In Moscow, the weather narrative for March 12 featured a pronounced rainfall episode that accounted for nearly 40 percent of the month’s typical precipitation. This update came from TASS, citing Roman Vilfand, who leads the Russian Hydrometeorological Center. He added that residents should not expect heavy rain to persist into March 13, providing a sense of a brief, intense spell rather than a sustained downpour.
Analysts highlighted that the day’s rainfall was substantial, underscoring that March is often perceived as a transitional month for the city. Official assessments note that the average March rainfall totals about 39 millimeters across a 31-day span, which helps frame the recent event as a relatively unusual concentration of wet weather within a short window. The expert’s comment reflects a broader seasonal pattern where precipitation can cluster, even as overall monthly totals stay within historical norms.
That same day, atmospheric pressure over Moscow dropped to 723.5 millimeters of mercury, a threshold associated with noticeable weather changes. Such pressure lows occur infrequently, with predictions suggesting a roughly 35-year recurrence interval for events of this magnitude. The combination of falling pressure and rising cloudiness can influence wind behavior and temperature swings, contributing to a day that stood out in the capital’s meteorological record.
Vilfand described March 12 as a day to remember for weather watchers, noting the unusual convergence of rainfall intensity and pressure dynamics. The sentiment echoed across meteorology circles, where memorable days are often used to illustrate the variability that characterizes seasonal transitions in this region. The takeaway for residents is a reminder to anticipate shifting conditions and to monitor updates as forecasts refine in the hours ahead.
Looking ahead to March 13, the forecast called for the possibility of black ice forming on road surfaces due to lingering moisture and cooling temperatures, coupled with winds reaching speeds up to 15 meters per second. Such a combination can impact driving safety and pedestrian conditions, prompting advisories from local authorities to exercise caution and allow extra travel time. The presence of black ice would be a reminder of how quickly weather can shift from a rainy to a more wintry, treacherous profile, even in early spring.
Meanwhile, former meteorologist Shuvalov offered a broader outlook for the city’s upcoming weather, suggesting that residents should prepare for a stretch of warmer conditions later in the week. He indicated that Monday might still bring a light frost, while the days through Saturday could trend warmer, translating to average daytime temperatures around five to six degrees Celsius above zero. A southerly wind would contribute to the milder feel, and atmospheric pressure patterns were anticipated to align with a more stable, warming regime as the week progressed. The forecast underscores how Moscow’s climate can ebb and flow, delivering both sharp surprises and extended periods of pleasant warmth even as the calendar transitions toward spring.