Phobos meteorological center analyst Mikhail Leus noted an unprecedented warmth sweeping over St. Petersburg as the city recorded daytime heat reaching +25.3°C. He stated that this marked a new temperature record for the Northern capital in September, an observation shared on a Telegram channel dedicated to weather updates.
According to Leus, this temperature stands as the highest noted in St. Petersburg during the month of September this year, surpassing the prior mark of +21.4°C set on September 23, 2020. The record confirms a notable deviation from typical late-summer patterns and underscores the ongoing variability in regional climate behavior as summer transitions to autumn.
Meanwhile, in Moscow, overnight temperatures also climbed beyond historical expectations. Early on the night of September 21, Moscow established a new low-temperature benchmark for the period, signaling a shift in nocturnal thermal norms for the city in recent years. The Phobos center reported that nighttime temperatures in Moscow stayed above 16°C, breaking the previous record from 2015 when 13°C was recorded. It was noted that the typical July night temperature in Moscow is lower than what was observed last night, emphasizing a persistent warm spell that defies conventional seasonal patterns.
Earlier in mid-September, weather forecaster Evgeny Tishkovets indicated that Moscow had breached a temperature record for September 20 as well. By 15:00 on September 20, readings at the VDNKh weather station climbed to +24.3°C, while the Balchug area logged about +24.9°C, illustrating a broad sweep of unusually warm conditions across multiple parts of the Russian capital on that afternoon. Such data points contribute to a growing narrative of extreme warmth during this period and have sparked discussions among meteorologists about the implications for urban microclimates and energy demand in megacities.
Experts stress that these temperature spikes, though notable in the short term, fit into a broader climate context characterized by regional variability and seasonality shifts. The events in St. Petersburg and Moscow highlight how large northern cities can experience record-breaking warmth well into late September, a time when cooler nights and transitional weather are often expected. Analysts from the Phobos center emphasize the importance of normalizing these anomalies against long-term climate trends while continuing to monitor nightly minima, daytime maxima, and humidity levels, all of which influence public health advisories and infrastructure planning.
For residents and travelers in the region, the immediate takeaway centers on practical responses: staying hydrated during heat episodes, taking care with outdoor activities during peak sun hours, and keeping buildings properly ventilated to manage indoor comfort. Meteorologists also point to the value of continuous data collection from key urban meteorological stations, which supports more accurate forecasts and helps authorities prepare for future heat events. The recent records serve as a reminder that even familiar cities can experience weather that feels distinctly out of season, underscoring the dynamic nature of climate systems and the need for adaptive resilience in urban environments.
In summarizing the latest findings, Phobos center researchers reinforce that while one-off spikes in temperature are noteworthy, broader analyses are essential to understand how such events fit within the climate mosaic of the region. Ongoing observations will reveal whether these instances are isolated outliers or part of a pattern signaling shifts in regional climate baselines. The public is encouraged to follow official weather updates for guidance on daily conditions, heat safety, and any anticipated changes in upcoming forecasts. All data cited stems from weather stations affiliated with the Phobos meteorological network and corroborated by independent meteorological services as part of a coordinated effort to track seasonal temperature dynamics across major Russian cities.