Winter to Persist in Primorye; Frosts Set to Ease Later

A substantial temperature increase in Primorye is not expected in the near future. This is only possible if the meridional circulation type in the lower troposphere changes to zonal, but this is not foreseen until the end of January, said Boris Kubay, head of Primhydromet (Primorye Hydrometeorological Service).

Frosts will also persist in the first decade of February, but in the second half of the next month, the first signs of spring will begin to appear. He added that the temperature anomaly is observed not only in Primorye.

«The picture across the country is now quite heterogeneous. For example, in Chukotka and the Magadan region, a positive temperature anomaly is noted—there, the air temperature exceeds the climatic norm by 15–18 degrees Celsius (59–64°F). At the same time, in the Urals and Central Russia, it is, on the contrary, below the norm by 4–6 degrees Celsius (39–43°F). Western Europe is not far behind either—there, the temperature is below climatic values by 3–5 degrees Celsius (37–41°F). Winter is still winter,» added the meteorologist.

But not everything is so bad: on January 23, frosts will begin to gradually retreat. Significant precipitation is not expected. The maximum temperature will increase by 1–3°C (34–37°F). In Vladivostok, precipitation is also not foreseen. The strong north wind, blowing with short breaks over the last five days, will become quieter. Night temperatures will hardly change, daytime temperatures will rise to -11…-14°C (12…7°F).

This month has been rich in records: there were two coldest nights and the largest amount of snowfall in 20 years. The consequences are still being cleared.