Ice Cream Freezer Moved Outside in Chita to Save Power

A store in Chita moved an ice cream freezer outside during a cold snap, with temperatures dropping to -40°C (-40°F) this morning, to reduce electricity costs.

Jan 25, 2026

The street naturally chills ice cream, outperforming electric freezers during the severe cold.
Source:
eyewitness

The Arbat store in the center of Chita moved an ice cream freezer outside during severe frosts on January 21, an eyewitness told Chita.Ru.

«Well, why not? It saves electricity,» said a local resident.

The store«s name and ice cream prices are stuck on top of the freezer.

The manager of Arbat declined to comment to Chita.Ru on this decision. It was not possible to get a comment from the director.

From January 21, truly strong frosts hit Chita and the region. This morning, the Gismeteo service showed -40 degrees Celsius (-40°F) in Chita. Due to this, all 54 Chita schools from January 22 to 24 were switched to remote learning. In the region, severe frost with air temperatures of -45 degrees Celsius (-49°F) and below is expected in the coming days.

Also, due to the cold, more than 100 units of special equipment went on duty on the federal highways of Zabaykalsky Krai. In the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM), mobile heating points are on constant standby and will be deployed if necessary.

The frosts will ease slightly in Chita by the beginning of next week — January 26. Night temperatures are expected to be -28 to -25 degrees Celsius (-18 to -13°F), during the day rising to -20 to -17 degrees Celsius (-4 to 1°F).