Arctic Outbreak to Grip Northwestern, Ural and Siberian Russia With Severe Frosts
Forecasters attribute the plunge to Arctic air moving south from the Arctic Ocean.
Overview
- Hydrometcentre scientific head Roman Vilfand forecasts lows of roughly −21°C to −42°C this weekend into next week across the Northwestern, Ural and Siberian federal districts.
- Regional meteorological services warn of snow, black ice and wind gusts up to about 9 m/s, with Yamal and parts of Khanty‑Mansi expected to see night temperatures near −35°C to −45°C.
- Northwestern Russia will be sharply divided, with central areas holding above 0°C while Komi, Arkhangelsk and Murmansk face freezes approaching −40°C.
- Several Siberian regions, including Omsk, Novosibirsk, Kemerovo, Irkutsk, Altai Krai and Khakassia, are forecast to reach about −25°C to −34°C.
- Moscow is expected to remain overcast next week with possible wet snow and little sunshine at least through mid‑December.