Winter Storm Brings Heavy Snow and Disrupts Travel in Moscow - The Moscow Times
Moscow Times
February 19, 2026
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Moscow experienced severe winter weather as a powerful storm brought heavy snowfall and strong winds between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, creating hazardous road conditions and disrupting travel. The storm led to flight delays and cancellations, with 33 flights at Moscow airports affected by midday. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that the city received over 70% of its monthly average snowfall on Thursday alone, describing the situation as "extremely difficult" but expressing confidence in the city's ability to manage.
Meteorologists noted that while snow cover reached 175% of the daily average for February 19, it fell short of a record set in 2024. Blizzard conditions were expected to persist into Friday morning, complicating commutes and daily life. The city advised residents to use the metro instead of driving to ease traffic congestion and allow snowplows to clear roads more effectively.
Transportation authorities reported significant delays on major roads, including the Garden Ring, Third Ring Road, and Moscow Ring Road. Accidents involving multiple vehicles were also reported on highways, further straining emergency services. The storm's impact
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Originally published on Moscow Times on 2/19/2026