A stretch of the M-12 Vostok highway was temporarily closed to traffic. This update came from the state company Avtodor through its official telegram channel. The notice explained that the closure was necessary due to severe weather conditions, and it specified that vehicles are not yet permitted to use the segment from 684 to 836 kilometers, running from Kanash to Shali.
Earlier, in Anzhero-Sudzhensk, residents witnessed a weather anomaly after a thunderstorm rolled through. Eyewitnesses captured video of the event, showing a powerful lightning display as the storm advanced. On the night of January 14, a storm front moved across the Kemerovo region, prompting many to record the dramatic weather on their devices. The footage documented frequent thunderclaps and vivid lightning strikes during the period of the storm’s passage.
Forecasters attributed the storm to a sharp rise in air temperatures and strong winds that swept through the area. Officials noted that daytime temperatures in the Kemerovo region climbed to around 6 degrees Celsius, while precipitation occurred in the form of rain mixed with sleet. This combination of warmth and moisture created unstable atmospheric conditions that contributed to the intensity of the storm and its accompanying phenomena.
In the days leading up to the event, weather observers and analysts emphasized the potential for unusual or extreme weather patterns. Natalya Poluektova, who heads a department at the hydrometeorological center, highlighted the rapid warming that occurred during the day and the resulting shift in weather dynamics. Her assessment underscored how a modest increase in temperature, coupled with moisture in the air, can lead to sudden changes in wind speed and precipitation type, especially in regions prone to rapid weather transitions.
Former weather forecaster Roman Vilfand also warned about the possibility of upcoming weather anomalies, cautioning residents to stay alert for rapid shifts in conditions. His remarks reflected a broader concern among meteorological professionals about the increasing likelihood of abrupt, stormy weather events as seasonal patterns continue to evolve. The situation in the Kuzbass region, including Anzhero-Sudzhensk, served as a case study in how meteorologists anticipate and communicate evolving weather risks to the public, authorities, and transportation networks. [citation attribution]