As Russia transitions into a new season, significant meteorological changes are sweeping across the country. Over a span of three days, Omsk witnessed an unprecedented increase in temperatures, setting multiple new records as March 2025 unfolded.
On March 18, 2025, Omsk recorded a maximum air temperature of +6.5 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous maximum of +6.2 degrees set in 2013. The warm spell continued with March 19, when temperatures climbed to +7.1 degrees, eclipsing yet another record, as the former record stood at +4.2 degrees since 2015. The upward trend persisted into March 20, with temperatures reaching +5.7 degrees, just nudging past the previous record of +5.6 degrees noted in 2020. These remarkable highs, as reported by the Ob-Irtysh UGM, highlighted the unusual warmth enveloping the region during this time.
However, the weather took a sudden shift for the Omsk region on March 21, as forecasters announced an impending cold front. It is anticipated that temperatures may plummet to as low as -15 degrees Celsius overnight on March 22, marking a stark contrast to the unseasonably warm days just preceding it.
Meanwhile, moving towards the western part of Russia, the capital city of Moscow and its surrounding region is bracing for a weekend characterized by sunny skies and a complete lack of precipitation. Mikhail Leus, a meteorologist at the Phobos weather center, revealed that this clear weather is set against the backdrop of potentially record-breaking high atmospheric pressure levels, possibly the highest seen in 80 years.
Despite the promising weather forecast, residents of Moscow should not expect a surge in temperature warmth during this sunny stretch. As Leus explained, while conditions will be bright and dry, the air temperature will remain significantly low, with daytime highs on March 22 expected to oscillate between +4 and +6 degrees Celsius.
The condition will feel even chillier overnight as Moscow enters the morning of March 23, with predictions suggesting temperatures could dip to between -4 and -6 degrees Celsius. As the sun shines brightly throughout the day, it may help to marginally warm the air, but according to meteorologists, the expected daytime temperatures would still linger around +6 to +8 degrees Celsius, reflecting little change despite the sun’s presence.
Come Monday, March 24, the capital should see slightly warmer temperatures in the range of +9 to +11 degrees Celsius. Nevertheless, the tranquility brought by the Scandinavian anticyclone is likely to be short-lived, as another weather system approaches on Tuesday. This cyclone is predicted to envelop the city in cloudy skies and even light rain, though temperatures should remain above the climatological norm, averaging around +10 to +12 degrees Celsius.
This dynamic shift in temperatures and weather patterns exemplifies the unpredictability that often accompanies transitional seasons, with Omsk's warmth being countered by an imminent cold snap, while Moscow's anticipated sunny weekend may bring more than just bright skies to its residents.
Experts have noted the significance of these weather events as they reflect broader climatic changes affecting the region. Tatyana Pozdnyakova, chief specialist at the Meteonews agency, remarked that by the end of the week, Moscow's temperatures would approach normal climatic values, heralding a second phase of meteorological spring, although initial conditions may still fall short.
As Omsk and Moscow navigate these changing weather patterns, residents are left to ponder what the future holds for spring 2025. Will the warmth return, or will the persistent chill define the coming weeks? Only time will tell as Russia witnesses the ongoing interplay of weather systems.
