Experts Predict Near-Normal Spring Flooding for Yaroslavl Region
The Central Administration for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring has released a preliminary assessment of the spring 2026 flood for the Yaroslavl Region.
The forecast is based on data from snow surveys conducted in January 2026, as well as measurements of soil freezing depth and pre-winter moisture levels in river basins.
At the Federal State Budgetary Institution «Central UGMS,» the following was reported: «The maximum water level of rivers during the spring flood period across the entire territory of operation of the Federal State Budgetary Institution »Central UGMS« is expected to be above normal. The exception will be rivers flowing through the Tver, Yaroslavl, and Kostroma regions, where the maximum water level marks during the spring flood will be close to normal or exceed it by up to 1.5 meters.»
Specialists also noted that during ice drift, ice jams could cause additional water level rises of 1–2 meters, and in some cases, could reach critical levels.
For comparison, in 2025 the opposite situation occurred: a low-snow winter led to the shallowing of the Volga River. The consequences included:
- delay in the launch of the Meteor high-speed vessel on the Yaroslavl–Nizhny Novgorod route;
- adjustment of river cruise itineraries in several regions;
- in Rybinsk, the water receded several meters from the shore, exposing a sunken barge and an ancient water intake.
