St. Petersburg to be in high pressure band on 20 January

On 20 January, St. Petersburg will find itself in a narrow meridional band of high atmospheric pressure, squeezed between two cyclones. In Moscow, the influence of a departing cyclone will persist.

Jan 21, 2026

An image depicting the foggy weather conditions reported in St. Petersburg.
Source:
Ksenia Poteeva / Fontanka.ru

According to the FOBOS weather center, the synoptic situation in St. Petersburg on 20 January will be determined by a narrow zone of high atmospheric pressure oriented north to south. This band will be clamped between two cyclonic vortices from the east and west.

A forecast map illustrates the pressure systems affecting European Russia.
Source:
meteovesti.ru

This arrangement of atmospheric fronts creates conditions for light snow and icy conditions. Temperatures in St. Petersburg are expected to range from -1 to -3 degrees Celsius (30 to 27 degrees Fahrenheit). In the Leningrad region, thermometers will read from 0 to -5 degrees Celsius (32 to 23 degrees Fahrenheit).

The wind will be northerly at 1–6 meters per second. Atmospheric pressure will continue to fall but remain above normal, reaching 768 mm Hg.

A heavy fog was observed in the city overnight. By morning, its intensity had significantly decreased, but a misty haze will persist in some areas.

In Moscow, according to the FOBOS forecast, the weather will form on the western periphery of a low-activity cyclone slowly moving toward the Middle Volga region. Isolated light snow is possible. The temperature background is expected to be within -2...-4 degrees Celsius (28 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit), which is 2–3 degrees above the average climatic values for this time of year.