Moscow and its surrounding regions are in the grip of an intense late-summer heatwave, with temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels for this time of year. On Monday, August 26, the mercury climbed above 30°C for the first time this month, making it the hottest day since August 1. The Balchug weather station in central Moscow recorded a high of 30.3°C, while the VDNKh station registered 28.9°C.The heat persisted into the night, with meteorologist Mikhail Leus from the ‘Fobos’ weather center describing the night of August 26-27 as ‘tropical’. In the city center, temperatures did not drop below 21.2°C, although other areas of Moscow experienced cooler conditions, with temperatures ranging from 14.6°C to 17.5°C.The heatwave is expected to continue, with Tuesday, August 27, forecast to be even hotter. Temperatures in Moscow are predicted to reach 29-31°C, about 7-8 degrees above the climate norm. The Russian Hydrometeorological Center has advised that the warm weather will persist throughout the week, with sunny conditions and minimal cloud cover.While Moscow bears the brunt of the heat, other regions are also experiencing warmer than usual conditions. St. Petersburg, for instance, is enjoying summer-like weather with temperatures reaching 20-22°C, although this is not as extreme as the heat in Moscow.Looking ahead, meteorologists are predicting that the unseasonable warmth could extend into early September. There are indications that September 1 could be the hottest in 145 years, with temperatures potentially reaching 31°C. Roman Vilfand, scientific director of the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia, has even suggested that the swimming season might return to Moscow by the upcoming weekend, with water temperatures in the region’s water bodies expected to reach 21-22°C.As the heatwave continues, authorities are reminding residents to stay hydrated, use sunscreen, and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, especially between 10:00 and 16:00. City services are also taking measures to cool the air, including aeration and washing of roads, sidewalks, and courtyards.
Key points
- Moscow experienced its hottest day of the month on August 26, with temperatures exceeding 30°C.
- The night of August 26-27 was described as ‘tropical’ in central Moscow, with temperatures not dropping below 21.
- The heatwave is expected to continue, with temperatures remaining 7-8 degrees above normal.
- Meteorologists predict the warm weather could extend into early September, potentially breaking temperature records.
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