Forecasting experts at the METEO forecast center say that heavy snowfall in Russia is a regular seasonal event and should not be read as a signal of climate change. This interpretation has circulated through a Telegram channel that reported the information in circulation at the time.
Looking at weather patterns over extended periods shows that Russia has experienced winters with substantial snow in the past, and recent conditions are being weighed against that historical context. The message emphasizes that one harsh season does not automatically imply a long term trend away from typical variability in winter weather.
Officials anticipate that January will probably bring significant snowfall, though they do not expect Epiphany frosts to be unusually severe. The outlook suggests continued wintry conditions with persistent snow cover rather than abrupt midwinter thaw.
In related projections, a former scientific director of the national hydrometeorological service indicated that Moscow could see daytime temperatures surpassing the freezing point on Sunday, December 17. The trend toward mild spells, if they occur, would be temporary and interspersed with returning cold intervals.
Similarly, it is forecast that temperatures above 0°C may appear again on Monday, December 18, as a brief break from consistently cold weather. The meteorology team notes that the snowpack accumulated during the weekend is unlikely to melt quickly and may endure into the New Year, contributing to the capital’s persistent wintry appearance.
Forecasts suggest that snowdrifts in Moscow could reach around 40 to 45 centimeters by the end of the weekend, a level that would surpass historical records set in 1919 and 1941. Such projections underscore a period of unusually deep snow cover for the city, rather than a sudden climate-driven shift in seasonal norms.
Earlier, the head of a prominent meteorological center predicted that a severe weather event nicknamed Hurricane Vanya could reach Moscow toward the end of the workweek, bringing snowdrifts approaching half a meter in some areas. This expectation aligns with typical winter storm dynamics, where strong winds combine with fresh snowfall to amplify drifts in exposed locations.
Additionally, a veteran meteorologist offered a broader forecast noting a potential uptick in the frequency of natural disasters within the country. That analysis highlights the ongoing importance of monitoring climate-related indicators, while recognizing that singular events do not alone define the overall climate trajectory.