Inured to interminable winters, Muscovites have been stunned this year by spring-like temperatures and virtually snow-free sidewalks after the Russian capital recorded its warmest January in history.
It is the first time that Moscow's average temperature in January has hovered around zero degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahreinheit), say Russian meteorological experts, who say the city has broken warm weather records this month as well.
Flowers have bloomed early, zoo animals have prematurely woken from their winter slumber, winter sports enthusiasts have had to travel further to find snow, and the city's outdoor musicians have hit the streets early.