Russia records highest number of dangerous natural phenomena

Moscow, Dec 28 (UNI) The highest number of "dangerous and unfavourable natural phenomena" in the history of meteorological observation were observed in Russia in 2006 Director of Russia's Hydrometeorology Centre Roman Vilfand said today.

Mr Vilfand said between January and November this year, 371 dangerous natural phenomena including extreme cold, heat waves, strong winds and rains, were registered across Russia.

''The year also ends unusually with abnormally warm weather in late November and December when plants began to bloom in some areas,'' Vilfand told mediapersons.

Earlier, the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring said extreme deviations in weather patterns were observed before, but over the past decade they became more and more frequent.

After the near-record low temperature during last winter's cold spell, which saw the mercury plummet to minus 31 degrees Centigrade on January 19 (one degree above the all-time low for Moscow), European Russia experienced record warm temperatures in December 2006.

Mr Vilfand, however, said this year's unusually warm start of winter in Russia should not be associated with global warming.

Rather the reason for this year's unusual weather was the presence of a strong anticyclone over Greenland, which "orchestrated" the weather over European Russia, he added.

UNI XC PB HT1732