The semi-permanent high pressure area that forms over Siberia during the winter. The average central pressure exceeds 1030 millibars from late November to early March. It is characterized by clear, dry weather. Over southern Asia, the predominate surface wind is northeasterly, just the opposite of the predominate summer winds which bring the monsoon.
The Siberian High is a massive collection of cold or very cold dry air that accumulates on the Eurasian terrain for much of the year. It reaches its greatest size and strength in the winter, when the air temperature near the center of the high-pressure cell or anticyclone is often lower than minus 40 degrees Celsius (minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit). The sea-level pressure (atmospheric pressure) is often above 1040 millibars (1040 hectopascals) (hPa) (SI).