More than two thousand trucks found themselves stalled along the Verkhniy Lars border crossing between Russia and Georgia as severe weather worsened conditions. Reports from the republic’s traffic management center confirm the disruption, highlighting the scale of the backlog at this critical checkpoint.
Official data from the North Ossetia data center indicates the current situation is calm on the ground in terms of queue length within the green zones, yet the overall traffic flow remains heavily constrained by the weather. Total queueing remains a key concern for freight operators and travelers alike, as cold air and drifting snow complicate logistics planning.
Weather monitoring services show a sharp fall in temperatures at the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint, with readings dropping to minus 10 degrees Celsius and wind gusts reaching up to 26 kilometers per hour. These conditions increase the risk for drivers, slow down cargo movement, and heighten the need for road maintenance and safety measures along the route.
Roman Vilfand, who previously served as the scientific director of the Russian Hydrometeorological Center, notes that residents of Moscow and its surroundings should prepare for continued cold spells, with the possibility of light frost, sleet, and occasional light snowfall over the coming weekend. The forecast underscores the ongoing need for winter preparedness as temperatures fluctuate across the region.
During the day, temperatures may linger around minus five degrees Celsius, with nighttime readings dropping to between minus ten and minus fifteen degrees. Forecasters also warn that next week could bring a dramatic shift in weather patterns, signaling a March thaw that could alter driving conditions and ease some of the current travel restrictions in the capital and beyond.
In a separate regional update, a separate rescue operation on Sakhalin Island highlighted ongoing winter challenges when a man spent two nights trapped in his vehicle due to heavy snowfall. The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of the season and the enduring need for emergency preparedness among travelers in remote areas.