|
Winter in Mongolia is dominated by the arctic Siberian High which typically lies southwest of Lake Baikal, virtually atop the Mongolia's northern border with Russia. The Siberian High extends only 1 to 2 km (3,200 to 6,500 ft) above the surface, but it gives Mongolia the highest atmospheric pressure in the world during the winter. Simply stated, winter in Mongolia is no joke. From mid-October until about mid-May, Siberia covers the land with a polar air mass, and temperatures as low as -50°C (-58°F) are not unknown in some parts of the country. Even in the Gobi Desert in southern Mongolia, winter temperatures drop to around -30°C (-22°F) and below. Adding to the misery of such weather, sudden snowstorms sweeping across Mongolia can literally bring the entire country to a virtual halt.
|
