Snowstorm Buries Nizhny Novgorod for Third Day

The powerful snowstorm shows no signs of weakening in Nizhny Novgorod for the third day, turning city streets into something resembling Siberian landscapes.

According to the administration, precipitation in the first half of January has reached 211% of the monthly norm. Meteorologists warn that by nightfall, the snow cover could increase by 26 centimeters (about 10 inches). Traffic jams on the roads have reached eight points on the scale, and during peak hours, they hit ten points.

By 5:00 PM today, about 15 cm (6 inches) of snow had fallen, and by the end of the day, approximately 10 cm (4 inches) more is expected. Municipal services reported that since morning, they have removed over 15,000 cubic meters of snow.

Residents of the city are sharing their impressions of the situation. «Snowdrifts formed on one side by road cleaners and on the other by tractors on the sidewalks can only be navigated via makeshift paths,» wrote a resident of Beketova Street.

Another resident of Nizhny Novgorod noted: «It»s wonderful that the roads are being cleared, of course, but there are no sidewalks — mostly just paths people have trampled down. Approaches to traffic lights look like an obstacle course. It«s hard for the young and relatively healthy to get around. And if the elderly need to go somewhere, that»s like saying «good luck with your hunger games.»«

On many streets, snowdrifts reach human height (over 5 feet), especially after snow removal equipment has been at work. Some sidewalks have been cleared, but others are merely paths trodden by pedestrians. Estimates suggest that fully clearing the city could take days or even weeks.

For the upcoming weekend, an abnormal cold snap is forecast for Nizhny Novgorod Region. The air temperature will be 7-14 degrees below the climatic norm, which for the region is -9 to -13 degrees Celsius (approximately 16 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit).