On Wednesday, Moscow recorded its second consecutive daily snowfall record as a significant winter storm continued to cause travel disruptions across the city, with a harsh cold snap anticipated to start later in the week.

During the night from Wednesday to Thursday, the Russian capital received approximately 13 millimeters of precipitation, amounting to about 13 centimeters (5.1 inches) of snow. On Wednesday alone, around 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) of snow accumulated.

In some areas of Moscow, snow cover reached up to 65 centimeters (2.13 feet), with an expected additional 2-3 centimeters (0.79-1.18 inches) by the end of Thursday, according to Tatyana Pozdnyakova, the chief meteorologist at Meteonovosti.

Severe cold weather is predicted to commence before the weekend and is expected to persist at least until next Wednesday. By Friday night, temperatures in Moscow are forecasted to drop to minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit), with daytime highs struggling to reach minus 13 degrees Celsius (8 degrees Fahrenheit).

Transportation officials are urging residents to avoid driving in the city during the snowstorm and to utilize the metro instead.

Morning commuters experienced delays on several of the city’s main routes, including the Moscow Ring Road, according to traffic monitoring services.

Authorities have issued warnings about possible road closures in the city center throughout Thursday and anticipate that the evening rush hour will be longer than normal.

“It’s advisable to leave your car and take the metro due to today’s snowfall. It will save you time,” the Transportation Department stated on Telegram.

Moscow’s airports were functioning normally, although there were delays for arriving flights.

The Russian Hydrometeorological Center has issued an “orange” advisory to alert residents about hazardous weather conditions expected from Friday through next Tuesday in Moscow and the surrounding areas.