The Republic of Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai in eastern Russia recorded their first snowfall of the season on Tuesday, September 29.
According to Russian television broadcaster Pyaty Kanal, residents in both regions woke to snow-covered streets and heavy snowdrifts replacing autumn leaves, with snow falling in large flakes across several locations.
Footage captured by eyewitnesses showed thick snow blanketing roadways, house roofs, and trees that had not yet fully shed their leaves. Local residents noted that the first snow arrived earlier in 2026 than usual.
Following the sudden shift in weather conditions, emergency rescue services urged residents of the Republic of Buryatia to refrain from going out onto water bodies or embarking on outdoor tourist routes. Authorities also advised motorists to exercise heightened caution on roads and to postpone long-distance travel whenever possible.
The Republic of Buryatia is a federal subject of Russia situated in south-central Siberia along the eastern shore of Lake Baikal, sharing an international border with Mongolia. Zabaykalsky Krai lies immediately to the east, bordering both China and Mongolia, with its administrative centre located in the city of Chita.
Both Siberian regions feature subarctic and severe continental climates known for freezing winters. However, early autumn snow accumulation in late September frequently creates immediate safety hazards for motorists and hikers before seasonal road maintenance and winter travel preparations are fully established.
Impending weather in Khabarovsk Krai
The snowfall in Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai follows earlier warnings issued to residents of Khabarovsk Krai regarding imminent snow precipitation. According to weather reports, the cold front will soon cover multiple municipal areas in the region.
The expected precipitation is forecast to affect Sovetsko-Gavansky District and Vaninsky District, along with the territory of Komsomolsky District and Ulchsky District.
Khabarovsk Krai is a large territory in the Russian Far East extending along the Pacific coast of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Amur River basin, where early seasonal weather shifts frequently bring sharp temperature drops and coastal precipitation.
