Yellow alert in St. Petersburg, orange in Leningrad Oblast

The Russian Hydrometeorological Center (Rosgidromet) has issued cold weather warnings for St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast. A «yellow» weather danger level has been declared in the city, while a higher «orange» level is in effect for the region.

In St. Petersburg, the «yellow» level is in effect from 23:00 on 29 January to 10:00 on 30 January due to the expected temperature drop to -20 degrees Celsius (-4°F) and below. Additionally, a warning for frost deposits remains until 13:00 on 1 February.

For Leningrad Oblast, an «orange» danger level has been set until 13:00 on 1 February. Meteorologists forecast abnormal cold with deviations from the climatic norm by 10 degrees or more. At night, frosts may reach -25 to -30 degrees Celsius (-13 to -22°F).

Besides that, in the oblast, a «yellow» level is in effect for the same period due to frost deposits. Moreover, from 23:00 on 29 January to 12:00 on 30 January, fog is expected with visibility of 500 meters or less.

St. Petersburg«s chief meteorologist Alexander Kolesov explained that the abnormal cold and clear weather are brought to the region by an anticyclone. During the day, it will be slightly warmer in the city due to the influence of Lake Ladoga. On the morning of 29 January, it was already sunny in St. Petersburg.

Authorities are urging residents to dress warmly and drivers to exercise caution on the roads.