Forecasts show rain in Moscow on October 6 with authorities urging drivers to observe the posted speed limits on the morning of October 7. The advisory appeared on the Deptrans.Operatively Telegram channel, which links to the capital’s Traffic Management Center and its daily situation briefings. The message makes clear that drivers should plan for wetter roads and slower speeds as preparations for the day shift begin. In practice, that means more careful lane changes, increased following distance, and an awareness of the potential for sudden changes in road surface as rain intensifies in the late hours of the evening. City officials emphasize that the Telegram channel is a conduit for official traffic updates that help people adjust their commutes in real time.
Weather forecasters warn that heavy rain is expected this evening and tomorrow morning. Drivers are urged to be cautious, avoid sudden maneuvers, and refrain from using phones while behind the wheel. The advisory notes that focusing on the road and anticipating slick patches can significantly reduce the risk of skidding or loss of control. As traffic systems across the city continue to respond to changing conditions, motorists are advised to slow down and maintain extra space between vehicles, especially on approaches to junctions and on elevated road sections where water tends to pool. The message stresses practical safety steps and the importance of keeping attention on driving rather than on a screen.
The situation is monitored around the clock by the Situation Center and the Traffic Police Traffic Patrol, which coordinate updates for road conditions and incident management. This continuous monitoring aims to provide timely alerts about resource deployment, accident response, and weather-related hazards so that drivers can plan alternative routes if necessary. The level of vigilance underscores the city’s commitment to keeping traffic moving safely even when nature turns stormy.
Evgeniy Tishkovets, a leading expert at the Phobos meteorological center, states that as the night unfolds, Moscow may see up to 20 millimeters of rain. Such rainfall amounts can quickly saturate surfaces, increase hydroplaning risk, and reduce visibility. The expert notes that rainfall may peak during Monday night, underscoring the need for caution for anyone traveling late in the evening and into the early hours of the morning.
The forecaster adds that temperatures on Monday will range between plus 15 degrees Celsius and plus 18 degrees Celsius. Rain is expected to continue, though its intensity will decrease notably as the night progresses. The cooling trend that accompanies the lingering showers can lead to damp, slick pavement in the early morning hours, which drivers should anticipate even after the heaviest rainfall passes.
Tishkovets also points out that up to 29 millimeters of rainfall could accumulate in a single day, a figure that corresponds to roughly 41 percent of Moscow’s monthly norm. This projection highlights the unusually heavy rainfall expected for the period and reinforces the necessity for prepared transportation plans, careful speed management, and attention to changing road surfaces as the day unfolds.
Roman Vilfand, formerly the scientific director of the Russian Hydrometeorological Center, notes that if the predictions hold, Moscow could witness a striking natural phenomenon—the northern lights may be visible on the night of October 6. The possibility of auroral display adds an extra layer of intrigue to a day already shaped by wet roads and shifting weather patterns. For observers, Vilfand suggests locating a vantage point with minimal artificial lighting and a clear view to the north, while stressing that there is no need to leave the city confines to catch a glimpse if conditions cooperate.
The prospect of seeing the aurora is tempered by practical realities, and observers are reminded that the primary risk during rain remains the driving hazard. On a night when low visibility and slick surfaces converge, the most dangerous factor for a car is the combination of reduced traction and limited visibility. Drivers are encouraged to prioritize safe handling, proper tire grip, and cautious acceleration and braking to navigate the rain with less risk.