Siberia braces for close to record-breaking cold over New Year, with temperatures predicted to hit freezing -50 degrees

Earlier this year, in the height of summer, the highest-ever temperature seen above the Artic Circle was recorded, with the small town of Verkhoyansk seeing the mercury reach as high as +38.

“Extremely cold weather in Siberia has not happened for a long time,” explained Roman Vilfand, the scientific director of the Hydrometeorological Center, noting that the upcoming freeze will come close to the all-time record. “The temperature is 20 to 24 degrees below normal. For example, in the center of the Krasnoyarsk Region, it will reach -50 degrees.”