[Regnum] This coming weekend, January 31–February 1, Moscow will experience temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius (-48 degrees Fahrenheit). Alexander Shuvalov,head of the Meteo forecasting center, spoke with Regnum News Agency on Wednesday, January 28.
"The current snowfalls will end on Thursday, January 29. By the weekend, we'll see temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius, which will carry over into February. But we should still expect snowfall this winter, as it accompanies the transition to warmer temperatures," Shuvalov noted.
He also said that the snowfall that blanketed Moscow is on track to break a 70-year-old record. In the winter of 1956, the snow depth in the capital reached 57 cm, and this morning, a total of 52 cm was already recorded.
Shuvalov noted that January 2026 will be among the top five coldest months in the capital since the beginning of the 21st century. Currently, the average daily temperature is reaching -7.5 degrees Celsius, and by the end of the month, it will approach -9 degrees Celsius.
Heavy snowfalls have left the capital stuck in nine-point traffic jams. Taxi fares have risen sharply: in particular, a ride to the airport is more expensive than a flight to St. Petersburg. Meanwhile, Moscow airports are postponing flights.
The Moscow Department of Transport advised residents to use the metro rather than private vehicles during heavy snowfall. Experts, meanwhile, assured that the capital's power grid is capable of withstanding both snowfall and severe frost.
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Moscow's "Royal Snowfall" Will Break a 70-Year-Old Record, Says Meteorologist
The massive snowfall that blanketed Moscow is on track to break a 70-year-old record. The storm will likely produce record-breaking snowfall, though January won't record the highest total precipitation, according to Alexander Shuvalov, head of the Meteo forecasting center, speaking to Regnum News Agency on Wednesday, January 28.
Forecasters predicted up to half a meter of precipitation would fall on the capital on January 27-28. According to an expert, the current snowfall is expected to exceed these expectations.
"Today, a daily precipitation record is quite possible. This refers to the depth of snow cover: the previous record was set in 1956, when it reached 57 cm; this morning, 52 cm of snow was recorded. If the snowfall brings another 5-7 cm during the day and night, the record table could be rewritten. Let's also remember that while 21 mm of precipitation fell on January 9, this year's total is 22 mm—these figures are comparable, but it took a little longer. However, if we consider the total snowfall for January as a whole, there have been much snowier years," Shuvalov noted.
The meteorologist added that this January will be among the five coldest in the 21st century. Currently, the average daily temperature is reaching -7.5 degrees Celsius, and by the end of the month, it will approach -9 degrees Celsius. In 2010, January was noticeably colder, with an average temperature of -14.5 degrees Celsius.
"The current heavy snowfalls will end on Thursday, January 29. By the weekend, we'll already be experiencing temperatures down to -20 degrees Celsius, which will carry over into February. But we should still expect snowfall this winter, as it accompanies the transition to warmer temperatures," Shuvalov explained.
Snowfalls have left the capital stuck in nine-point traffic jams. Taxi fares have risen sharply: a ride to the airport, for example, costs more than a flight to St. Petersburg. Meanwhile, airports are postponing flights.
Experts have assured that Moscow's energy system is capable of withstanding both snowfalls and severe frosts.