Moscow broke a daily temperature record on Tuesday, reaching 23.2 degrees Celsius. This beat the previous high set in 1951 at 17.4 degrees Celsius. The warm weather was fueled by tropical air from the Mediterranean and North Africa, according to researchers at Moscow State University. Prior to this, temperatures had reached above 20 degrees earlier in the week, the earliest on record for Moscow. The chief scientist at Russia’s Hydrometeorological Center stated that temperatures in the 20-22-degree range are more typical for late May and early June.
The warm weather in Moscow prompted residents to enjoy the sunshine by wearing T-shirts and light clothing, and engaging in outdoor activities like biking and skateboarding. Meteorologists noted that snow cover in the city had melted much earlier than usual. The unseasonable warmth was not limited to Moscow, as nearly 50 temperature records were broken across the European part of Russia. St. Petersburg also saw a record high of 19.6 degrees Celsius. The increase in temperature came shortly after Russia’s state meteorological service issued a report warning about the impact of heatwaves on the country’s economy.
Russia’s latest climate report stated that 2023 was the third hottest year since 1936. The report highlighted the potential consequences of summer heatwaves, including crop failures and wildfires, as significant threats to the Russian economy. This warning came amidst the unseasonably warm weather that was experienced across the country. The record-breaking temperatures were attributed to tropical air masses originating from the Mediterranean and North Africa. The warm weather led to the early melting of snow cover in Moscow and other parts of Russia.
The high temperatures in Moscow and other regions prompted residents to take advantage of the outdoor weather, engaging in activities like bike riding and skating. Snow cover melted earlier than usual, leading to the breaking of temperature records in nearly 50 locations across the European part of Russia. St. Petersburg also experienced a record high, further emphasizing the widespread impact of the warm weather. The unseasonable warmth came shortly after the release of a climate report warning about the potential consequences of heatwaves on Russia’s economy.
The warm weather in Moscow was a result of tropical air masses originating from the Mediterranean and North Africa, according to researchers at Moscow State University. This caused temperatures to soar to record-breaking levels, with residents enjoying the early taste of summer. The early melting of snow cover and the breaking of temperature records across the country highlighted the impact of climate change on Russia. The latest climate report issued a stark warning about the potential economic consequences of summer heatwaves, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to address the challenges posed by rising temperatures.
