Russian cities are cold, even colder than usual

The last time Russia saw exceptionally low temperatures was in the winter of 1997. It dropped as low as 28 degrees below zero Celsius in the early hours of December 15 and 16. Similar temperatures were recorded last week. Photo: Moscow State University viewed from the Novodevichy Convent.

A new consumption record of 16,882 GW was recently set in Moscow’s energy system due to the cold weather. Photo: chimneys of heat and power station 21 in Moscow’s northwestern industrial district of Korovino.

Temperatures have dropped 17 degrees below their normal level for this time of year; similar lows were recorded 12 years ago. Photo: Thermometer on the Central Telegraph building in Moscow. The temperature dropped to minus 26-27 in Moscow.

The 1997 record low was followed by a decade of abnormally warm winters, according to weather services.

Severe frosts have killed several people this year. The abnormally low temperatures caused problems with heating, power and water supply. Trains ran late and several schools were closed. Photo: People waiting at a bus stop with their faces covered in scarves. Air temperature in Perm dropped to 36 below zero.

The severe cold caused several water supply system accidents in the Kama region. Photo: Girls covering their faces in the bitter cold. The temperature is 36 below zero.

Nighttime lows below minus 20 are not common in the Moscow Region. Photo: Non-freezing harbor on the Desna River near the Troitsk Worsted Factory.

Night lows dropped to minus 31-36 in the Sverdlovsk Region in the Urals, and even hit minus 42 in the north of the region and in the mountains. During the day it warmed to minus 30-25. Photo: River Iset embankment in Yekaterinburg.

Severe frost in Kazan. Photo: Woman pulling a car battery on a sled.

Many cars failed to start at minus 29. Photo: a man jump-starting a car.