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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Oz Briefly Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
The live forecast above shows Yakutsk currently sitting near −35°C, with the city’s January average range from −38°C to −42°C — making it the coldest major city on Earth, where winter is a sustained, unbroken deep freeze.
What makes Yakutsk’s winter so extreme?
Yakutsk sits in eastern Siberia, on permafrost 300 metres deep. The live forecast above reflects a typical January: daily highs rarely climb above −35°C, and night-time lows often drop below −40°C. The city’s cold is driven by its inland position, far from any moderating ocean, and the Siberian High that locks frigid air over the region for months. The 10-day outlook for Yakutsk will show this pattern holding — expect clear skies and persistent cold, not snow, as the air is too dry for heavy falls.
How does Yakutsk compare to Oymyakon?
Oymyakon, about 700 kilometres east, is often called the Pole of Cold and can run 5–10°C colder than Yakutsk on the same day. While Yakutsk’s winter averages near −40°C, Oymyakon has recorded −67.7°C. Both share the same permafrost landscape, but Yakutsk is a larger, more modern city — with heated buildings, underground pipes, and a functioning airport even at −45°C. If you’re checking Australian weather for contrast, remember that Yakutsk’s winter is colder than any place in Australia has ever recorded.
Does Yakutsk ever get above freezing in winter?
Almost never. November through March, the daily maximum stays below 0°C. Occasional thaws in late March may push to −5°C, but true above-zero weather waits until mid-April at the earliest.
What is Yakutsk weather like year-round?
Yakutsk has a subarctic climate with four distinct seasons: winter (Nov–Mar) near −40°C, a brief spring thaw in April–May, summer (June–Aug) averaging 20°C, and a rapid autumn cool-down from September. The annual temperature range is about 60°C.
Is Yakutsk colder than Oymyakon?
No. Oymyakon consistently records lower winter minima — it is the coldest permanently inhabited place on Earth. Yakutsk is the coldest *major* city, but Oymyakon’s village averages 5–10°C colder through winter.