Mongolia's Largest Snowfall Since 1975; "Gulmarg Looks Like Antarctica!"; Europe Forecast Heavy Snow; SSW Event; Vostok Plunges To -60.7C (-77.3F); + X-Flare

Antarctica has just posted one of its earliest sub -60Cs on record, and so continues the intensifying cooling trend observed in recent years.

Mongolia's Largest Snowfall Since 1975

This winter has delivered the large East Asian nation of Mongolia its heaviest snowfall since 1975, so say the Mongolian government in a recent press release.

Severe freezes and blizzards have resulted in the deaths of some 668,000 livestock.

In response, authorities have initiated disaster relief efforts, providing essential aid—such as food, fuel, and livestock feed—to the affected areas starting February 19.

Earlier in the month, the United Nations warned that the ongoing “white and iron” dzud had reached a “critical” level, with over 90% of Mongolia facing high levels of risk from the unique phenomenon.

Mongolia’s winters have been intensifying in recent years. Between 1940 and 2015, official dzud declarations were made twice a decade; in recent years, dzuds have increased in frequency with occurrences now happening annually.

The UN describes dzuds as "a peculiar slow-onset disaster unique to Mongolia ... extreme winters characterized by freezing temperatures, heavy snow and ground so frozen that animals cannot reach pasture — and they’re an increasing phenomenon."

Last winter (2022-23) also saw herder families endure unprecedented levels of misery including severe food shortages, warned Save the Children at the time.

Even into May 2023, so well into spring, some 13 of Mongolia’s 21 provinces were still suffering a dzud.

For more:

90% of Mongolia At "High Risk" Of Dzud; Powerful Nor-Easter Takes Aim; Cold Pakistan; Northern Hemisphere Snow Mass Above 1982-2012 Average; + M9 Solar Flare

"Gulmarg Looks Like Antarctica!"

Snow has buried India's northern states, with heavy falls hitting the likes of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

"Gulmarg looks like Antarctica!" reports pipanews.com, after "feet of accumulated snow" hit there. The photos look truly stunning:

While picturesque, conditions are proving disruptive for motorists hundreds of road closures and severe jams reported across the region — with “men and machinery deployed for snow clearance":

“Heavy snow blankets Gulmarg, men and machinery deployed for snow clearance” — News Bulletin on X