Buran or Burga

Location: Central Asia, Siberia and Alaska

A strong cold north-easterly wind creating extreme blizzard conditions during winter. The Buran occurs most frequently in Mongolia and Siberia and Buran winds are are strong and full of ice and snow. The skies is often laden with snow which swirls about and reduces the visibility to near zero at times.


This Buran is much feared in the region and can be persistent and close passes for weeks as it blows. Over the tundra it is also known as Purga . In Alaska this severe north-easterly wind is known as Burga bringing snow and ice pellets.