A sheepherder is seen with his herd in Delgertsogt soum, Dundgov province, Mongolia, Jan. 25, 2026. (Photo by Bolortsetseg/Xinhua)

ULAN BATOR, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- About 90 percent of Mongolian territory has been covered with snow of up to 45 cm thick, the country's National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring said Sunday.

"At least nine of all the 21 Mongolian provinces have been experiencing extreme wintry weather, known as "dzud," the weather monitoring agency said in a statement.

In addition, 16 provinces are experiencing near-dzud conditions, it added.

Dzud is a Mongolian term to describe a severely cold winter when a large number of livestock die because the ground is frozen or covered with snow.

Mongolia is known for its harsh continental climate, marked by long, frigid winters and short summers. ■

Horsemen are seen in Erdene soum, Tuv province, Mongolia, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Bolortsetseg/Xinhua)

Horses gallop across the snowy prairie of Erdene soum, Tuv province, Mongolia, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Bolortsetseg/Xinhua)