Western Russia vs. Siberia: Climate Comparison

The premise is incorrect: Western Russia's climate is milder and more maritime than Siberia's, not "better" in absolute terms.

Why Western Russia Is Milder

• Atlantic influence: Gulf Stream / North Atlantic Drift brings warm, moist air.
• Lower latitude: Moscow ~55° N vs. Yakutsk ~62° N.
• Less continentality: Proximity to ocean dampens seasonal extremes.

Siberia's Extreme Continental Climate

• Winter avg. –25 to –40 °C (–13 to –40 °F); record –67.8 °C (–90 °F) at Oymyakon.
• Summer brief but can reach +30 °C (86 °F) → 70–100 °C annual swing.
• Permafrost underlies 65% of territory.

"Better" depends on context: agriculture favors European Russia; resource extraction (diamonds, gas) drives Siberian economy.