Meteorologists - After Two Months, Russia's Deadly Heatwave Officially Over - Reuters

[hatrack]

(Reuters) - Russian meteorologists said on Wednesday Moscow's deadly heat wave was ending after two months of searing weather which took a high human and economic toll.

"Today is the last hot day in Moscow," said Roman Vilfand, head of the meteorological service. The capital's temperature will plunge from Wednesday's 31 degrees Celsius (88 F) to 21-23 (70-73 F) on Thursday, he said.

Muscovites woke up on Wednesday to what seemed like the remains of the acrid smoke from forest and peat bog fires that had blanketed the capital for two weeks. Rains of varied intensity were expected in almost all regions of European Russia, the Urals, Siberia and the country's Far East though to the weekend, Roshydromet said on its website.

Officials broke the silence over the effects of the heat and smoke on Aug. 9, when the head of Moscow's health department, Andrei Seltsovsky, said deaths had doubled to 700 per day and heat was the main cause. The heat wave and drought are also estimated to have destroyed a quarter of Russia's grain crop and could shave $14 billion off this year's gross domestic product.

EDIT

http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-50922420100818

[Hell Hath No Fury]

1. Welcome to our future.

I wish I were kidding. :cry:

[corpseratemedia]

2. wonder what the ultimate real death toll will be?

what a horrific summer for those in Russia and Pakistan

[Odin2005]

3. Meanwhile, they are predicting that a Cape Verde hurricane is about to form.

And the models yesterday were showing it barreling up the East Coast, hitting DC and NYC.