More Than 70% Of Russia Blanketed In Snow; Record Cold U.S., Early Snows Sweep The Peaks; New Study: "Recent Surge In Global Warming Not Detectable"; + Sunspot 3856

Verkhoyansk, Russia saw -33.2C (-27.8F) this morning, making for the coldest temperature so early in the season since 1989.

More Than 70% Of Russia Blanketed In Snow

As of mid-October, over 70% of Russia is now blanketed in snow, with fresh accumulations recently covering the Urals and parts of Southern and Eastern Siberia.

Early accumulations of snow have been reported in areas like Yakutia, Magadan, Chukotka, Taimyr, and Yamal, signaling winter's rapid advance across the country.

These early-October snows have been accompanied by significant temperature drops and all. In Eastern Siberia, temperatures have already fallen to -11 to -16C (12.2 to 3.2F), while the Urals and Southern Siberia have seen frosts nearing -10C (14F).

Further to the north’s biting cold reported yesterday, temps have sank even further:

This morning (Oct 17), Verkhoyansk saw -33.2C (-27.8F), the coldest temperature so early in October since 1989, when it reached -33.4C (-28.1F) on the same date, and also the lowest temp of the season in the Northern Hemisphere (excluding Greenland).

Other regions in Russia also tanked below -30C, with Sebyan-Kyuyol at -31.2C (-24.2F) and Batagay-Alyta at -30.1C (-22.2F).