CHISINAU, January 10, 20:26 /ITAR-TASS/. First spring flowers have come out in Moldova amid the calendar winter - a bizarre situation for a country where winter months are typically associated with the air temperatures in range of minus 3 to 0 degrees Celsius.
Although the sight of such an early blossom is like a balm to the hearts of many Moldovans, experts warn that the phenomenon, which has apparently been caused by global warming, may affect the status of people’s health and the future crops.
“Thermometers show the temperatures of around 7 degrees Celsius these days here in Chisinau while usually we have sub-zero temperatures at this time of the year,” meteorologist Nadezda Marian told reporters. “Weather of this kind is registered here once in more than ten years.”
The spell of warmth, so untypical of January, is highly detrimental for winter grain crops and it may set off the blossoming of other plants, too. Besides, the warm and highly humid air has created favorable conditions for the spread of bacteria and viruses, bringing up a big caseload of respiratory diseases.
Weather forecasts also say that winter may return to this country in February.