Thought the darkest moment in Russia’s history was over with Stalin’s death. Think again? It appears that last December- yes the year-ending month of 2017- was the darkest month in the entire history of Russia. Between day and night, there’s this thing called afternoon. Russia, didn’t have pretty much of either- mornings and afternoons- last month. It is believed and now widely being reported that for much of December, there was no direct sunlight in Russia.
While some skeptics might have debunked this bit of news but now Russian weather site Meteonovosti recently reported a bit of a shocker. While the sun doesn’t really shine for about 18 hours on an average in the brooding cold month of December, last year in 2017 there was no direct sunlight and only snow for most of December.
So bitingly or achingly cold was the Russian weather in the bygone month that in some places such as Tomtor village, temperatures dropped to an unbearable -65 degrees. Houses and huts- both completely decked in snow and cars only existing as relics from another age, immobile, enveloped by snow, much of Russia was about cold, arrogant weather. In lighter vein, the two things one wouldn’t desire doing during December would be to pick up a fight with a Russian or think of buying a T-shirt or skin-dipping lingerie.
It is also reported that near-record lows were recorded across several regions of Russia with the weather in regions like Yakutsk going as low as -50 degrees. It’s easy to understand why most of Russia would’ve piled on some happy kilos in December. With one being pretty much homebound thanks to the skirmish and blithe of brutally cold weather, what else would one do other than consuming cheese or vodka? But on a serious note, things got as worse as local residents posting pictures on social media with snow covering their eyebrows. No makeup needed then?
But truth be told, not everyone was jaded by the massive envelope of snow in Russia. Those who are sporting and athletic in nature took to skating rinks to flex some muscles and stretch out a bit. But a thought goes out to Russia’s wild. What would’ve happened to its vast majority of deers, bears, birds, wolves and even tigers? 2018 might just get more animated during winters given the way climate is changing.