RUSSIA: Warmest January winter day in Moscow since records began has residents grumbling

Thursday (January 11, 2007) has been the warmest January day in Moscow since records began. With the mercury rising to 10 degrees Celsius, Moscow residents are unhappy with the unseasonably mild weather. At this time of the year temperatures are normally well below zero Celsius, with the city covered in a blanket of snow and ice. This year's mild winter so far has left the city's parks green and the Moscow river unfrozen. "In general, I feel horrible, said one Moscow resident, Vladimir. "I have high blood pressure, and I feel it. That's a big problem.'' "We really miss snow,'' said another Moscow resident, Olga. "We didn't ski this year, nor have we skated. We are Russians and are used to winter weather.'' "I wanted to go sleigh riding this year,'' added Dasha, Olga's daughter. "I really wanted to go, but there's no snow. I really want snow.'' "I even bought myself a fur coat this year and I haven't even worn it once,'' said Moscow resident, Lena. "The situation is terrible, I have a mink coat. I went to Turkey to buy a fur coat, and haven't even worn it once.'' Around Moscow zoo on Thursday (January 11), ducks were seen dodging cars on the street. In normal circumstances the ducks would be flying south out of Russia and to warmer conditions. The current concern over global warming is in stark contrast to a year ago. Last winter, Moscow experienced some of its coldest weather in the past 50 years. In Siberia, records were set for the coldest temperatures ever.

ITN Source | January 12, 2007

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