Russia’s Far East Hit by Heaviest Snowfall in 60 Years

Local authorities warned of dangerous seas and continued transport disruption.

Snow covers the lower floors of an apartment block after an extreme snowstorm hit the far eastern city of Petropavlovsk Kamchatskiy, Russia, on Jan. 15, 2026. Lydmila Moskvicheva/Reuters

Russia’s Far East was buried under the heaviest snowfall in 60 years on Jan. 20 as a powerful winter system swept across parts of Asia.

A state of emergency has been in effect in the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky urban district since Jan. 16, the city administration said on Jan. 20.