In the winter of 2019, I lived above the Arctic Circle for a while. I moved in with a Sámi family in Northern Norway to learn about Sámi culture and reindeer herding.

I had never seen so much snow. Everywhere I look is white with snow. In the Netherlands it barely gets below 0C°, but here I got to experience temperatures that dropped down to -40C°.

Lots of people have asked me what it’s like to be outside in -40C°, and they are always surprised to hear my answer: it really isn’t so much different than -20C°. Don’t get me wrong though, -20C° is freezing cold! It’s just because -20C° is already so cold, that everything below that didn't really feel any different. I learned to dress for it. There they learn to dress in many layers, to wear wool etc., as a child. Growing up in the Netherlands, I was of course lacking a bit of knowledge in this field. So I was happy to accept all the help I got.

With my new wool socks, Sorel shoes, warm jacket, borrowed pants and hat, I was ready to go outside. -40C° is in a way different from -20C° though. -40C° means that you are able to make instant snow yourself! Wait… What?? Apparently, if you throw boiling water up in air colder than about -30C°, it will instantly turn into snow!

How to make snow from boiling water?

I really love snow. So of course, I had to try making my own! We boiled up some water and poured it into a thermos. I was told to throw it up in the air and that I would see it turn into snow. I was a bit hesitant at first. Throwing boiling water over your head goes against all my natural safety instincts. I carefully started to throw some water on my side. It was like magic. The boiling water instantly transformed into snow!

It takes a bit of practice to get the perfect picture. (see some of my failed throws below). If you ever get the chance to experience temperatures -30C°, make sure to boil some water, (be careful) and try it yourself!