Yakutsk is the world’s coldest city. (Image: Getty)
It has been a particularly cold start to 2025, with the new year kicking off with various and widespread snow in the UK.
However, all things considered, we Brits have it relatively easy compared to the world’s coldest city, where temperatures plunge to a bone-chilling 64C.
Located 3,100 miles east of Yakutsk is in Siberia, It is built on continuous permafrost, which means the ground is permanently frozen.
Yakutsk winters can be extreme — even by Russian standards. The mining city’s 355,00 often sees the thermometer drop well below -40C.
In December, the average temperature is a freezing -35C, while in January, it is even colder at a nail-biting -36C. In fact, the average temperature fails to go above average for half the year.
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In January the average temperature is a freezing -36C. (Image: Getty)
The city’s record low temperature of -64.4°C occurred in February 1891 and in January 2023 the city experienced the coldest weather in two decades at -62.7°C .
On the flip side, on July 17 2011, the city recorded its highest ever temperature of 34.4C.
According to the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk, the city is shrouded in “ice fog” during winter, which happens when the air is so cold that hot air from houses, people, and cars cannot rise.
Life in Yakut villages cannot be easy but everyday life is just the same as anywhere else. People study, go to work, see their families, all whilst battling the brutal icy weather.
Here, houses are built from wood and insulated to retain heat, and often, people produce most of their own food through agriculture, such as fishing, berry picking, and reindeer herding.
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The city is shrouded in ‘ice fog’ during winter. (Image: Getty)
Taking to Kiun B, who has lived in Yakutsk all her life, gave eager users a snapshot into how she survives the city’s harsh weather.
During the clip, Kiun shows the extremities she goes through just to go outside: thermals to start, then camel wool kneepads and socks to protect her joints and feet, insulated padded trousers, two padded jackets, a scarf, hat, and gloves and fur boots.
She said: “Today it is -48C. For most people it is hard to imagine but for me it is just another winter’s day.
“It takes quite a bit of effort and a lot of time to just get dressed for the cold. Sometimes, even a quick trip to the grocery store feels like a huge effort.
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“I live in an apartment building which has two heavy doors to protect the winter air from creeping in.
“When you step outside the icy weather it’s your lungs making it difficult to breathe.”
According to Kiun, it’s best to drive around the city. But even owning a car is difficult, as during the winter, locals are often forced to leave their cars running in a heated garage.
However, you can’t just have any old car. In this city, you need a vehicle with windshields retrofitted with two layers of glass to insulate them and prevent them from freezing while you drive. If you turn your car off at any point, it becomes unusable until spring.
In response, one user said: “I can not fathom living in such cold temperatures. I feel cold if it drops below 20C in my house.”
Another added: “I can never complain about the -1C in the UK again.”