Moscow: Moscow region woke up this morning to a snowstorm, APA's Russian bureau reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, a southern cyclone that originated over the Balkan Peninsula has reached Moscow. Meteorologists forecast that the snowfall could become one of the heaviest in February in terms of precipitation. It is expected that up to half of the daily norm will fall, with snow depth increasing from the current half meter to 80-90 centimeters.

The heavy snowfall has caused major traffic congestion in Moscow. Yandex reported traffic levels reaching 9 out of 10. The Moscow Ring Road has come to a standstill. On the M4 'Don' highway in the Moscow region, more than 100 drivers were stuck in a 20-kilometer traffic jam. The snowstorm, referred to as 'Valli,' caused 12 accidents, including one involving a patrol vehicle.

The heavy snow also affected tram routes. Trains running from Strogino to Shchukinskaya were disrupted as crossings were covered with snow, obstructing wagon movement. At Sheremetyevo International Airport, around 10 flights from St. Petersburg, Penza, Murmansk, and Yekaterinburg were canceled. The departure board at Vnukovo also turned red, with almost all flights delayed by 30 to 90 minutes. In total, cancellations and delays affected approximately 150 flights.

In the Bitsevsky Forest area of the Central Chertanovo district, the roof of an ice-skating rink collapsed. No injuries were reported. The mayor's office stated that the capital's municipal services continue to operate in an intensified work regime.