Indian Summer in December: what is the danger of a warm winter for Russians

The abnormally warm winter in Russia in December 2025 attracts the attention of weather forecasters and environmentalists. Experts attribute the dramatic warming to changes in atmospheric circulation, the influence of southwesterly winds and global warming. The effects of a warm winter can affect public health, infrastructure, and agriculture, as well as disrupt ecosystems. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

Causes of abnormal heat in Russia December 2025

A warm December is expected in the center of the European part of Russia, with temperatures forecast to be above normal. This was announced on November 29 by the scientific director of the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia Roman Vilfand.

"December is forecast to be warm in the center of European Russia, with temperatures around and above normal. In Moscow, December will obviously exceed the average annual values [in terms of temperature characteristics]," TASS quoted him as saying.

Also, do not expect heavy precipitation and snowfall at the beginning of the month. This is due to the high atmospheric pressure in the region.

"That is, there is no winter as such with temperatures below zero and stable snow cover in the center of European Russia," Vilfand concluded.

December 2025 may become one of the warmest winter months in the history of observations. The main reason for the unusually mild winter is the active flows of warm air coming from the Atlantic under the influence of southwesterly winds, which, according to experts, is associated with a change in global climate patterns.

Shifts in atmospheric circulation are called a key factor: warming of the ocean surface, increased North Atlantic oscillation, displacement of tropospheric and stratospheric belts — all this contributes to the transfer of warm air masses to latitudes where frost traditionally prevails.

Scientists emphasize that such winter heat surges are becoming more frequent on a global scale. In recent decades, the duration and intensity of such periods has been increasing, which is directly related to climate warming and anthropogenic impact on the atmosphere.

What is the danger of a warm winter?

A warm winter may seem comfortable at first glance. However, such climatic anomalies carry serious risks. The lack of stable snow cover and constant temperature fluctuations lead to the deformation of infrastructure — roads, sidewalks, water pipes, sewers become more vulnerable.

Temperature fluctuations contribute to the destruction of asphalt and pipelines, which complicates the work of utilities in winter.

Such winters carry an additional burden for the health of the population. Sudden temperature changes, humidity, and lack of snow are factors that can lead to outbreaks of colds, allergies, and respiratory diseases. Also, a decrease in snow cover reduces the protection of structures from frost, and in winter the risk of ice and injury increases.

A warm winter disrupts the traditional climatic rhythm. In regions where winters should be snowy and frosty, disruption of the usual regime leads to the destabilization of natural ecosystems — plants and animals do not receive the necessary "winter rest", which can affect the flora and fauna. Forests are especially vulnerable, where weak snow cover does not protect young plants from temperature fluctuations and other winter stresses.

Finally, an abnormal winter increases the risk of natural disasters: due to unusual temperature surges, ice, rapid snowmelt and freezing rain are possible, which increases the risk of accidents, underground landslides and other emergencies.

Environmental and agricultural impacts

Warm winters are becoming a challenge for agriculture. The normal development of agricultural lands presupposes stable snow cover — it protects the soil from erosion, prevents freezing, and retains moisture. In a snowless winter, the land remains open, prone to frost and unexpected changes, which impairs its structure and fertility.

In spring, such areas are often the first to suffer from drought, because the absence of accumulated snow reduces the level of subsurface moisture. Similar conclusions are drawn by agricultural research: high weather instability and sudden temperature fluctuations lead to lower yields.

In addition, due to the warm winter, the usual cycle is disrupted. Plants, especially perennial ones, can prematurely "wake up" from the heat and begin to grow, and then die when the cold weather returns. This is true for fruit trees, berry bushes, and shrubs.

Environmental damage also affects forests: unstable temperature conditions and low snow conditions weaken the root system, making trees vulnerable to frost and fungal diseases. In permafrost areas, winter warming increases soil erosion, promotes rapid thawing of frozen soil and destruction of ecosystems.

Against the background of climate change, the risk of forest fires and droughts increases in summer, because the soil does not receive a snow cushion that retains moisture. This increases the burden on water resources and can cause water shortages, especially in the southern and central regions.