The temperature is expected to fall to -50 Celsius (-58 deg Fahrenheit) in northern parts of Mongolia next week. Snow is currently falling in all parts of Mongolia and  expected to continue until 29^th of December. Above average snowfall already covers much of the country and an estimated that 70% of the territory will have a very harsh winter.

The National Emergency Management Agency and Research Institute for Hydrology and Meteorology of Mongolia  has issued a  'Dzud' alert  in 110 soums (districts) of 13 provinces.  'Dzud' (sometimes written 'zud') is the Mongolian word given to unusually harsh winter conditions which can devastate the herds of animals upon which the large nomadic population depends. There are different types of 'dzud'; in this case, the deep snow makes it difficult for the animals to eat.