Temperatures in the capital will not climb above zero this week, forecasters said Monday, noting that the colder weather would help disperse a buildup of pollutants in the city's atmosphere.
Muscovites can expect temperatures to hover between minus 3 degrees Celsius and minus 5 C in the first half of the week, dropping slightly on Thursday, the regional weather bureau was cited as saying by the Interfax news agency.
The colder weather is about two to three weeks ahead of schedule, forecasters said, adding that temperatures in Moscow will be three degrees lower than average at this time of year, Interfax reported.
On the plus side, the higher pressure associated with colder weather will help to disperse a buildup of pollutants in the city's atmosphere, caused by two separate environmental incidents last week, forecasters said.
A suspected accident at an oil refinery in south Moscow last Monday saw large amounts of hydrogen sulfide released into the atmosphere, prompting a sevenfold increase in in the maximum permissible level of the chemical in the city's air.
Residents were also warned on Friday to limit their outdoor activities after a controlled burning of woodland in the Moscow region led to impurities being blown onto the city by a northeasterly wind.
As a result of the colder weather, carbon oxides and other harmful substances will be moved from the lower layers to the upper layers of the atmosphere, Interfax cited one forecaster as saying.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
