About twenty flights experienced delays or cancellations at airports serving Moscow due to dense fog, according to the latest service data from Yandex.Program. The situation highlights how weather can disrupt air travel even when operations typically run on schedule. At Vnukovo, the timeline shows seven flights delayed and three canceled as of 01:57 Moscow time. In Domodedovo, three flights were delayed and one more was canceled. At Sheremetyevo, four flights faced delays. The pattern across the three major hubs underscores the impact of reduced visibility on boarding and departures, forcing adjustments in ground handling, tower operations, and passenger flow. This kind of fog event often prompts a cascade of delay notices, schedule changes, and, in some cases, gate reassignments to maintain safety and efficiency under the evolving conditions. [Citation: Moscow aviation authorities and traffic data]
Russian emergency response officials noted yesterday that heavy fog is anticipated in Moscow from Saturday evening through Sunday morning. This forecast—based on the latest meteorological assessments—signals a potential return of low visibility, which can complicate taxiing, takeoffs, and landings. Travelers are urged to monitor airport notices and plan for potential additional time buffers when moving through terminals or catching connections. The fog’s persistence tends to influence runway operations, air traffic sequencing, and weather-related caution advisories issued to crews. [Citation: Ministry of Emergency Situations]
Earlier, the Rosgidromet Center issued a warning about dense fog in the Moscow region, noting that visibility could plummet to as little as 200 to 700 meters in the worst periods. In practical terms, pilots and air traffic controllers coordinate closely to maintain safe separation and to adapt approach patterns to ensure safe landings. Ground crews may slow ground movements and adjust de-icing or pre-departure checks as wind and temperature conditions interact with the fog. Motorists are also reminded to travel with extreme caution in low-visibility stretches around the capital, as accidents and slowdowns can ripple through afternoon and evening travel. [Citation: Rosgidromet]
Authorities emphasized several safety cautions for drivers during the fog event: reduce speed noticeably, increase the following distance from vehicles ahead, and avoid sudden maneuvers or abrupt braking that might lead to collisions in limited visibility. Weather advisories frequently remind road users that fog can fluctuate in density, so remaining vigilant while riding or driving is crucial. City and regional services frequently deploy additional lighting and signage to help drivers navigate fog-affected corridors and to support safer commutes in the core metropolitan area. [Citation: Transport safety agencies]
Looking ahead, meteorologists expect the evening to bring light westerly to northwesterly winds, roughly 2 to 7 meters per second, with temperatures hovering around plus 10 to plus 12 degrees Celsius. Atmospheric pressure is projected near 745 millimeters of mercury. These atmospheric conditions interact with the fog, potentially reinforcing visibility reductions during the night and into the early hours of the next day. Commuters and travelers should plan for variable conditions, as the combination of fog, wind shifts, and mild chill can influence both air and ground travel. [Citation: Regional weather services]
A historical note from regional weather histories shows that extreme weather events in other parts of the world have produced large-scale evacuations and rapid shifts in transportation, illustrating how weather hazards can trigger wide-ranging responses. For context, authorities in parts of China recently coordinated evacuations involving hundreds of thousands of people in advance of a powerful typhoon, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities approach weather-driven risk. While Moscow’s fog today is less dramatic in scale, the prudent approach remains similar: respond to official forecasts, heed safety advisories, and adjust travel plans to minimize disruption and risk. [Citation: Global weather reports]