[68576] Unprecedented heatwave in Moscow: 129-year temperature record broken

Extreme heatwave in Moscow: Historical record broken

On Tuesday, May 20, 2026, Moscow experienced an unusual heatwave that led to breaking a temperature record held for 129 years. According to data from Hydrometcenter, the temperature at the main meteorological station at VDNKh reached +30 degrees Celsius, thus surpassing the previous record measured in 1897 (+29.7 degrees).

Numerous reports on social media, including those from Новости Москвы, noted that in some parts of the Russian capital, local thermometers measured temperatures between +37 and +38 degrees. The channel Двач, known for its critical stance towards the government, described the weather as "anomalous extreme heat." Conversely, official and pro-government bodies such as ТАСС focused on official station data while providing safety recommendations from the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The public in Moscow responded with deep concerns. Public transport passengers reported "hellish conditions" inside buses, as Подъём documented complaints about malfunctioning air conditioning systems. In response, Мосгортранс stated that "no bus will depart on a route if the climate control system is faulty."

Despite the intense heat, weather experts including Yevgeny Tishkovets from the "Phobos" center report that the heat will soon be replaced by autumn-like weather. Starting next week, showers, thunderstorms, and a sharp drop in temperatures of up to 15 degrees are expected, which will lead to an early end to the current heatwave.