From Wednesday through Sunday, residents across the Northwestern and Volga Federal Districts, along with the northern and central areas of the Central Federal District, should brace for an unusually intense cold snap. The Scientific Director of the Russian Hydrometeorological Center, Roman Vilfand, noted that temperatures will dip well below typical seasonal norms. This sharp decline, he explained, will push readings roughly 7 to 14 degrees Celsius lower than what is normally expected for this time of year. Source: Russian Hydrometeorological Center
Across several regions, the lowest values are forecast to push the mercury down to as low as -30°C in Murmansk and Vologda, about -32°C in Arkhangelsk, Nenets Autonomous Okrug, and the Komi Republic, with the Leningrad region also seeing sub-zero temperatures intensify to the -19 to -26°C range. These figures indicate a true Arctic bite lingering into the weekend. Source: Russian Hydrometeorological Center
In the Central Federal District, including Vladimir, Ivanovo, and Smolensk, as well as the Kostroma, Moscow, Tver, and Yaroslavl regions, forecasts show temperatures dropping 7 to 12°C below what is normal, with minimums anticipated between -18°C and -26°C. The Ryazan, Kaluga, and Tula regions are also expected to endure values 7 to 8°C below normal, with nightly lows in the vicinity of -17°C to -22°C. Such readings add up to a prolonged chill that will demand extra care for vulnerable populations and infrastructure. Source: Russian Hydrometeorological Center
Meanwhile, the Volga Federal District is set for a 7 to 9°C departure below normal from Wednesday to Sunday. Frosts ranging from -18°C to -26°C are forecast for the Kirov and Nizhny Novgorod regions, as well as for the Mari El, Chuvashia, Mordovia, and Tatarstan republics. Vilfand stressed that the coming days will be extremely cold and advisable preparations should be completed in advance to limit exposure risks and energy strain. Source: Russian Hydrometeorological Center
Earlier reports pointed to Moscow as a location under the influence of this cold spell and noted a potential record snowfall linked to Hurricane Olga. As meteorologists continue to monitor conditions, meteorologist Shuvalov added that the frequency of natural hazards in Russia is expected to rise, underscoring the importance of staying informed and taking appropriate precautions. Source: Russian Hydrometeorological Center