Video: Rare April snowfall in Moscow surprises forecasters

After an unusually mild winter, Moscow was abruptly thrust back into deep winter this week as powerful blizzards swept across the city, covering streets, rooftops, and parks in thick snow. The sudden return of winter was captured in a now-viral video, showing near-whiteout conditions as wind-driven snow transformed the Russian capital into a frosty landscape almost overnight.

In just a few days, Moscow has received nearly a month's snowfall — an event Russian meteorologists say is highly unusual for April. "Such a significant return of winter weather this late in the season is rare," forecasters noted, citing the unusually warm temperatures that preceded the storm.

The late-season snowstorm caused significant disruption across the city. Traffic slowed to a crawl on slick roads, dozens of flights were delayed or cancelled, and emergency crews were deployed to clear significant thoroughfares and ensure pedestrian safety.