Russia: Adverse weather forecast to continue across central regions through at least Aug. 16 /update 1

Severe weather is forecast to continue across parts of central Russia through at least Aug. 16. 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. 14, 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, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Irkutsk Oblast, and Republic of Buryatia.

• Orange rain-flood warnings: Primorsky Kray.

• Orange thunderstorm warnings: Republic of Buryatia.

• Orange other hazard warnings: Primorsky Kray and Republic of Buryatia.

• Orange strong wind warnings: Republic of Buryatia.

• Yellow heavy rainfall warnings: Republic of Bashkortostan, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Tomsk Oblast, northern Amur Oblast, and southern Sakha Republic.

• Yellow rain-flood warnings: Jewish Autonomous Oblast and southern Khabarovsk Kray.

• Yellow thunderstorm warnings: Perm Kray, Republic of Bashkortostan, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Kurgan Oblast, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Tyumen Oblast. central and western Krasnoyarsk Kray, Irkutsk Oblast, Kemerovo Oblast, Novosibirsk Oblast, Omsk Oblast, Tomsk Oblast, Amur Oblast, southern Sakha Republic, and Zabaykalsky Kray.

• Yellow high river level warnings: Southern Sakha Republic.

• Yellow strong wind warnings: Republic of Bashkortostan, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Kurgan Oblast. Tyumen Oblast, northern and western Krasnoyarsk Kray, Irkutsk Oblast, and Omsk Oblast.

• Yellow fog warnings: Perm Kray, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Tyumen Oblast. central, far northern, and southern Krasnoyarsk Kray, Kemerovo Oblast, Republic of Buryatia, 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.