The Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar is claimed to be the coldest national capital in the world with temperatures falling to a numbing -30 Celsius and below. Today (22 July), the temperature has reached a record-breaking 33 Celsius in Ulaanbaatar after week of heavy rain and flooding. The Metrological agency has warned people of the potential hazard to health.

However, temperatures will drop to 18-25 Celsius from tomorrow and more heavy rains are expected.

Wedged between Russia and China, Mongolia’s climate is classified as ‘extreme continental’.  As in many countries around the world, climate change is resulting in new records becoming the norm: apart from today’s temperature, the country has been undergoing unprecedented rainfall and flooding – this seems set to continue.