Winter is the most since 1886: Moscow is forced to disperse artificial snow
Authorities in the Moscow capital are preparing for New Year's celebrations, and used ice from skating halls to make up for the lack of white flakes. Residents mock: "You can buy anything with the Moscow budget - even winter"
Winter is the most since 1886: Moscow is forced to disperse artificial snow
Photo: Reuters, Edit: Amit SimchaMoscow authorities sprinkled artificial snow in the city ahead of the New Year celebrations, following the hottest winter experienced by the Russian capital since 1886. This is seen as further evidence of the global warming phenomenon, which also includes the melting of glaciers at the poles.
The scattering of the snow through a garbage truck has provoked amusing comments on social networks. "You can buy anything with the Moscow budget - even winter," wrote one tzitzan. Snow is scattered at several major Moscow sites, including Red Square, which are closed to traffic ahead of the New Year. Other residents were less enthusiastic about the initiative. "It's not festive at all. The snow has already turned brown or gray," said one resident, quoted by the Moscow Times.
One of the city's top officials, Alexei Namriuk, said the artificial snow scattered on Tverskaya Avenue was intended to create a hill for snowboarding areas for New Year's celebrations. The snow is breaking ice in some of the skating complexes in Moscow.
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The fires are destroying their home, and Australia's wildlife is reaching citiesWhere's "Winter General"? Snowbird dumping truck in Moscow (Photo: Reuters)
In the background of the warm December in Moscow: Authorities scatter strips of artificial snow in the city center for New Year's celebrations (Photo: Reuters)
The current weather is far from "winter general" - the famous stalemate that helped Russia stop Hitler's and Napoleon's armies in recent centuries.
On December 18, 5.6 degrees were recorded in Moscow, breaking the heat record for this month, set in 1886. Russia's meteorological service said today 2019 was the hottest year ever in the country.
Forecasts are forecasting a cooling-off for the New Year celebrations, including snowfall, but experts believe winters will keep warm - temperatures in the Moscow region have risen an average of four degrees over the past 30 years - this past summer, with exceptional ice storms.