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Today it's our first snowfall of the year. Not much snow, though - just enough to make everything look white. It's also gotten colder, only -2C today, but it's still far from the REAL cold that we will have coming very soon.

I miss the "babye leto" that we had in September, when it was +15..+20 C and so sunny, and so unlike northern Russian autumn! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Eric, so you also have "babie lato" as we do. I love this time of year. This autumn it was really long.
We had the first frost in the morning but not yet snow.
Don't take any offense but I have heard people in Siberia once they close their windows in autumn don't open them until spring comes. Is there any truth in that or just a myth?

Eric, enjoy! Do you ride on sleds? Carl

Eric,

thanks for posting... now I realized it was already in September! My gosh, how is a weather in Saint Petersburg now? Here in Idaho - it is amazing how warm it is during the day and cold at night, but no snow yet, God bless...

How I miss the "babye leto" - it was such a warm and pleasant September! It's a little warmer today here in Petersburg, maybe +2 and sunny. But, still, how I long for the warm weather!

Siberia has among the most severe weather extremes on the planet! Summer temperatures in many parts of Siberia rise to even +30, but in the winter, -50 is not uncommon. So, yes, it's true - once the cold weather arrives, people close their windows (many people even put large pieces of material all along the windows to seal them even better) for up to 6 or 7 months at a time!

No wonder they drink so much vodka. To keep the blood from freezing in your veins. LOL. A bit too cold for me. We had some hail on Wednesday and thre were reports of snow isn some parts but basiclly wet and a bit chilly here. Tomorrow they are predicting weather in the 60's.

No, Carl, I've never ridden in a sled. I don't like the idea of cold air moving past my face any faster than necessary!

I'm sure you're aware of the traditional "troika" - the famous Russian sleigh pulled by a team of three horses. The horses on the sides have their heads turned in either direction, so the look of the "troika" is always very well-known.

Eric,

trojka was not only popular in Russia but also in Poland. we had some painters that always exclusively weer painting horses (Kossak family). I remember an amazing picture of three horses as like they were just coming into somebody looking at them. I could not find it on the web now, maybe somebody else would have a better luck.

Eric, I'm familiar with troika. I rode in one run by Russian emigres as a kid in Bronx, NY in 1950's. Carl

We are still awaiting snow near Anchorage, Alaska. We have a dusting and perhaps an inch or two will come in teh next few days. The winters are later in coming and are measurably warmer than they were 30 years ago. Engineers are starting to plan for the melting permafrost.

In Summer of '07 I expect to visit St Petersburg.
Kai