In Photos: Moscow, St. Petersburg See Record-Warm Start to April
April in Moscow started warm with a high of 20.3 degrees Celsius on Monday, well above the average high of 11.7 C for the month and the earliest recorded temperature above 20 degrees in Moscow's history.
The snow has already melted two weeks ahead of schedule, as temperatures approached levels more often felt in late May or early June.
St. Petersburg also warmed up to a daily record of 19.6 degrees Celsius on Monday, almost 10 degrees higher than the average 9.5 C, though it cooled down to a more normal high of 7 C by Tuesday.
While residents flocked to outdoor cafes and parks to enjoy the weather, the unusual warmth is another indicator of climate change's impacts on Russia, from prolonged wildfire seasons to melting permafrost.
For now, Muscovites and St. Peterburgers seemed happy to enjoy the sunshine before temperatures are expected to drop back down to freezing later in the week.
The snow has already melted two weeks ahead of schedule, as temperatures approached levels more often felt in late May or early June.
St. Petersburg also warmed up to a daily record of 19.6 degrees Celsius on Monday, almost 10 degrees higher than the average 9.5 C, though it cooled down to a more normal high of 7 C by Tuesday.
While residents flocked to outdoor cafes and parks to enjoy the weather, the unusual warmth is another indicator of climate change's impacts on Russia, from prolonged wildfire seasons to melting permafrost.
For now, Muscovites and St. Peterburgers seemed happy to enjoy the sunshine before temperatures are expected to drop back down to freezing later in the week.
Walking around Moscow on a record warm spring day, some people wear coats and others strappy dresses.
Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
Iced coffee, tank tops and al fresco dining make it look like summer in Moscow.
Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
A group of young people walks through Moscow.
Sergei Kiselev / Moskva News Agency
The first crocuses peek up from the ground in Moscow's Park Zaryadye.
Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
A woman works on her laptop at a sunny patio table.
Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
Siberian squill blooms in Park Zaryadye.
Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
Benches filled up with people soaking in the sun.
Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
A roller skater does a trick.
Arthur Novosiltsev / Moskva News Agency
Two women walk, smiling as they hold their coats in their arms.
Vasily Kuzmichenok / Moskva News Agency
The state meteorological service's latest climate report says that 2023 was Russia’s third-hottest year since 1936; if this month is any indicator, 2024 could be warmer.
Arthur Novosiltsev / Moskva News Agency
People ride e-scooters along the Neva River in St. Petersburg.
Alexander Demianchuk / TASS
A view of the Triumphal Arch in St. Petersburg's Palace Square.
Alexander Demianchuk / TASS
While the warmth may have come as a relief after a cold winter, the state meteorological service warns that summer heatwaves could become the most significant climate threat to the Russian economy, causing deaths, crop failure and wildfires.
Alexander Demianchuk / TASS
