava.
The ink in children's pens can freeze as they go to school and people's glasses sometimes stick to their faces. Even your phone camera lens can freeze over when trying to take a snap.
@aureldefrance Pretty warm day inside the coldest city on earth, -55 C, Oymyakon, Yakutia, Russia
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While many of us will put high strength spirits in the freezer to chill them and not worry about the drink – as liquor has such a low freezing point – even bottles of vodka can go solid if left on your doorstep in Oymyakon.
The village is unusual due to the weather with its local delicacy being raw foal meat, which is eaten like deli meat. The vitamin-rich dish gives residents the vitamins they would otherwise get from fresh fruits and vegetables which cannot grow there.
Currently, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Russia amid risks and threats from its continuing invasion of Ukraine.
The GOV.UK website said: "FCDO advises British nationals against all travel to Russia due to the risks and threats from its continuing invasion of Ukraine. The situation in Russia is unpredictable.
"This includes: security incidents, such as drone attacks, happening in some parts of the country, lack of available flights to return to the UK, limited ability for the UK government to provide consular assistance."