Moscow standard snowfall blankets

Issued in: 12/18/2022 – 15:26the average: 12/18/2022 – 15:24

Sidewalks in some parts of the capital were left completely covered in snow, with snow removal equipment prioritizing roads © Natalia KOLESNIKOVA / AFP

Moscow (AFP) – Heavy snow fell in the Russian capital on Sunday, disrupting traffic, delaying flights and leaving sidewalks buried in snow.

In parts of Moscow, snow has accumulated in mounds more than 30 centimeters (12 inches) high, something not usually noticed until the end of winter in February, the Phobos meteorological center said.

Phobos added that the last time a similar depth of snow was recorded in Moscow in mid-December was in 1989 and in 1993.

Nearly 119,000 people and more than 12,500 vehicles have been deployed to remove snow, according to Moscow city authorities, with snow expected to continue into the evening.

“It’s a snowy Armageddon: In Moscow there is such a storm that you can’t walk or drive,” the state-controlled Channel One said in a report.

Sidewalks in some parts of the capital were left completely covered in snow, with snow removal equipment prioritizing roads to ease severe traffic congestion.

Air traffic was also affected, with more than 50 flights delayed or canceled at Moscow airports.