An unusual cold snap is forecast to sweep several parts of Russia in the coming days, with air temperatures dipping 5 to 13 degrees Celsius below long-term norms. This warning comes from the Hydrometeorological Center of the Russian Federation, as reported by TASS.
According to the center, a cluster of regions in the Northwestern and Far Eastern federal districts should prepare for noticeably colder conditions. Residents of the Urals and Siberia are also advised to brace for chillier weather.
In the Northwest Federal District, from April 3 to April 6, the Arkhangelsk region is expected to experience temperatures 7 to 9 degrees Celsius below normal, with frosts reaching 20 to 21 degrees Celsius.
Forecasts indicate that the Nenets Autonomous Okrug could see readings between minus 17 and minus 25 degrees, while in the Komi Republic temperatures may plunge to minus 25 degrees.
From April 3 to April 7, residents of the Murmansk region and the Republic of Karelia are projected to endure cold snaps with temperatures as low as minus 23 and minus 18 degrees, respectively, with deviations from normal values estimated at 6 to 11 degrees.
Frost is also anticipated in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug within the Urals, where the period of April 3 to April 6 could see temperatures from minus 25 to minus 28 degrees, about 8 to 13 degrees below standard norms.
Across Siberia, the Irkutsk region and the Taimyr Peninsula are set to experience severe cold, with thermometers registering minus 23 and minus 32 degrees. In the northern part of Yakutia, in the Far Eastern Federal District, temperatures may drop to minus 33 degrees, with a deviation from typical values of 5 to 9 degrees.
The public is advised to monitor local forecasts closely and take appropriate precautions for travel, heating, and outdoor activities as these conditions unfold. Experts emphasize that while unusually cold weather returns, it is a transient meteorological event tied to arctic air masses moving across the country.
As for the broader question of a hot summer in 2024, forecasters note that seasonal patterns can be highly variable, and it would be premature to draw conclusions from a single cold spell. Historical data suggests that seasonal shifts depend on a complex interplay of atmospheric and oceanic factors, including air masses, jet stream positions, and regional climate trends. Citizens are encouraged to stay informed through official weather updates and to prepare for rapid changes in temperature as conditions evolve.