Botanists and meteorologists are observing notable changes in Russia's historically cold winters. Unseasonal blooms, mild January weather, and ice-free rivers and lakes are all disturbing signs of climate change.
Vladimir Chub, director of the Moscow State University’s Botanical Garden, said to Reuters that three out of twelve species of snowdrops had already blossomed in the garden, though they typically bloom in early April. “We are frustrated by the low snow cover, because snow serves not only as insulation for plants in case of frosts, but also as a source of moisture in spring," he added.
Weather specialist Yevgeny Tishkovets told the RIA news agency that the last week of January will be unusually warm in Moscow, with temperatures reaching 5 degrees Celsius, which is 11 degrees Celsius above the average for this time of year.
Disruption to Religious Practices
The unusual weather has also impacted religious traditions. Mid-January saw authorities in several Russian regions limiting or canceling the ritual Epiphany bathing, a significant event for Russian Orthodox Christians. This celebration often involves diving into icy rivers and lakes, but officials deemed it unsafe this year because the ice was too thin for people to walk on.
Russia’s harsh winters hold a revered place in its culture and history – famously in 1812 when Napoleon's army was defeated by the extreme cold while retreating from Moscow, leading to tens of thousands of deaths.
Amplified Climate Extremes
Central Siberia has experienced the greatest temperature anomaly, exceeding 10 degrees Celsius above normal, according to Leonid Starkov, chief meteorologist of the Russian website Gismeteo.
“The climate is becoming more extreme,” he told Reuters. “Very warm and very cold weather is happening more often, while normal weather is getting rarer.”
Opinions among Muscovites varied. One resident, Natalia, welcomed the warmer temperatures, Ignat Tarasov, 38, and Alexei Yurov, 57, expressed dismay at the lack of snow for skiing. “As someone born and raised in the Soviet Union, I remember when Moscow had knee-deep snow and we were happily skiing in January, but now there is no snow,” Yurov said.
