Forecasts show Moscow facing a brutal cold snap early in the new year. From January 6 to 10, temperatures are expected to plunge to as low as minus 29 degrees Celsius, marking what meteorologists describe as the coldest five days of the 21st century in the capital. This assessment comes from Roman Vilfand, director of the Russian Hydrometeorological Center, who emphasizes the unusual severity of the stretch ahead.
Before the onset of this deep freeze, Moscow is projected to experience notably chilly but not extreme conditions, with daytime readings around minus two to minus six degrees Celsius. Still, the atmosphere will shift rapidly as January unfolds, bringing an abrupt intensification in frost levels.
Vilfand notes that the first day of the cold spell, January 6, will bring a sharp drop in temperatures. Daytime values are expected to hover around minus eighteen to minus twenty degrees, while nights will see temperatures sinking to roughly minus twenty-two degrees. The cold is forecast to tighten further in the following days, with nighttime temperatures approaching minus twenty-seven degrees on Christmas night and dipping to minus twenty-nine degrees by January 8. Daytime temperatures during this period are expected to remain around minus twenty degrees.
According to the weather authority, this sequence will be the most severe five-day period observed since the start of the century, underscoring the unusual persistence of the cold air mass over the region. Prolonged exposure to such extreme cold is considered a dangerous meteorological phenomenon because it can distort the usual temperature baseline for several days. The forecast highlights a potential deviation of around 15 degrees below the climate norm during the peak of this event.
Officials caution that after January 10 the temperatures should begin to rise again, though the pace of recovery will depend on the evolving air mass and regional dynamics. The expectation is for gradual warming as the week ends, bringing respite to residents and infrastructure after days of extreme cold.
In related notes, midwinter records show signals of unusual warmth at the very start of January. In the early hours of January 2, Moscow recorded an unusually high air temperature of plus 6.2 degrees Celsius, a record figure not seen since 2007. This juxtaposition of extreme warmth followed by an intense cold spell illustrates the volatility of winter weather in the capital and the broader region, reminding residents and planners to stay prepared for rapid shifts in conditions.
Officials stress practical guidance for residents during such weather. Adequate insulation, proper winter clothing, and careful planning for travel and outdoor activity become essential when the forecast calls for several days of subfreezing temperatures. Community services and emergency responders remain vigilant in monitoring road conditions, public safety, and power supply, recognizing that extreme cold can strain infrastructure and daily routines alike.