February frosts hit St. Petersburg
Severe frosts engulfed St. Petersburg on February 1. According to meteorological services, in the morning the air temperature in the city was around -19 degrees Celsius (-2°F), and in some districts it even dropped to -20...-21 degrees Celsius (-4...-6°F). The wind was north-easterly, 3-8 m/s.
As explained by Mikhail Leus, a leading specialist at the Phobos Center, the weather situation is determined by the southern periphery of an anticyclone. The region experienced variable cloudiness without precipitation, but the temperature remains «significantly colder than normal». Atmospheric pressure, although it has started to fall, remains high at 771 mmHg.
The temperature regime for the day was as follows:
- In St. Petersburg during the day: -14…-16 °C (7…3°F).
- In the Leningrad region: -13…-18 °C (9…0°F), locally down to -23 °C (-9°F).
The cause of such cold weather in recent days has been the influence of the periphery of a cold Scandinavian anticyclone against a backdrop of elevated atmospheric pressure.
The forecast for the near future promises changes. On Sunday night, temperatures are expected to be -15…-17 °C (5…1°F). During the day on February 2, the region will be on the north-western periphery of a cyclone moving from the south towards the Upper Volga. This will bring increased cloud cover and light snow. Temperatures will rise to -7…-9 °C (19…16°F). Meteorologists warn of possible icy conditions on the roads.
