Kuzbass Temperature Plummets to -36°C

Winter temperatures of -24°C (-11°F) will persist in Kuzbass on Thursday, February 5. In some places, the thermometer may drop below -35°C (-31°F), according to the Kemerovo Hydrometeorological Center.

Overall, there will be partly cloudy skies, and forecasters do not expect precipitation or strong wind. Some cities and villages may experience haze and frost. Drivers should be cautious as icy roads will persist.

On the night of February 5, specialists expect temperatures from -24°C (-11°F) to -29°C (-20°F), and locally -36°C (-33°F). During the day, the sun will bring readings from -12°C (10°F) to -17°C (1°F). Meanwhile, residents of some areas will briefly see spring-like weather outside with temperatures of -6°C (21°F) to -11°C (12°F) and a southeast wind with gusts up to 12 meters per second.

In Kemerovo, it will be warmer than in the rest of the region. With dusk, the thermometer will drop to -24°C (-11°F) to -26°C (-15°F), and in low-lying areas: -27°C (-17°F) to -29°C (-20°F).

During the day, the wind will change direction but will be light: on average 2 to 7 meters per second. The air will warm to -13°C (9°F) to -15°C (5°F). Forecasters predict sunny and dry weather.

Due to calm conditions, meteorologists have introduced an unfavorable meteorological conditions (NMU) regime in three cities of Kuzbass. Residents are once again complaining about a chemical smell and suffocating haze outdoors.

In Kemerovo, Prokopyevsk, and Novokuznetsk, the NMU—during which enterprises in the region are required to reduce air emissions—will last at least until February 6.

Residents of the regional capital have accused the industrial zone of poisoning the air, but one of the plants has denied it.