Abnormal frosts down to -45°C to hit Russia

Abnormal frosts are forecast in Russian regions starting 31 January. This warning was issued by Roman Vilfand, scientific director of the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia. We explain what temperatures to expect.

European Russia

«A very strong temperature drop in European Russia», said Vilfand.

He noted that from 31 January until the end of the following week, temperatures in the Northwestern Federal District will be 8–13 degrees below normal. The Arkhangelsk region expects frosts down to -36°C (-33°F), the Nenets Autonomous Okrug down to -39°C (-38°F), and the Komi Republic down to -33…-41°C (-27…-42°F).

In the Leningrad region, minimum temperatures will drop below minus 20°C (-4°F); in the Pskov region down to -25°C (-13°F); in the Vologda region down to -30°C (-22°F).

«Even in the Kaliningrad region there are very strong anomalies, with temperatures 15–17 degrees below normal and down to minus 18…24 degrees (-0…-11°F). This is rare», Vilfand clarified in a conversation with Interfax.

In the northern part of the Central Federal District, minimum values are expected at -22…-27°C (-8…-17°F).

«But in the south, that is the Chernozem region, Lipetsk, Tambov, Kursk, Voronezh, and Belgorod regions, temperatures are 7–17 degrees below normal and minimum values will be in the range of minus 18…23°C (0…-9°F). The strongest drop is forecast for the beginning of the week: 2–4 February will see a stronger influx of cold and minimum temperatures will be minus 24…31°C (-11…-24°F)», the meteorologist said.

In the Nizhny Novgorod region, minimum temperatures will be -28…-31°C (-18…-24°F). In the Ulyanovsk, Samara, Penza, and Saratov regions, from 2 to 4 February, it will cool down to -25…-32°C (-13…-26°F).

In the Southern Federal District, temperatures will drop to -25…-26°C (-13…-15°F). In the Rostov region, it will cool to -21…-23°C (-6…-9°F).

«And even in the Krasnodar Krai in the first half of the week, temperatures are 8–14 degrees below normal, with minimum values of minus 13…21°C (9…-6°F). This happens very rarely», Vilfand noted.

Asian Russia

The frosts in the Asian part of Russia will be even more severe. For example, in the north of the Urals, in the Yamalo-Nenets and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrugs, temperatures will reach -45°C (-49°F).

«But also in the southern half of the Urals, in Sverdlovsk and Tyumen regions, both at the end of the month and next week, temperatures will be 5–12 degrees below normal and frosts will be down to minus 29…36°C (-20…-33°F)», the meteorologist explained.

In the Tomsk, Kemerovo, and Irkutsk regions, and in Khakassia, frosts down to -39…-43°C (-38…-45°F) will arrive at the beginning of February.