Forecast discussions for late December point to a brief warming trend in the European portion of Russia, triggered by shifting storm tracks that will rearrange air masses across the continent. This assessment comes from the Phobos weather center, which emphasizes how the move of cyclone systems will soften the pattern for a short window and then yield a return to colder conditions. In practical terms, residents should expect a temporary respite from the usual winter chill, followed by a return to more typical December temperatures as the atmosphere rebalances itself. Attribution: Phobos weather center.
The core idea behind the thaw is a change in the relative positions of cyclones over the region. As the pressure systems adjust, warmer air from the south is able to spill northward, bringing a noticeable lift in daytime temperatures. After a day of slight cooling, this southerly flow is forecast to push into the country, altering daily temperature curves and potentially catching people off guard with rapid swings in conditions. Forecasters stress that this reversal is a transient phenomenon, not a long-lasting warm spell. Attribution: Phobos weather center.
In terms of regional impacts, Southern Siberia is expected to experience daytime temperatures that climb above freezing in many areas, with thermometers approaching or surpassing positive marks and several sites potentially recording new daily highs for late December. Across the Russian Plain, warmth would spread toward the Pskov-Moscow-Saratov corridor, while southern regions could see daytime highs in the vicinity of plus ten to plus fifteen degrees Celsius. Such deviations from seasonal norms can influence travel, energy use, and daily routines, so residents are advised to plan for milder days followed by sharp reversals. Attribution: Phobos weather center.
Officials caution that this thaw will be brief. By the next day, both European Russia and Siberia are likely to experience a renewed drop in temperatures, and the broader Federation could experience another wave of atmospheric oscillations as another pulse of warmer air arrives later in the week. These patterns often accompany storm progression and can pin the weather into alternating phases of melt and freeze, which complicates forecasts and requires close monitoring of updates. Attribution: Phobos weather center.
Looking at Moscow specifically, the end of December is forecast to show unusual warmth compared with typical December norms. The city may see daytime values near or slightly above the freezing mark today, with precipitation that brings snow and rain combined at times. As temperatures dip toward evening, the risk of ice increases, and a new cycle of melting could begin around December 29, reinforcing the expectation of continued variability through the week. Such shifts are notable for planning travel and outdoor activities in the capital. Attribution: Phobos weather center.
For Muscovites and those living in nearby regions, the week ahead is shaping up as a meteorological oscillation rather than a straightforward trend. People should stay aware of rapid temperature swings and changing precipitation types, which can impact road conditions, heating efficiency, and daily schedules. This kind of pattern—short warm fronts followed by cooling—has a long history in mid-latitude climates and is something residents get a chance to experience firsthand as winter unfolds. Attribution: Phobos weather center.
As the year draws to a close, experts reiterate the possibility of anomalous warmth in certain urban cores, coupled with episodic cold snaps in outlying areas. The forecast underscores the need for flexible planning, layered clothing, and readiness for abrupt weather shifts. In the broader context, meteorologists remind the public that such oscillations are part of natural seasonal cycles, not signs of long-term trend changes. Attribution: Phobos weather center.