Moscow snowfall sets 100-year record

Moscow has seen its heaviest snowfall in a day since records began, officials say.

Snow covers Red Square with Spasskaya Tower and St. Basil's Cathedral.

Moscow has been blanketed by the heaviest snowfall since its weather records began. (AAP)

Moscow has experienced the largest snowfall in 100 years, officials say, as multiple storms combined to dump 45cm on the Russian capital in just two days.

That amount is more than the average snowfall for the entire month of February, the city's mayor's office said in a statement.

Another 15cm to 20cm were forecast for Monday, state media reported.

"Over the past day, 1.2 million cubic metres of snow have been cleared from Moscow's streets," Moscow Deputy Mayor Pyotr Biryukov said in the statement.

One man died and some 2,000 trees collapsed due to the heavy snowfall, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said over the weekend.

In addition, more than 100 flights were delayed or cancelled on Monday at Moscow's three major airports. Thousands of city workers have been working to keep roads and the metro system open.

The heavy snow and freezing rain inundated many roads and left pedestrians struggling through slush.

The severe weather also triggered mass power failures in hundreds of towns in Moscow's surrounding region.

Moscow broke a different record in December when it registered the least amount of sunshine seen in a month there.


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Published 5 February 2018 10:18pm
Updated 6 February 2018 10:23am
Source: AAP


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