St. Petersburg Faces Severe Snowstorm Impact on Traffic and Air Travel
In St. Petersburg, drivers encountered a heavy snowstorm that led to a significant traffic slowdown. Reports from the Yandex.Traffic service indicated that at 17:30, city road jams reached nine on the scale, and by 18:00 they had escalated to the maximum ten. The weather disrupted normal commuting patterns and made coping with the road network difficult for many residents and visitors alike.
Local residents shared real-time updates on social media, describing the city center as largely immobilized. The congestion was most acute along major corridors such as Alexander Nevsky Square, Nevsky Prospect, Kamennoostrovsky Avenue, Liteiny Street, Sinopskaya Embankment, and Sadovaya Street. In these areas, vehicles crawled or were forced to halt, creating a sense of gridlock that affected both private cars and public transit options.
Eyewitnesses noted a series of minor accidents that compounded the already stressed road conditions. In addition, a record traffic jam was recorded on the outer side of the Ring Road, spanning the stretch from Pulkovskoye Highway to Oktyabrskaya Embankment, where slow-moving traffic extended to approximately 12.1 kilometers. Authorities urged patience and careful driving as snow continued to blanket the city, reducing visibility and road traction.
Meanwhile, disruptions extended beyond St. Petersburg’s streets. Earlier reports indicated that Aeroflot, the Russian airline, canceled several Moscow to St. Petersburg flights due to the snowstorm, with multiple regional flights also affected. At Pulkovo Airport, departures experienced notable delays as operations struggled to keep pace with weather-related slowdowns and safety checks. Travelers faced longer wait times and altered schedules while attempting to navigate the impacted routes.
In the capital, Moscow’s traffic situation mirrored the challenges seen in the northwest. The Moscow Ministry of Transport issued a statement noting that the snowstorm initially created difficult conditions on major roadways, with some trucks becoming stranded on the highway, further intensifying congestion and risk for other motorists. Road crews worked to clear lanes and apply anti-icing measures, but the scale of the snow event limited immediate relief.
As the event unfolded, hydrometeorological authorities issued warnings about hazardous weather in the European part of the Russian Federation, emphasizing the ongoing risk to road safety, air travel, and urban mobility. The advisory highlighted the need for preparedness and prudence for commuters and travelers alike, as winter conditions persisted across the region.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, coordinating with city services to manage traffic flow, clear snow from roadways, and restore normal schedules as soon as conditions permit. Residents and visitors to St. Petersburg are advised to check live updates from trusted traffic services and air travel providers, limit nonessential travel if possible, and allow extra time for commutes. The combination of heavy snowfall, limited visibility, and ongoing road work remains a challenging mix for the city’s transport network.
In sum, the snowstorm produced a cascade of disruptions: gridlocked streets in central corridors, reported minor collisions, extended Ring Road congestion, and knock-on effects on air travel between Moscow and St. Petersburg. With weather warnings in effect, the public is urged to stay informed and prepared for continued delays until conditions improve.