Synoptic situation in the Moscow region on June 12, 2020 was determined by the baric saddle and the passage of a cold front with waves through the Moscow region during the day. Cloud systems were formed under conditions of high convective instability of the atmosphere and intensive development of cumulonimbus clouds. Precipitation moved from west to east, accompanied by thunderstorms and hail.

Flight operations to improve weather conditions in Moscow on June 12, 2020 were started at 01:41 MSK, when an AN-12 (b/n 12) aircraft was lifted into the air from the Chkalovsky airfield, which began exposing packages with coarse powders to the clouds of the cold front at distances of 180-200 km north -northwest of Moscow at an altitude of 6400 m.

Then, from 04:08 MSK Yak-42D “Roshydromet” meteorological laboratory aircraft was lifted into the air to conduct meteorological exploration and at 05:34. An-12 (b/n 15) aircraft was lifted to carry out impacts with packages of coarse powders in order to destroy precipitation-forming clouds at north-northwest of Moscow.

At 8:00 MSK, the forward part of the cold front cloud system approached at distances of 100-150 km to the northwest of Moscow. In the frontal clouds, numerous convective cells up to 12-14 km high were observed with thunderstorms and in places with hail. The intensity of precipitation, according to radar observations, in some places reached 50 mm/h.

Taking into account the meteorological situation, six more aircrafts (two AN-12 and four AN-26) were lifted into the air during the period from 8:00 to 10:35 MSK. As a result of intensive seeding of convective clouds, it was possible to reduce the intensity and the area of precipitation in the northern districts of the city adjacent to the Moscow Ring Road.

In the period from 12:00 to 17:00 MSK, impacts were carried out by six aircrafts in order to suppress convective precipitation in the western and northern sectors.

After 17:00 MSK up to five aircrafts took part in the work, alternately replacing each other. According to radar observations, no precipitation was observed in the city after 11 o’clock MSK.

The works on the weather protection of Moscow was completed on June 12, 2020 at 24:00 MSK.

A total of 16 flights were carried out on June 12, 2020.

Digital maps of precipitation intensity  at 08:00 MSK on June 12, 2020.

 

Digital maps of precipitation intensity  at 08:00 MSK on June 12, 2020.

 

Digital maps of cloud heights at 21:30 MSK on June 12, 2020.

 

Digital maps of precipitation intensity  at 21:30 MSK on June 12, 2020.