Early Snows Sweep Asia, Cold Records Tumble; Big Freeze Sweeps Iceland; + Energy Addition, Not Transition

From Iceland To China, winter is setting in early and records are falling.

Early Snows Sweep Asia, Cold Records Tumble

Snowfall on Otmok Pass, a mountain pass in Kyrgyzstan connecting the Suusamyr and Talas valleys, caused significant traffic jams on Tuesday, October 15 — a theme playing out across much of Asia, particularly central and eastern parts.

Despite road-clearing equipment, conditions remain difficult. Authorities advise drivers to use snow chains, switch to winter tires, and avoid blocking road-clearing efforts. Truck traffic has been suspended for safety.

This early snow in Kyrgyzstan is part of a larger pattern hitting Central and East Asia, with the likes of Russia, Mongolia, China, and Japan also experiencing rapid accumulations.

In Russia, Siberia and the Far East have already seen disruptions, while Mongolia's nomadic communities face challenges, with forecast calling for another deadly 'dzud'. Early snowfall in northern China threatens agriculture, and Japan's mountainous regions are preparing for heavy snowfalls with associated risks like avalanches.