[Regnum] The snowfall that began in Moscow and the Moscow region on December 25 was the heaviest since the beginning of winter. This was reported on December 26 by the Russian Hydrometeorological Center.
"Over the evening and overnight, the snow depth increased by 11 cm—this is the highest figure not only since the beginning of the calendar winter, but also for the entire autumn-winter season," forecasters told TASS.
According to the agency's source, the last heavy snowfall was recorded on November 15, when the snow depth increased by 5 cm.
The Hydrometeorological Center noted that light precipitation, primarily sleet, is also forecast for the night of December 27. Temperatures in the capital will range from -1 to +1°C, and in the surrounding region, from -4 to +1°C.
Residents of the Moscow region can expect light precipitation in the form of sleet during the day on December 27. The forecaster also warned of possible icy conditions.
Earlier that day, Yevgeny Tishkovets, a leading specialist at the Phobos weather center, reported that about a third of the monthly precipitation had fallen in the Moscow region on the night of December 26. The day before, Tatyana Pozdnyakova, a specialist at the Meteonovosti news agency, warned that up to 25% of the monthly precipitation was expected in the Moscow region on December 26. According to her, snow will alternate with sleet, causing it to stick to power lines and tree branches, and will also cause snowpack on roads.
The day before, Roman Vilfand, scientific director of the Russian Hydrometeorological Center, announced that snow cover in Moscow would remain until New Year's Eve and would not melt, despite the temperature fluctuations. He added that the snow would fall on already cold ground and therefore would not melt.