Russia: Adverse weather forecast across central regions through at least Aug. 14

Severe weather is forecast across parts of central Russia through at least Aug. 4. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are likely across the region over the coming days; strong wind gusts, lightning, and hail may accompany storms. Heavy downpours may lead to flooding in low-lying areas, and strong winds could cause property damage and power outages.

As of Aug. 12, the Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring has issued the following warnings across the affected area:

• Orange heavy rainfall warnings (the middle level on a three-tier scale): Perm Kray, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Irkutsk Oblast, and Republic of Buryatia.

• Orange rain-flood warnings: Zabaykalsky Kray.

• Orange thunderstorm warnings: Republic of Buryatia.

• Orange hail warnings: Chelyabinsk Oblast.

• Orange strong wind warnings: Chelyabinsk Oblast and Republic of Buryatia.

• Yellow heavy rainfall warnings: Orenburg Oblast, Republic of Bashkortostan, Republic of Tatarstan, Samara Oblast, Ulyanovsk Oblast, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Tyumen Oblast, and Tuva Republic.

• Yellow thunderstorm warnings: Orenburg Oblast, Penza Oblast, Perm Kray, Republic of Bashkortostan, Republic of Tatarstan, Samara Oblast, Saratov Oblast, Ulyanovsk Oblast, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Kurgan Oblast, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Tyumen Oblast, central, eastern, and western, Krasnoyarsk Kray, Irkutsk Oblast, Omsk Oblast, Republic of Khakassia, and Tuva Republic.

• Yellow hail warnings: Republic of Tatarstan.

• Yellow strong wind warnings: Orenburg Oblast, Penza Oblast, Republic of Bashkortostan, Republic of Tatarstan, Saratov Oblast, Ulyanovsk Oblast, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Tyumen Oblast, northern Krasnoyarsk Kray, Irkutsk Oblast, Omsk Oblast, and Tuva Republic.

• Yellow fog warnings: Perm Kray, Chelyabinsk Oblast, central, eastern, far northern, and southern Krasnoyarsk Kray, Omsk Oblast, Republic of Khakassia, Tuva Republic, and Zabaykalsky Kray.

Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rainfall has saturated the soil.

Authorities could issue mandatory evacuation orders for flood-prone communities over the coming days. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant flooding or landslides impact utility networks.

The severe weather could contribute to transport disruptions throughout the region. Traffic and commercial trucking delays might occur along regional highways. Flooding downpours could inundate some low-lying roads in areas with poor drainage. Strong winds might also pose a hazard to high-profile vehicles. Hazardous weather conditions might cause flight delays and cancellations at airports in affected areas.