Are we crazy to plan a trip to Moscow/St P in late March??
 

We're looking at a trip to Moscow/St. Petersburg in late March 2007. I am just curious about how cold it will really be.

I am a southern girl and have lived in warm climates most of my life, but we do have pretty good winter gear (from skiing and from currently living in a colder climate).

From previous posts (all several years old) - it sounds do-able. Any recent feedback?

Also, we will be going with our 2 young teenagers (13, 15), so any suggestions about things they might enjoy would be appreciated!! My younger son went to Moscow last May, but the only thing he talks about are all the "cool" cars he saw!!! You would never know he went to the Kremlin and Red Square!

Haven't looked at hotels in either place yet, but I will post again when I get to that point!

It will be VERY cold. And thre is likely to be a lot of snow - although from limited experience they're good at cleanng it off city streets.

I was in St Pet September 8 to 13th and the high for the day was about 40, damp and windy - I wore almost everything I had with me when I went out. The local people already had their winter coats on. (I had just come from Stockholm - where it was about 70, and before that NYC - where it was about 85.)

So - I would assume March is still full winter and bring your warmest coats, etc, warm waterproof boots and lots of layers.

If that is when you can go, do it. Take warm clothes, layers, and most especially boots that are for wet cold walking.

Gretchen - we actually have several different opportunities to go since we live not too far away (in Azerbaijan).

Part of my interest in going at this time is that there is a possibility of us transfering there in a couple of years. So I thought this would be a good chance to see how bad it might be!

Hot and cold weather can often be a matter of perception, so what to one person is "VERY cold" may not be to another. I live in what is regarded as the second coldest capital city in the world after Ulan Bator (no, it's not Moscow), so my perception of cold might differ from that of a person from a warmer climate.

Rather than depend on people's impressions, you might want to look at the historical data for those two cities, which you can find at Weather Underground

http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/27612.html

We are going to Moscow early April - the avg. temp. then will be 50 F. Great city ... have a great time.

I agree that your perception of "cold" may be very different than others. Think of the positives... Saint Basils in the snow looks like a fairytale :)

One piece of advice: warm socks and good boots.

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Hi, Grcxx,

Moscow will likely still be under feet of snow which usually doesn't melt over the winter. It will start thawing right around the time you are there, at end of March - beginning of April, with icicles dripping from the roofs of buildings and the brilliant winter sun reflected from the snow. It can get quite dirty, slushy and wet, so I would recommend waterproof boots. You will probably still need a winter jacket, a scarf, gloves, hat. Muscovites like to wear wool socks.

Hope it helps. I grew up in Moscow, although it's been a while :-) ...

-e

we have only been to moscow once, and for a week at valentine's day. it was absolutely beautiful and captivating.

it was completely under snow the entire time, and fortunately the winds were not fierce that week.

The first time I journeyed to Russia (USSR, actuallly) was in a December-January period ... tje old Winter Festival tour offered years ago by Thos. Cook and Sons ... and in the seven weeks our tiny group was in Moscow-St. P/Kiev ... no snow whatsoever ... nada ... and the locals were very unhappy ... they said it actually made for a more intense cold. Go and enjoy Russia, and forget about the weather ... and think good shoes and layers, and you'll be just fine. And do post a report. We depart very early April, and would love to hear about your adventure. And did you know you can register on-line at the Marinsky (formerly Kirov - Leningrad days) and purchase tix up to two months in advance ... that is as far out as they list ballet and opera. By the rate, the R rate today = 26.910. Ciao, L

YES

Ciao Leone,

I have never criticized anyone on this forum, but find the advice you choose to dispense fairly irresponsible.

The statisticaly unlikely delay in snow you happened to have experienced is a fluke, and the last thing you should do in Moscow in March is "forget about the weather".

You further contradict yourself siting more intense cold in the absense of snow (and the protective cover it provides)...

The one thing I would add to your advice is to bring one's favorite cold medication, as you are about as likely to find it in Russia as a snowless winter....

-e

Perhaps some may need to read more carefully. Fluke, of course. Usually it snows, and the Russians we spoke with were disappointed there was no snow ... and told us that the cold was more intense as a result. Local knowledge ... why should it upset anyone? Where's the irresponsibility? Regrets that you've become upset with my helpful response ... cannot for the life of me understand why. But do have a good day. Ciao, L

Grcxx3, have you moved to Azerbaijan recently? Normally, people who live in Azerbaijan know what kind of weather to expect in Moscow; the same as people from Russia know what kind of weather to expect in Baku. It was the same country not that far ago...
In any case, March is a very unpleasant month in Moscow or St Petersburg. It will be cold, prop ably windy, a lot dirty melting snow, etc...
CiaoLeone is absolutely correct. If your goal is to enjoy the wonderful museums, theaters, palaces etc, then forget about the weather. If your goal is to enjoy the parks around St Petersburg, then I would forget about going in March. If your goal is to find out how bad it might be, then I would try February.

Enroute, by the way, the winters are really much colder in Russia, when there is no snow.

CiaoL - I found your reply interesting, not irresponsible. Weather is unpredictable and you just have to deal with it! We've done ski vacations and Germany and Austria at Christmas. It was cold, but we were dressed for it. It seems like Russia will be colder - but again, we'll just try to be prepared.

Any suggestions for things that young teens might especially enjoy!

We've been in Azerbaijan about 18 months - but came from Egypt. I have asked many people here about the weather and have gotten everything from "don't go!" to "you'll have a great time!"

I guess I just wanted to make sure it was do-able, and from what everyone has said - it is. We aren't worried about parks - mainly museums, palaces, and theatres. So I think we'll be okay.

Grcxx3, you'll have a great time! What difference the weather makes if you are in Hermitage or Bolshoy Theater?
There is a very good WWII museum in Moscow that your boys might enjoy (I liked it as a kid). Have fun! These are two beautiful cities, and now days they even have good food.

Helen - thanks for the tip on the WWII museum. My husband and boys are all military history buffs!

And, while I know this is going to sound awful, I am actually looking forward to eating in some of the US chain restaurants that are in Moscow - Hard Rock, TGIFridays, etc! We don't have any here, and we seldom eat in them when we're in the US, but somehow - on the road - it's a nice treat!

Why do people suggest "layers" if you are going to a place that is definitely going to be frigid?

If the weather predictions you've received are true I would personally ditch the weight of all those extra layers and replace them with some silk underwear and a decent down-filled coat/jacket.

Why schlepp extra stuff along unless you want to of course...

Dukey - we all have silk underwear and it's wonderful and we've got good coats (altho not all down-filled). Now, I just need to make sure we all have hats, boots, and gloves that fit!