Kemerovo Hydrometcenter Charges Hundreds of Thousands for Weather Data

The editorial staff of NGS42.RU wanted to find out how much snow fell in Kuzbass during heavy precipitation. We sent a request to the Kemerovo Hydrometeorological Center; on Friday, January 30, the agency responded that the information is paid and costs 409 thousand rubles (approximately $5,100 at current rates).

We studied the price list of the West Siberian Hydrometeorological Service and found out what makes up the astronomical sum. For example, a daily weather forecast for one municipality costs 1,317 rubles (approximately $16). It includes cloudiness, precipitation, wind speed and direction, temperature, and the intensity of the phenomenon (each item is priced at 263 rubles, or about $3).

Additionally, information from past observations in the database can be obtained. For example, pressure costs 211 rubles (approximately $3) per day, temperature — 558 rubles (about $7), humidity — 168 rubles (about $2), wind — 242 rubles (about $3), and so on. Each item must be paid for separately.

That very information on atmospheric precipitation per day costs 168 rubles (approximately $2). Information on its duration — 760 rubles (about $10), and to assess the intensity of liquid precipitation — 3,543 rubles (about $44). To assess snow height per day — 40 rubles (approximately $1).

To assess hazardous phenomena, such as thunderstorms, hail, downpours, and their location costs 32,897 rubles (approximately $411).

There are 21 meteorological stations in Kuzbass. Apparently, they summed up data from all stations in the region and multiplied by the entire number of winter days. Thus, finding out which territories were most affected by snowfall costs as much as a used car.

This winter, Kuzbass found itself under the influence of abnormal weather phenomena. First, due to unprecedented snowfalls, roads in the region«s cities were blocked, and then frosts hit down to -50°C (-58°F).