Russia is renowned for its freezing winters and vast frozen landscapes. Winter is fierce in the Northern and Far East regions, lasting almost half the year. Temperatures can plummet to record lows of around -38°F (-39°C). It’s no wonder some of Russia’s coldest places are found there.
Despite the extreme cold, these regions are far from desolate. They are home to millions of people and boast bustling cities where residents go about their lives as if they aren’t living in a freezer.
1. Yakutsk
Yakutsk proudly holds the world’s coldest major city title in northeastern Siberia, Russia. Its winters are extraordinarily severe, with average temperatures below -40°C (-40°F) from December to February. Summers are brief and cool, offering average temperatures ranging from 15°C (59°F) to25°C (77°F).
Yakutsk boasts an estimated population of approximately 320,000 people.
2. Barnaul
Located in southwestern Siberia’s Altai Krai region, Barnaul experiences a humid continental climate. Winter brings cold temperatures, averaging between -15°C (5°F) and -25°C (-13°F) in January. Summers are mild to warm, offering average temperatures ranging from 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F) in July.
As of 2021, Barnaul’s population stood at around 630,000.
3. Tolyatti
Tolyatti finds its place in western Russia’s Samara Oblast region. It enjoys a humid continental climate. Winters are cold, with average temperatures ranging from -10°C 14°F) to -15°C (5°F) in January. Summers bring warmth, with average temperatures ranging from 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F) in July.
The estimated population of Tolyatti is approximately 700,000 people.
4. Yekaterinburg
In the central Russian region of the Ural Mountains, Yekaterinburg experiences a humid continental climate. The winters are cold, with average temperatures ranging from -15°C (5°F) to -20°C (-4°F) in January. Summers are warm, with average temperatures going from 18°C (64°F) to 23°C (73°F) in July.
Yekaterinburg is home to approximately 1.5 million people.
5. Khabarovsk
Khabarovsk is located in eastern Russia’s Far Eastern Federal District and exhibits a humid continental climate with distinct seasonal variations. Winters are cold, with average temperatures ranging from -20°C (-4°F) to -25°C (-13°F) in January. Summers are warm and humid, offering average temperatures ranging from 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F) in July.
The estimated population of Khabarovsk is around 600,000.
6. Chelyabinsk
Located in the southwestern region of the Ural Mountains in Russia, Chelyabinsk experiences a continental climate. Winters are cold, with average temperatures ranging from -15°C (5°F) to -20°C (-4°F) in January. Summers bring warmth, with average temperatures ranging from 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F) in July.
As of 2021, Chelyabinsk had a population of approximately 1.2 million people.
7. Omsk
Situated in southwestern Siberia near the border with Kazakhstan, Omsk endures a continental climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers. During winter, temperatures can range from -15°C (5°F) to -25°C (-13°F) in January. Summers are relatively warm, with average temperatures ranging from 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F) in July.
Approximately 1.2 million people live in Omsk.
8. Krasnoyarsk
Found in Siberia along the Yenisei River, Krasnoyarsk experiences a continental climate with long, cold winters and moderately warm summers. Winter temperatures can range from -20°C (-4°F) to -30°C (-22°F) in January, while summer temperatures average around 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F) in July.
The estimated population of Krasnoyarsk is about 1.1 million people.
9. Novosibirsk
Located in southwestern Siberia on the banks of the Ob River, Novosibirsk embraces a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. Winter temperatures range from -15°C (5°F) to -25°C (-13°F) in January, while summer temperatures average around 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F) in July.
As of 2021, Novosibirsk had a population of approximately 1.6 million, making it Russia’s fifth-most populous city.
10. Volgograd
Situated in southwestern Russia along the western bank of the Volga River, Volgograd experiences a humid continental climate characterized by cold winters and hot summers. Winter temperatures can range from -10°C (14°F) to -20°C (-4°F) in January, while summer temperatures average around 25°C (77°F) to 30°C (86°F) in July.
The estimated population of Volgograd is approximately 1.1 million people.
11. Magadan
Situated on the Sea of Okhotsk in northeastern Russia’s Far Eastern Federal District, Magadan endures a subarctic climate characterized by long, cold winters and cool summers. Winter temperatures can plummet to -30°C (-22°F) or lower, while summer temperatures range from 10°C (50°F) to 20°C (68°F).
Around 92,000 people inhabit Magadan.
12. Arkhangelsk
Located on the coast of the White Sea in northwestern Russia, Arkhangelsk experiences a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and cool summers. Winter temperatures range from -10°C (14°F) to -20°C (-4°F), while summer temperatures average around 15°C (59°F) to 20°C (68°F).
The estimated population of Arkhangelsk is about 350,000.
13. Murmansk
Found on the Kola Peninsula in northwest Russia, near the borders of Norway and Finland, Murmansk embraces a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and cool, short summers. Winter temperatures average around -10°C (14°F), while summer temperatures range from 10°C (50°F) to 20°C (68°F).
