Severe Snowfall Covers 90% of Mongolia, Extreme Cold Grips Provinces

Nearly 90 percent of Mongolia’s territory has been covered by snow up to 45 centimeters thick, according to the country’s National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring. At least nine out of Mongolia’s 21 provinces are currently facing an extreme cold condition known as dzud, while another 16 provinces are close to experiencing similar conditions.

Dzud is a Mongolian term that refers to severe winter conditions in which extreme cold, frozen ground, or heavy snow leads to the death of large numbers of livestock. Mongolia is known for its harsh continental climate, characterized by long, freezing winters and short summers.