Forecasters announced dangerous weather anomalies in the summer of 2026

This year's summer may turn out to be abnormally hot. Forecasters predict periods of high temperatures and lack of precipitation, which increases the risk of drought and wildfires. The fire season in Russia began in April and may last until October, and in some regions — until November. Anatoly Tsygankov, head of the Crisis Management Department at the Hydrometeorological Center, told Izvestia about this.

The expert noted that the formation of high-risk zones associated with the influx of hot air masses from the south has already been observed in the current season.

"Hot air masses are coming from Iran, which is already leading to an abnormal increase in temperatures in a number of regions — Astrakhan, Volgograd, Voronezh, Moscow, Yekaterinburg and the Volga region. According to observations, if this trend continues, the process will intensify," Tsygankov said.

He stressed that weather conditions largely shape the level of fire danger. According to the expert, the main indicator of the risk of natural fires remains the fire hazard class (KPO), which is calculated on the basis of meteorological data. This scale includes five levels, where grades four and five mean an extremely high probability of fire.

"The meteorological approach is being used now. Experts analyze the air temperature and precipitation over a certain period, after which the fire hazard class is calculated based on these data," the expert explained.

He clarified that such calculations make it possible to quickly assess the situation and predict the risks of natural fires. At the same time, according to the expert, despite the significant influence of weather conditions, the human factor remains the key factor.

"Even in adverse weather, the main causes of fires remain human actions — these are abandoned cigarette butts, burning dry grass and making bonfires in the wrong places," Tsygankov stressed.

Scorched by the sun: an abnormal heat wave is coming to Central Russia

The weather in the capital will return to the climatic norm only on the evening of May 22, meteorologists predict.

According to the Hydrometeorological Center, in the summer of 2026, the south of Central Russia, the Volga region, the Urals, as well as the southern regions of Siberia and the Far East will be in the zone of greatest vulnerability.

In June, the greatest risk is expected in the south of the Central Federal District, primarily in Voronezh, Kursk, Belgorod and neighboring regions, in the southern part of the Volga region and the southern regions of the European part of Russia. In the Asian part of the country, fires are possible in Altai, Tuva, Transbaikalia, certain areas of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Yakutia, as well as the Far East — Primorsky Krai, Magadan Region and Kamchatka.

In July, which is traditionally considered the hottest month of the year, the high KPO zone may expand significantly. The most tense situation is predicted in the north of the European part of Russia — in the Murmansk region, Karelia, Komi and Arkhangelsk regions and the southern regions of the country. In Siberia and the Far East, high fire danger classes are expected in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Irkutsk Region, Tuva, Yakutia, in places in the Magadan Region and Kamchatka.

By August, despite a gradual decrease in average temperatures, the centers of maximum fire danger will remain in the Urals (in particular, in the Chelyabinsk region), in southern Siberia — in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Irkutsk Region, Transbaikalia and Yakutia. In the European part of Russia, the situation will depend on the amount of precipitation. With their shortage, the high risk of fires will continue into late summer.