On the night of December 31, Moscow is forecast to see light snowfall as the temperature dips to around -9°C. This glimpse of wintry weather was shared in a post by Mikhail Leus, a recognized figure at the Phobos meteorological center who has become a go-to source for urban weather patterns in the Russian capital.
Leus notes that for New Year’s Eve the pattern should lean toward gentle, scattered snow rather than heavy flurries, with temperatures hovering near what is considered typical for this time of year. He emphasized that the overall mood of the night will be shaped by a balance between moisture in the air and the clearing of skies that often follows a brief snowfall burst, creating a quiet, frost-kissed landscape for revelers and residents alike.
Forecasts from the broader meteorological community suggest that the night will maintain a narrow temperature corridor, with thermometers likely registering between -4°C and -9°C as December 31 gives way to a new calendar day. Such readings will keep the city bundled in winter gear and set the stage for a festive, if brisk, start to 2024. The consistency of these numbers across multiple forecast models offers a measure of reassurance to families planning outdoor celebrations while acknowledging that the exact timing and intensity of snowfall can still vary with evolving atmospheric conditions.
According to Leus, the recent thaw at the close of 2023 is expected to give way to more pronounced winter activity toward the end of the week. This shift could bring heavier, wetter snowfalls, followed by a gradual decrease in air temperatures as a resulting cold snap settles over Moscow and the surrounding Moscow region. The interplay between subtropical moisture and polar air masses often drives such transitions, producing layers of snow that can accumulate quickly in sheltered areas and along major thoroughfares where wind patterns slow their arrival.
Leus also cautions that the forecast landscape remains subject to change, because mathematical weather models, while highly informative, can exhibit notable variability when run with different initial conditions. This means forecasters will continue to refine predictions as new data arrives, refining expectations for snowfall depth, duration, and the precise cold spell signature over the coming days.
Earlier remarks from the Moscow Meteorological Bureau’s chief specialist, Tatyana Pozdnyakova, pointed to a snowy start for the new year in the city. The forecast suggested that Moscow and the Moscow region could accumulate another 15 centimeters of snow by the end of December, on top of the already significant layers that have built up through the month. Such an accumulation would further shape travel plans, road conditions, and the overall atmosphere around New Year’s Eve and the first days of January, with residents urged to exercise caution during icy periods and to prepare with appropriate winter gear and safety measures for commutes and outdoor celebrations.
Throughout this period, meteorologists have not shied away from acknowledging the possibility of an unusually cold New Year for the capital. The prevailing sentiment is one of cautious anticipation: it will be cold, possibly the coldest in recent memory, but with moments of light snow and clear skies that sometimes punctuate the chill. As the city enters a new year, residents and visitors alike should expect a winter scene that is picturesque yet demanding, inviting careful planning for warmth, travel safety, and festive enjoyment across public spaces and neighborhood gatherings.