As of 2021, Murmansk had a population of approximately 307,000 people.
14. Vorkuta
Located near the Ural Mountains in the Komi Republic of northern Russia, Vorkuta experiences a subarctic climate with frigid winters and short, cool summers. Winter temperatures can drop below -40°C (-40°F), while summer temperatures range from 10°C (50°F) to 20°C (68°F).
The estimated population of Vorkuta is around 70,000 people.
15. Salekhard
Situated directly on the Arctic Circle in northwestern Siberia’s Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Salekhard endures a subarctic climate with freezing winters and short, cool summers. Winter temperatures can reach below -30°C (-22°F), while summer temperatures range from 10°C (50°F) to 20°C (68°F).
As of 2021, Salekhard had a population of approximately 45,000.
16. Lipetsk
Situated in the Lipetsk Oblast in western Russia, Lipetsk experiences a humid continental climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers. In January, winter temperatures can range from -10°C (14°F) to -20°C (-4°F). Summers are relatively warm, with average temperatures ranging from 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F) in July.
Lipetsk has a population of approximately 509,000 people.
17. Kirov
Located in the Kirov Oblast in western Russia, Kirov experiences a humid continental climate with cold winters and mild summers. In January, winter temperatures can range from -15°C (5°F) to -25°C (-13°F). Summers are relatively mild, with average temperatures ranging from 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F) in July.
The estimated population of Kirov is around 465,000.
18. Perm
In Russia’s western region of the Ural Mountains, Perm has a humid continental climate with cold winters and mild summers. Winter temperatures range from -15°C (5°F) to -25°C (-13°F) in January, while summer temperatures average around 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F) in July.
About 1.05 million people live in Perm.
19. Khanty-Mansiysk
Located in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug in western Siberia, Russia, Khanty-Mansiysk experiences a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and cool summers. Winter temperatures can drop below -30°C (-22°F), while summer temperatures range from 10°C (50°F) to 20°C (68°F).
The population of Khanty-Mansiysk is around 73,000.
20. Nizhnevartovsk
Found in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug in western Siberia, Russia, Nizhnevartovsk endures a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and cool summers. Winter temperatures can range from -20°C (-4°F) to -30°C (-22°F) in January, while summer temperatures average around 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F) in July.
As of 2021, Nizhnevartovsk had a population of approximately 275,000 people.
21. Ulan-Ude
Situated in the Republic of Buryatia in southeastern Siberia, Russia, Ulan-Ude has a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and warm summers. Winter temperatures can range from -25°C (-13°F) to -35°C (-31°F), while summer temperatures average around 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F).
The estimated population of Ulan-Ude is approximately 435,000 people.
22. Chita
Chita is located in eastern Siberia, in the ZabaykalskyKrai region. It experiences a subarctic climate with long, cold winters and relatively warm summers. In January, temperatures in Chita can range from -25°C (-13°F) to -35°C (-31°F), while summer temperatures in July average around 20°C (68°F) to 25°C (77°F).
Chita had an estimated population of approximately 336,000 as of 2021.
23. Anadyr
Anadyr is situated in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug in the northeastern part of Russia. It is known for its Arctic climate and harsh winters. In January, temperatures in Anadyr can drop to around -30°C (-22°F) to -40°C (-40°F). Summers are cool, with temperatures ranging from 5°C (41°F) to 15°C (59°F).
The population of Anadyr is around 14,000 people.
24. Ust-Kut
Ust-Kut is located in the Irkutsk Oblast of eastern Siberia. It experiences a severe subarctic climate with long, bitterly cold winters. In January, temperatures in Ust-Kut can range from -35°C (-31°F) to -45°C (-49°F). Summers are short and cool, with average temperatures ranging from 15°C (59°F) to 20°C (68°F).
The population of Ust-Kut is approximately 43,000.
25. Syktyvkar
Syktyvkar is the capital city of the Komi Republic in northwestern Russia. It has a subarctic climate with cold winters and cool, short summers. In January, temperatures in Syktyvkar can range from -15°C (5°F) to -25°C (-13°F), while summer temperatures in July average around 15°C (59°F) to 20°C (68°F). The estimated population of Syktyvkar is around 245,000 people.
Conclusion
In Russia, hundreds of cities experience freezing temperatures, each with its population adapting uniquely to survive. Despite the inhospitable conditions, the people living in these cities have developed ingenious strategies to cope with the extreme cold. Specialized infrastructure, insulated housing, and unique clothing are just a few examples of the adaptations made to thrive in these environments.
While these cities may not be the typical choice for a family vacation or retreat, they offer a thrilling challenge for the adventurous. So, if you’re up for a daring and unforgettable experience, consider venturing to one of Russia’s extremely cold cities.