Forecasters told about the weather for Easter in 2026

In the spring, Orthodox Christians prepare to celebrate the main church holiday — Easter, or the Bright Resurrection of Christ. In 2026, the date falls on April 12th. After a snowy winter and a moody March, many are worried about whether the snow will have completely melted by this time and whether the roads will turn into solid slush. This is especially important for those who plan to go to a night service, go to a cemetery, or get out of town. What forecasts are given by weather forecasters for Easter — in the material of Izvestia.

What will the weather be like for Easter on April 12th?

Easter is coming earlier than usual this year. For comparison: last year, the holiday fell on April 20, when spring had already fully entered into its rights. Today's Resurrection of Christ is celebrated in the middle of the month, when the weather often brings unexpected surprises. Adding to the uncertainty is the abnormally snowy winter, which is remembered for snowfalls and impressive snowdrifts.

However, the warmth that set in at the end of March makes it possible to make optimistic forecasts. According to preliminary data from the Gismeteo portal, the weather in Moscow and the region will be relatively stable, with no sudden changes. On pre-holiday Saturday, April 11, it is expected to be around +9 degrees in the afternoon, at night the temperature will drop to +5 degrees. It will be cloudy in the afternoon, but without significant precipitation.

On Sunday, April 12, when Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter, the temperature background will hardly change. It is predicted to be about +10 degrees during the day, and about +6 degrees at night. Short-term precipitation is possible, and the sky is likely to remain overcast.

A similar situation is expected in St. Petersburg. Cloudy weather is also forecast there, with air temperatures around +9... +10 degrees during the day and +5... +6 degrees at night. At the same time, due to the traditional wind in the Northern capital, the cold may be felt more strongly.

Thus, the main feature of the weather will be moderate coolness, especially at night. For those who plan to attend Easter services and cemeteries, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of a long stay on the street. After Easter, according to the forecast, even spring weather will be established.

Easter Holiday in 2026: date, history and spiritual significance

The Bright Resurrection of Christ symbolizes the victory of Jesus over death.

Should we expect slush and mud at Easter in 2026

According to forecasters, spring in 2026 is developing faster than usual. Evgeny Tishkovets, a leading specialist at the Phobos weather center, noted in his Telegram channel that March turned out to be really warm: the temperature is steadily above the climatic norm, and snowdrifts are noticeably decreasing.

According to him, April is also not going to give up positions — it is expected that it will be three to four degrees warmer than usual. In such conditions, snow in Moscow will melt two weeks earlier than usual.

Alexander Shuvalov, head of the Meteo forecasting center, also suggested in an interview with Izvestia that the snow would completely disappear by Easter.

"By this time, the snow will definitely come off. In the west and north-west of the Moscow region, for example, in Klin and Dmitrov— this may happen in the coming days, and in the south-east — at the very beginning of April. Now the difference in the height of the snow cover between these territories is almost fivefold," he said.

The forecaster added that, despite the active melting of snow, heavy slush should not be expected.

"Heavy slush probably won't happen: the weather is dry. Rains are possible in the first five days of April, but the snow is falling not only because of the heat - the soil is gradually warming up, and moisture is leaving faster," explained Shuvalov.

At the same time, Anatoly Tsygankov, deputy head of the situation center of the Hydrometeorological Center, in a comment to Izvestia, urged not to rely on long-term forecasts, as the situation may change by Easter.

"According to preliminary estimates, March 2026 will end with warmth, and the snow cover will descend close to the climatic norm: in the northwest - a little earlier, in the central regions — by about April 10-15. But let's remember that last year, after an abnormally warm March, which became one of the warmest on record, snow fell again in early April. And there are no guarantees that this will not happen again this year," the meteorologist warned.

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When will the exact forecast for Easter be available?

When making plans for Easter, it is important to take into account that the weather forecast may vary depending on the specific area. Conditions in the city are likely to be more comfortable, while areas with dirt and dampness are possible outside. Those who plan trips to the cemetery or out of town should consider this factor.

At the same time, all the experts interviewed by Izvestia agree on one thing: it will be possible to finally talk about the weather for Easter later — a few days before the holiday.

Usually, official short-term forecasts are formed within 5-7 days, and the most accurate data appears 3-5 days before the date. Up to this point, any estimates remain indicative.

Folk signs about the weather for Easter

Our ancestors, who did not have access to weather reports, collected observations about nature for centuries and noticed: The weather for the main church celebrations says a lot about what the summer and harvest will be like. Special attention was paid to the Annunciation (celebrated on April 7). It was believed that whatever the weather was on that day, Easter would be like that. Previously, the Annunciation is expected to be cool and cloudy this year.

There were special signs for Easter day itself. If it was raining, then spring promised to be rainy. If it was cloudy but no precipitation, we expected that the summer would be cool. And a heavy downpour promised a rapid growth of grasses, which was perceived as a warning: there would be a lot of weeds.

However, the rain on Easter was also considered a good sign — it foreshadowed a good harvest of rye. A thunderstorm on a Bright Sunday or the day before promised a warm autumn and a prolonged Indian summer. The snowfall on the holiday was interpreted as a sign of a fruitful year and good luck in your endeavors, and a light frost foreshadowed a warm and long summer.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.