It’s winter in the UK at the moment, with temperatures below freezing across much of the country. However, even if you’re currently freezing, the weather here is nothing compared to life in the coldest city in the world.
Temperatures there frequently dip below -40C and every single trip outside requires layers of clothing. Cars freeze, bus stops need to be heated and if you’re not prepared you can freeze in “minutes”. This incredible city is Yakutsk, the coldest city in the world.
Located in northeastern Siberia, Yakutsk is home to more than 372,800 people. The city is built on permafrost and only receives around four hours of sunlight per day, so visibility is incredibly low. People who live here need to be able to adapt to the harsh conditions and having the right clothing is crucial
One woman documents her life here on YouTube under the name Kiun B. In a video, she showed just how challenging (and expensive) it can be to run errands in this city.
With the weather sitting at -42C, she explained that you need layers. Two pairs of leggings, thick woollen bands over her knees to stop the cold from hurting her joints, insulated trousers and two jackets are the basics.
She also wears specialised fur boots, as normal winter boots would freeze. She said without these layers, she would freeze “in minutes.”
Good quality clothing is expensive too, with a winter coat costing up to £600 and boots even more so.
Even with her layers, Kiun said that the quick five-minute walk to her closest bus stop can be a challenge.
The cold slips through clothing and her hair freezes. After ten minutes, her nose turned white, which is the first sign of frostbite, so she had to rush into the nearest shop to warm up.
Another interesting thing about life here is that mobile phones are rarely used. The extreme cold drains batteries quickly, so Kiun said she only ever uses hers in emergencies.
As well as batteries dying, she said that using them outside is hard as it requires you to take off your specialised gloves in order to type, and your fingers will quickly freeze.
When it comes to the food she eats, Kiun said that she needs more calories in order to stay warm in the harsh temperatures. According to her, having two breakfasts is totally normal as it allows her and other locals to keep warm.
Fresh produce is a luxury, as nothing can really grow on the permafrost.
All fresh fruit and vegetables are imported from warmer climates, resulting in prices nearly double what they would be in central Russia. So instead she relies on things like long-life milk and tinned beef.
Even so, weekly groceries for one, without any fresh vegetables or meat, can still cost up to £111.
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