From -50°C to Slush: Siberian’s Guide To Survive Moscow “Warmth”

For those of us living in Russia, the concept of "winter" varies drastically depending on.

When international students and foreigners think of Russia, they imagine an endless winter, bears on the streets, and people drinking hot tea to survive crazy negative temperatures. But for those of us living in this country, the concept of "winter" varies drastically depending on the longitude. Moscow, with its mild European winter, is often laughed at by northern residents. However, many students who move to the capital from Siberia or the Urals, find themselves facing an unexpected enemy: the humidity.

To understand the difference between the "crisp frost" of the North and the "bone-chilling dampness" of the capital, we sat down with Vlad, a second-year student from KhMAO (Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug). He shared his experience of trading the dry Siberian freeze for Moscow’s unpredictable slush and explained why he wears more clothes here than he ever did at home.

The Moscow Winter Survival Kit: 5 Essentials

Vlad compiled a "Starter Pack" for anyone moving to the capital. The secret to surviving the Moscow winter lies in adapting your daily habits to the city's unique climate challenges.

1. Portable Charger: The quick temperature shifts and the inherent cold severely drain smartphone batteries. As a student, you constantly rely on mapping apps and checking public transport schedules. A power bank is an essential hack against getting lost or missing a bus with a dead phone in the sub-zero chill.
2. Intensive Moisturizer and Lip Balm: While the air outside is humid, the powerful central heating systems inside all HSE buildings and dorms create an intensely dry environment. This difference quickly leads to chapped lips, dry hands, and irritated facial skin. Moisturize like your life depends on it.
3. Waterproof Footwear: Abandon any thoughts of wearing leather in winter. Moscow sidewalks are heavily treated with aggressive chemical reagents that melt ice but create a pervasive, corrosive brown slush. Invest in sturdy boots with excellent water resistance to keep your feet dry and protect your footwear from damage.
4. Master Layering Strategy: The key to surviving Moscow is temperature regulation. You transition constantly from the extreme cold outside to the stuffy warmth of the Metro and classrooms. Wear three layers: a thermal base, a middle insulating layer, and a windproof, waterproof outer shell. This allows you to quickly adjust your clothing to avoid overheating and subsequent chilling.
5. Fruits, Vegetables, and Vitamin D: The "Gray Depression" hits hard when the sky remains gray for weeks. The lack of natural sunlight impacts mood and immunity. Boost your diet with fresh produce, especially traditional Russian winter staples like cabbage and root vegetables. Crucially, consult a doctor about taking Vitamin D supplements to compensate for the significant lack of sun exposure.

Hi Vlad! Let’s start with the basics. Where are you from, and what is a typical winter like there?

Hi there! I’m from a tiny town in KhMAO. It is roughly in the center of Russia, just east of the Ural Mountains. When we talk about winter there, we aren't joking. A "normal" winter day is somewhere between -25°C and -30°C. But every year, usually in January or February, we have weeks where it drops to -45°C or even -50°C. When the temperature was that low, we were excused from school

It sounds terrifying to people in Moscow or Europe, but it’s actually quite beautiful. The air is extremely dry, the sky is always bright blue and sunny, and there is usually no wind. The snow is pure white and crunches loudly under your boots. When you breathe, your eyelashes instantly freeze and turn white, but you don't feel the cold deep inside your bones immediately, but sometimes it hurts to breathe. It’s a very sharp cold.

And then you moved to Moscow. What was your first impression of the climate here?

I moved here in late August, so everything was fine at first. But when November came, I experienced a shock. I remember walking outside. The thermometer said it was only -5°C. In Siberia, at -5°C, I would probably go to the store in an unbuttoned jacket. So, I dressed lightly. I froze within ten minutes, unfortunately.

The problem with Moscow is the humidity and the wind. Moscow is basically a swamp that has dried up. The humidity is constantly around 80-90%. When the wind blows, that moist air cuts right through your jeans and jacket

You mentioned the humidity earlier. Does that affect anything other than how cold you feel?

Absolutely. It destroys your health. In KhMAO, I rarely got "little" sicknesses. You either have a serious flu or you are healthy. I noticed that my immune system was confused by the Moscow winter. It’s a breeding ground for viruses because it hovers around 0°C. In Siberia, at -30°C, bacteria and viruses freeze and die. The air is almost sterile. Here, the slush is alive. I actually take more vitamins here than I did in the North.

That sounds unpleasant. Did you have to change your wardrobe?

Surprisingly, not really. In my hometown, when it hits -40°C, you learn to appreciate high-quality outerwear - thermal layers, and proper wool. I brought all of that with me. Even though the thermometer here rarely drops below -15°C, the wind chill makes it feel incredibly harsh.

Speaking of light, KhMAO is further north. Does that mean your days are shorter there?

Yes, in December, we have very short daylight hours, much shorter than in Moscow. But we also have the "White Nights" in summer, which are even brighter than in St. Petersburg. However, the darkness in KhMAO feels different because of the white snow reflecting the road lamps and the moonlight. Even at night, it feels somewhat bright. In Moscow, when there is no snow or when the snow is dirty, the darkness feels heavier.

Is there anything you prefer about the Moscow climate?

Definitely the duration of the extreme cold. I’m used to winter lasting 7 or 8 months. Snow can fall in September and stay until June. It can be exhausting. In Moscow spring actually exists. By April, everything is blooming. In KhMAO, April is still very much winter.

What do you do for fun in the winter here? In Siberia, you mentioned it’s beautiful, but what about the "gray" Moscow?

Since there is no sun in Moscow, the city compensates for this with decorations. Gorky Park and VDNKh are simply stunning in winter. In Siberia, we often skate on frozen rivers or lakes. Here, the rinks are perfectly smooth, there's music, coffee and lights. It's a very ‘civilised’ winter. Last year, I forced myself to go skating at VDNKh during exam week. I thought I didn't have time, but skating in this bright, festive atmosphere actually cured my seasonal depression better than sleep. You have to force yourself to go outside. If you just walk from your dorm to the metro, to the university and back, the greyness will eat you alive.

What advice would you give to a freshman coming to Moscow from Siberia or the Urals?

Do not underestimate -10°C in Moscow. Wear a hat and a scarf. In Siberia, we often ignore scarves because the air is still. Here, the wind will punish you if you leave your neck exposed. And accept the grayness. Find cozy coffee shops, visit museums, and surround yourself with friends. You need to survive a lack of sun, not just some cold. If you can handle that, you’ll be fine.

Every student has their own unique strategy for battling the pervasive "Gray Depression" and the relentless, wet Moscow wind. Vlad, our guide from KhMAO, swears by the power of high-quality, layered outerwear and daily supplements of Vitamin D to compensate for the significant lack of natural sunlight. But what about you?

We’ve shared tips on surviving winter with waterproof footwear, managing battery drain with a portable charge , and fighting the indoor dryness with intensive moisturizer. But these are just tools. The real key is your personal resilience.

Do not allow the seemingly endless winter landscape and the heavy gray sky to lock you inside your warm dorm room. Moscow offers a "civilized" winter, full of brightly lit parks and festive skating rinks, even when the natural light fails you. Use Vlad's insightful tips, adapt them to your own routine, and take ownership of the next few months. Find your cozy coffee shops, visit those museums, and surround yourself with friends to survive the lack of sun.

Get out there, explore the city, and make this winter season genuinely your own unforgettable HSE experience. Stay warm, stay healthy, and conquer winter, HSE!