This anticyclone is expected to bring an influx of Arctic air masses, resulting in a noticeable decrease in air temperature.
After a relatively mild start to winter, this situation will herald a period of sustained cold typical of Arctic air masses. A significant drop in temperature is also forecasted for Kyrgyzstan and neighboring countries, especially in mountainous areas and at night, although the most severe frosts are expected in the north.
In northern and eastern Kazakhstan, nighttime temperatures are expected to drop to -30…-38 °C, along with increased winds with gusts reaching 25–28 m/s.
What you need to know about the anticyclone:
Type of anticyclone
This refers to the Arctic (or Siberian-Arctic) anticyclone, which forms over the Arctic regions and northern parts of Russia. Its distinctive feature is cold, dry, and dense air that lingers in one place for an extended period as it moves south.
Duration of the cold period
Such anticyclones typically bring not short-term cold spells but sustained frosts lasting 5-10 days, especially during clear nights with minimal wind.
Nighttime frosts
During the day, temperatures may seem quite comfortable; however, nighttime and morning hours will be the coldest—this is due to radiative cooling under clear skies.
Dangerous consequences:
- risk of hypothermia and frostbite;
- increased load on energy systems;
- likelihood of freezing in water supply systems and heating networks;
- deterioration of conditions on mountain roads and passes.
Specifics for Central Asia
In this region, the cold may be felt more intensely due to dry air, even if temperatures are formally higher than in northern countries. In mountainous areas, temperature inversions may occur, where it is colder in the valleys than higher up the slopes.
Why the New Siberian Islands are mentioned
This region often becomes a source of strong winter anticyclones, as stable high-pressure areas form there, capable of "pushing" cold air far south, all the way to Central Asia.
