Moscow Faces Deep Frost as Experts Predict Return to Normal Temperatures by Next Weekend
Moscow has been in the grips of an unusually severe cold snap, according to Evgeny Tishkovets, a leading expert at the Phobos weather center. He explained to the Public News Service that it will take until the next weekend for the city’s temperature patterns to swing back toward normal climate levels. The forecast suggests that by December 14 and 15, the city should see a return to typical seasonal averages after days marked by unusually low temperatures.
Specifically, the midweek period is expected to bring very cold nights and crisp days. During the first working week, nights are projected to linger at about minus 13 to minus 18 degrees Celsius, with daytime readings hovering around minus 8 to minus 13 degrees. While these figures are still well below seasonal norms, forecasters anticipate a gradual shift toward typical December conditions as the weekend approaches, bringing some relief from the ongoing chill.
This pattern of intense frosts follows a broader narrative in which Moscow has experienced several extremely cold nights. Earlier, Mikhail Leus, another prominent expert from the Phobos weather center, noted on his Telegram channel that January 6 marked one of the coldest nights this winter in the capital. The report from Podmoskovye Segodnya highlighted that at 7 am the city’s main weather station, VDNH, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 22.6 degrees Celsius. That temperature tops the early-season cold records for the city, underscoring the unusually frigid spell currently in effect.
Leus also pointed out that the surrounding region has felt the cold acutely, with the Taldom area recording temperatures as low as minus 26.1 degrees Celsius. The concentration of such extreme cold in Moscow’s periphery underscores the scale of the cold wave affecting the broader Moscow region. Local residents have reported longer periods of frost, with frostbite risk rising for those spending extended time outdoors and for workers who must operate in unheated environments.
Experts emphasize that while the federal city is currently experiencing its harshest phase, the situation is expected to ease gradually as high-pressure systems move in and prevailing wind patterns shift. Meteorologists stress the importance of ongoing monitoring, because late-season cold snaps can be followed by rapid weather changes, sometimes introducing brief windows of milder air before the next cycle of frost forms. For the moment, residents are advised to limit exposure during the coldest hours, ensure proper heating, and protect vulnerable individuals, pets, and livestock from the severity of the temperatures.
Public and regional weather services continue to issue guidance and updates as the transition toward normal December averages unfolds. The general expectation among forecasters is that the coldest period will wane during the weekend, giving way to more typical conditions for the time of year. Observers note that such shifts are not uncommon, even in consistently cold climates, and they underscore the value of staying informed through official weather briefings and community alerts to minimize risk during extreme cold events. The evolving forecast reminds residents that while relief may arrive soon, vigilance remains essential through the remaining days of the cold spell, especially in areas with limited indoor heating or in outdoor environments where exposure is a concern.
At the core of these updates is a shared objective: to provide accurate, timely information that helps people plan daily activities, commute safely, and manage energy use efficiently as temperatures gradually rise toward the seasonal norm. By combining observations from multiple stations and cross-checking with other regional meteorological centers, the Phobos team and their collaborators aim to deliver a coherent picture of the coming days, offering practical steps and reassurance to the public as the frost slowly subsides.
Sources: Public News Service for the initial temperature forecast; Podmoskovye Segodnya reporting on the VDNH station data and the Taldom observatory measurements. These attributions reflect the current understanding of the cold spell and the anticipated warm-up in the days ahead.