The current weather patterns in Moscow reflect a broader trend of abnormal temperatures during fall and winter, raising concerns about climate change and its impact on seasonal weather norms.
The phenomenon of warmer winters may affect local ecosystems, including the timing of plant growth and animal behaviors, as evidenced by the swelling buds on trees and the continued mushroom foraging.
As the cold front approaches on December 4, temperatures are expected to drop, leading to a more typical winter climate for the following week.
The fluctuation between warm and cold temperatures may continue throughout December, indicating a potentially unpredictable winter season ahead.
A positive weather anomaly has settled in the Moscow region, with temperatures significantly higher than usual for early December. Roman Vilfand, scientific director of the Russian Hydrometeorological Center, reported that daytime temperatures could reach up to +2 to +2.5 °C, which is about 3-4 °C above the seasonal norm. However, a cold snap is expected to begin on December 4, with temperatures dropping to -2 to -4 °C during the day and -3 to -7 °C at night, accompanied by light precipitation.
The unusual warmth has led to a lack of snow cover in Moscow, with leading specialist Evgeny Tishkovets noting that the snow cover has diminished to zero at the VDNKh meteorological station. This warm start to December has been consistent with trends observed in previous years, where November also ended 2 °C above normal. Tishkovets highlighted that the mild weather has allowed mushroom foragers to continue their activities, as mushrooms like rowan and oyster are still being collected in the region.
