Severe weather has struck the Kaliningrad region, bringing with it strong winds and hazardous conditions. On Monday, December 16, wind gusts reached alarming speeds, disrupting daily life and prompting safety warnings from local authorities.
According to local reports, winds peaked at 29 meters per second, with areas along the southeastern and southern Baltic experiencing gusts up to 32 meters per second. These conditions have severely impacted the community, leading to the toppling of over ten trees within the city of Kaliningrad alone.
By 9:30 AM, reports indicated 11 trees had fallen, some of which landed on parked cars and even on residential buildings. Specifically, one tree crashed onto a five-story structure on Gorky Street, causing significant damage such as broken windows and balked balconies. Emergency services have been mobilized to deal with these damages, and they have urged residents to exercise caution and remain indoors if possible.
The city administration warned residents about the dangerous conditions, advising against using personal vehicles or being outdoors near trees, construction signs, or high structures where debris might fall. For emergencies, they recommend contacting fire services at “101” or the unified emergency number “112.”
Travelers have not been spared from the storm's wrath, as the weather has caused significant delays at the Khrabrovo Airport. Flight schedules were disrupted, particularly for departures from Moscow and St. Petersburg, with three flights from Moscow and five from St. Petersburg reported as delayed due to the adverse weather conditions. Despite the challenges posed by the storm, airport operations have continued, but commanders of individual flights are making decisions based on real-time weather observations.
Weather forecasts predict the worst of the storm will be felt from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM, during which time wind speeds along the coast could reach between 25 and 30 m/s, resulting in wave heights of 4 to 5 meters. According to local meteorologists, this extreme weather could cause familiar issues for beachgoers and coastal infrastructure, including washed-out sand and damage to protective structures.
Notably, the Kaliningrad Zoo has closed its doors for the day due to the harsh conditions. The zoo's press service advised the public to stay safe and limited outdoor activity during this storm. This aligns with broader warnings from weather officials, who have reiterated safety measures during such events.
The National Weather Service also predicted storm warnings to remain active until the evening, with conditions expected to improve gradually by Tuesday morning. Nonetheless, forecast models show residual gusts of 20 to 25 m/s may linger particularly near coastal areas, where the wind tends to be more severe.
By nightfall on December 16, the winds are anticipated to decrease, but residents are being cautioned about the potential for continued high winds and falling debris. Despite the improving conditions, those residing near the coast, especially around Baltiysk, Yantarny, Zelenogradsk, and Svetlogorsk, are urged to remain vigilant until the storm fully passes.
Overall, the Kaliningrad region continues to grapple with the effects of this cyclone system known as 'Ziva.' The current weather conditions pose various threats, including falling tree limbs, delayed transportation, and structural damage, forcing residents to remain indoors and heed safety advice to avoid unnecessary risk.
Looking forward, the weather is expected to stabilize late on the night of December 18, leading to calmer conditions across the region. Meteorologists suggest residents can expect temperatures to cool, with averages ranging from 3 to 8°C, following the storm's peak impact.
Residents are urged to stay tuned to official weather channels and local news for updated information as the region awaits the storm's passage and the subsequent return to normalcy.
