Finland's -44C cold instantly freezes boiling water

Amid Finland's record-breaking low temperatures this week, a tourist visiting the Arctic tested a captivating phenomenon: transforming boiling water into a cloud of icy dust in extreme cold. This spectacle, however, is only safe to attempt in the rare, frigid conditions found in few places on Earth.

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Lauri Untamo, a 49-year-old sales manager from southern Finland, experienced this firsthand while vacationing in Finnish Lapland with friends. On New Year's Day, as temperatures plunged to minus 30 degrees Celsius (-22°F), he seized the opportunity to try the trick he had seen in videos but never had the chance to attempt.

Untamo recounted to Reuters how he boiled water in his cabin, quickly took it outside, and flung it overhead in an arc. Fortunately, he emerged unscathed as the water instantly transformed into an icy cloud and drifted away.

The past few days have brought exceptionally cold weather to the Nordic countries, with Enontekio, north of Pyhatunturi where Untamo was staying, recording its lowest temperature in 25 years at minus 44.3 C (-47.74°F) on Friday.

Despite the freezing conditions, Untamo and his friends have been relishing outdoor activities like Nordic skiing and snowy forest walks.

The group was also treated to the awe-inspiring Northern Lights on several nights. "Lapland has really shown its best to us this week," Untamo remarked.