Nestled deep in the remote regions of Siberia, Oymyakon is a small village unlike any other on Earth. Known as the coldest permanently inhabited settlement in the world, this frostbitten outpost regularly endures temperatures so brutal, they defy imagination. This winter, Oymyakon plunged to an astonishing -62°C (-80°F) — a stark reminder of just how extreme life can be in Earth's coldest corners.

In Oymyakon, even daily routines seem like feats of survival. Local students are expected to attend school unless temperatures drop below -52°C (-62°F). Until then, school remains in session — a concept that makes snow days elsewhere seem laughably lenient.

This icy frontier was previously introduced to the world through the lens of photographer Amos Chapple, who once ventured into the region to document life in the permafrost. “I was wearing thin trousers when I first stepped outside into -47°C (-52°F),” Chapple recalled. “I remember feeling like the cold was physically gripping my legs. The other surprise was that occasionally my saliva would freeze into sharp needles that pricked my lips.”

Now, the cold has become even more intense — not only freezing limbs but also turning eyelashes into icicles and pushing technology to its limits. While the official weather station recorded -59°C (-74°F), a newer electronic thermometer broke down after registering -62°C (-80°F), simply unable to handle the harshness. Some locals even claim temperatures have plummeted to -68°C (-90°F) — figures that sound unreal, but in Oymyakon, are taken in stride.

A Village Born from Survival

The history of Oymyakon is as rugged as its climate. In the 1920s and 1930s, it served as a stopover for nomadic reindeer herders, who would bring their animals to drink from a local thermal spring — one of the few unfrozen water sources in the area. Later, in an effort to settle the nomadic population, the Soviet government transformed the area into a permanent village.

In 1933, Oymyakon cemented its place in meteorological history when it recorded a temperature of -67.7°C (−89.9°F) — the lowest temperature ever documented in the Northern Hemisphere.

The name Oymyakon is believed to originate from the Even language, possibly derived from "kheium", meaning "unfrozen patch of water" or "place where fish spend the winter." Ironically, other sources suggest the word may actually mean "frozen lake." Either way, water — or the lack thereof — plays a defining role in the village's identity.

Life in the Deep Freeze

Despite the extreme climate, Oymyakon remains home to about 500 resilient residents, who continue their daily lives with stoic determination. Located 750 meters above sea level, the village is part of the Oymyakonsky District of the Sakha Republic, Russia.

The local lifestyle is a fascinating mix of adaptation and endurance:

• Street vendors don’t need refrigeration — the sub-zero air is cold enough to preserve fresh fish on open tables.

• Farmers brush snow off their Yakut horses as part of their morning routine. “For us, this is normal,” said one resident, unfazed by the frost.

• Cyclists have been spotted braving -48°C temperatures in nearby Yakutsk — a feat that borders on madness for outsiders, but not for the people of this region.

• Tourists and photographers are drawn to Oymyakon’s surreal beauty and harsh mystique. One photographer even captured a ballerina dancing outdoors at -41°C, proving that art and frost can coexist — though barely.

The village, often called the “Northern Pole of Cold,” transforms into a winter wonderland during the long, snowy months. Snow-covered trees, ice-clad homes, and glowing frost make the entire area look like a scene from a fantasy novel — if that novel were written in a freezer.

Yet not everything is frozen forever. While winters are long and punishing, summers can be surprisingly warm, with temperatures in June, July, and August occasionally exceeding 30°C (86°F). It’s a climate of extremes where daylight hours vary wildly, ranging from just 3 hours in December to 21 hours in June — a dramatic dance of darkness and light.

The Beauty and Brutality of Oymyakon

From frozen eyelashes that resemble delicate sculptures to mine tunnels shimmering with frost, the beauty of Oymyakon lies in its harshness. Life here is both difficult and stunning — a constant reminder of nature’s raw power and human resilience.

Despite being surrounded by ice, the people of Oymyakon are anything but frozen in spirit. Their ability to adapt, endure, and thrive in conditions that most of us can't even imagine is a powerful testament to the strength of the human will.

So next time you shiver on a chilly day, just remember: in Oymyakon, the cold doesn’t stop life — it defines it.