Forecasts from Mikhail Leus, a forecaster at the Phobos center, indicate that the dense fog over Moscow is expected to lift by around morning hours, with visibility improving as the day begins. His assessment guides updates from RIA News, reflecting a transition from low morning visibility to clearer conditions later in the day.
Leus notes an expansion of incidental fog across the European portion of Russia, a blanket that has reduced visibility to roughly 100–200 meters in several areas. This type of fog, known as advection fog, forms when warm, moist air moves over cooler surfaces and cools enough to condense into visible moisture. The result is a hazy start to the day that can complicate travel and outdoor activities until temperatures rise and the air stabilizes.
Earlier, Tatyana Pozdnyakova, the chief expert forecaster at the capital’s meteorological bureau, addressed the emergence of freezing fog in the Moscow region. Her observations highlighted a shift in atmospheric conditions that produced persistent ice crystals near the surface, a pattern that tightens visibility and can threaten road safety as temperatures drop below freezing.
In particular, Pozdnyakova reported fog banks in the Moscow, Tver, and Kaluga regions, with visibility shrinking to about 300–500 meters in several locations. Such conditions underline the importance of local monitoring, as even modest temperature fluctuations can sustain dense fog for extended periods, affecting commuting and logistic planning across the western part of the country.
The situation grew more alarming near Domodedovo, where freezing fog was observed under notably low temperatures. In those pockets, visibility did not exceed 50 meters, presenting a serious challenge for pilots and ground crews. Despite the intense conditions reported online, the airport’s official scoreboard indicated that there were no operational violations at that time, suggesting careful management of safety procedures amid the reduced visibility.
Looking at the bigger picture, scientists have long explored natural fogs and their broader implications for the atmosphere. Notably, some researchers have proposed theories around organic mist phenomena as clues to early Earth conditions, offering ideas about how life might have emerged under foggy, mist-laden environments millions of years ago. While these notions remain speculative, they contribute to a broader conversation about atmospheric processes and their possible links to the origins of life, showing how weather phenomena can intersect with long-standing scientific questions.