Cold air mass invasion brings severe winter weather to Kuban

From January 31 to February 4, «complex weather conditions» are forecast for the Krasnodar Krai. A frontal boundary moving through the region will bring precipitation.

On January 31, rain is expected, turning to snow in the mountains. Winds will increase to 15–20 meters per second (33–45 mph). From February 1 to 3, heavy precipitation is forecast in some areas, reducing visibility to 500 meters (1640 feet). Wet snow may accumulate on power lines and trees, and roads will become icy. Precipitation is expected to cease by February 4.

‘From February 1, an invasion of a cold air mass is expected, which will cause a sharp drop in air temperature by 10–12 °C (18–21.6 °F),’ reported the regional hydrometeorological center.

On the night of January 31, temperatures will range from -1 to +4 °C (30–39 °F), reaching up to +10 °C (50 °F) in the south. On February 1, thermometers in the northern part of the region will drop to -8 °C (18 °F), and to -10 °C (14 °F) on February 2 and 3. Daytime temperatures, however, will mostly remain above 0 °C (32 °F).

‘Due to the expected precipitation, water levels are likely to rise on rivers in the southwestern part of the Krai and on rivers along the Black Sea coast, in some places reaching unfavorable and higher marks,’ forecasters added.