Under the big forecast: when to expect snow in Moscow
Half of Russia has already been covered by a snow cover, but in the central part the cold snap will come only in the coming days. According to meteorologists, the temperature in Moscow and the Moscow region will begin to drop significantly from October 13 — during the day it is expected to drop to +3 degrees, and at night — to zero. In addition, the capital will be covered by rains of varying degrees of intensity, sometimes with sleet. However, these first wet snowflakes will melt immediately after they fall to the ground. When the snow cover will be established in Moscow and whether it's time to change the tires — in the Izvestia material.
How much colder will it get in Moscow and the Moscow region
After a week of warm weather, rains and cold weather came to Moscow and the Moscow region, Tatyana Pozdnyakova, a leading specialist at the Meteonovosti news agency, told Izvestia.
According to her, the most intense precipitation in Central Russia will be associated not with the Balkan cyclone, but with a series of cold fronts from another atmospheric vortex, the North Atlantic.
— The Balkan cyclone has had a greater impact on the weather on the Black Sea coast, then it will move to the Lower Volga. The most intense precipitation associated with it is expected only in these areas," the meteorologist noted.
In the next few days, Moscow and the region will be covered by rains of varying degrees of intensity, in some places with wet snow. From October 12-13, a noticeable cooling from +5 to +3 degrees is expected — at night the temperature may drop to zero.
The northern cyclone approaching the center of European Russia will bring cold weather, rains and cloudy weather, Roman Vilfand, scientific director of the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia, confirmed to Izvestia.
— Light rain is expected on October 10 and 11. And on Sunday, October 12, precipitation will be more noticeable in the afternoon — this is the first day when the thermometer drops below +10. In the afternoon, it is expected from +9 to +7 degrees, these are the maximum values," the expert noted.
According to him, a noticeable cold snap will come to Moscow and the Moscow region from Monday, October 13, with temperatures about one degree below normal. It is expected from +7 to +4 during the day, and from zero to +5 at night.
— This weather will last until about Wednesday. Precipitation is forecast — light rains and it will be possible to see wet snowflakes. And starting from Thursday, the daytime temperature will rise slightly and will stay in the range from +10 to +5 degrees. At night, it is expected from +5 to 0 — about normal," he said.
The meteorologist noted that the period after October 15 is called the pre—winter period - nature begins to prepare for winter.
When to expect snow
Snow is expected in Moscow and the Moscow region only at the end of October, Tatiana Pozdnyakova said. And stable snow cover is likely to be established in a time close to the climatic ones — in the last days of November or early December, she predicts.
— After November 10, the average monthly temperature is usually negative. Frost will come, which is typical for November. The snow cover is likely to remain for a long time — for the winter, as in December the temperature in Central Russia will be close to the climatic norm. This means that it will reach negative values," the meteorologist said.
But right now, the real snow is still far away, Roman Vilfand agreed. He explained that the period of formation of stable snow cover, as a rule, falls on the last days of November.
— There is a saying "October snow does not fall in winter." Although meteorologists are skeptical of proverbs, in this case it is true. Therefore, stable snow cover is not expected in the near future. And snowflakes may appear as early as next week. But they will melt immediately," the expert said.
According to him, this winter will be colder than the previous one, with temperatures averaging around and even above normal.
Last year, there was an abnormally warm winter: all winter months, the temperature significantly exceeded the level of the climatic norm, said Tatiana Pozdnyakova.
— In January 2025, the temperature was generally 6.5 degrees above normal. Last January was close to extremely warm values. This winter is expected to be colder than last year, but this does not mean that it will be cold," the expert said.
In general, a "positive anomaly" may be observed in Central Russia in the winter of 2025/26. The air temperature is expected to be around normal in December, and above normal in January and February, the meteorologist said.
The average monthly temperature in most of Russia in December is expected to be around the long—term average, and below normal in the northeast of the Far Eastern Federal District. The Hydrometeorological Center's website notes that temperatures close to long-term averages are most likely in Russia in January 2026. But in the European territory of Russia, in the central and southern regions of the Ural and Siberian federal districts, January is expected to be much colder than last year.
When it's time for cars to "change shoes"
At the end of October 2025, the demand for tire service may grow almost four times compared to September, Alexey Ivanov, the owner of the Alliance Trucks commercial vehicle dealership network, told Izvestia.
— General statistics for Russia show a record increase in demand in October: by 273% compared to September, — said the expert. — This is a natural reaction of drivers to the approaching cold weather and a reasonable desire to protect themselves on the roads. The mass change of rubber usually begins at a stable average daily temperature of +5...+7 degrees for several days. But this year the situation in Moscow is developing according to a special scenario. In early October, the capital is experiencing a period of warm weather above the climatic norm.
Alexey Ivanov advised against rushing to replace the rubber in the first decade of October, while the weather is warm in Moscow. According to him, it is better to focus on a steady cooling and wait for the average daily temperature to stay at +4 for five to six days...+6 degrees.
— This will avoid premature wear of winter tires on warm asphalt and at the same time avoid getting into the excitement of the last pre-winter days. It is more reasonable to sign up for a tire service in the second half of October — then the car will be ready for the first snow, and the new winter tires will have enough time for the necessary running—in," the expert said.
Nikolay Pogulyaev, head of the Fit Service car service network, noted that it is important to change tires not when snow falls, but only according to temperature. According to him, winters in the central region of the country can be snowless, but the weather is very cold.
— As soon as the average daily temperature dropped to +5...+7 degrees, go to the tire service. If you are slightly ahead of the steady cold, it's okay. Driving in winter on summer tires will not work at all. The car will lose almost all coupling properties.: He won't be able to start, and if he can drive, he'll have trouble braking. In this scenario, the worst consequences can be expected," he said.
If the driver is delayed with the "re-shoe", it is better to abandon trips by private car and wait for the warming, which usually happens in the off-season, or change tires at a service station located as close to home as possible, Nikolai Pogulyaev recommended.
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