With the arrival of the New Year, attention is turning to the weather forecasts across Russia, as cities prepare for celebrations amid varying weather conditions. Meteorologists are sharing updates on what the public can expect as they ring in 2024.
Starting from Yekaterinburg, Alexey Pulkin, a meteorologist, has warned locals to brace for cold temperatures on New Year’s Eve. According to him, the temperature will be hovering between -5 and -10 degrees Celsius, with potential snowfall making the night even chillier. He communicated his insights through the popular Telegram channel “Weather in Yekaterinburg,” paralleling the reliability of the forecast with the existing atmospheric data.
Moving to the capital, Moscow, forecasters are predicting snowy conditions for the holiday. Mikhail Leus, the leading specialist at the weather center “Phobos,” highlighted the chances of snow on December 31, estimating the likelihood to be between 60% and 70%. He stated, "Снег ожидается с вероятностью 60-70%" (Original quote in Russian: "Снег ожидается с вероятностью 60-70%"), helping residents prepare for the winter wonderland awaited during New Year festivities. Temperature wise, the capital is set to experience daytime highs from -2 to -7 degrees Celsius leading up to the New Year celebrations, with slightly colder conditions expected at night, ranging from -3 to -8 degrees Celsius.
Yet, not all regions will enjoy the same level of comfort. On the northern fringes, particularly the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, heavy snowfall and strong winds are forecasted. Alexander Shuvalov, head of the forecasting center “Meteo,” advised residents of cities like Salekhard and New Urengoy to remain vigilant, as New Year’s Eve will usher in blizzard conditions. He noted, "На Ямале новогодняя ночь пройдет в условиях метелей, снегопадов и сильного ветра" (Original quote in Russian: "На Ямале новогодняя ночь пройдет в условиях метелей, снегопадов и сильного ветра"). With air temperatures hovering around -10 degrees Celsius, residents are advised to prepare adequately for the challenges the weather may present.
Turning attention back to Moscow, the forecast suggests fluctuations and mild instability as Taniana Pozdnyakova explains. Expect temperatures throughout the last days of December to ride the rollercoaster, with bouts of warmer and colder air influenced by Atlantic cyclones. She stated, "В новогоднюю ночь температура воздуха в Москве ожидается в пределах -5–10 градусов" (Original quote in Russian: "В новогоднюю ночь температура воздуха в Москве ожидается в пределах -5–10 градусов"). This fluctuation signifies the unpredictability typical of Russian winters, leaving citizens curious and anxious about what Mother Nature has planned.
Despite the chilly air, the weather is not expected to pose major problems across Russia, as winter continues to provide its trademark padding of snow beneath the celebratory fireworks. Those planning to spend time outdoors for the celebrations will want to maintain awareness—however. According to forecasts, there’s little chance of extreme cold or debilitating snow during the festive days. We gauge this from forecasts made by the “Yandex Weather” service, confirming, "С 1 по 4 января прогнозируются осадки, температура воздуха днем в среднем будет находиться у отметки в -5–7 градусов" (Original quote in Russian: "С 1 по 4 января прогнозируются осадки, температура воздуха днем в среднем будет находиться у отметке в -5–7 градусов").
With these forecasts, it appears the New Year will blend typical Russian winter ambiance with celebratory festivities. Whether you’re planning to gather with friends, celebrate outdoors, or indulge indoors, monitoring local forecasts will remain key to preparing for whatever the weather might throw your way. Emails, texts, or simple conversations could help neighbors and friends stay informed as the clock counts down to midnight worldwide.
