Yerevan sees record snowfall in 10 hours

PanARMENIAN.Net - A powerful snowstorm hit Yerevan on February 20, with 15 mm of snow falling in just 10 hours—equivalent to half the city’s monthly norm.

According to Gagik Surenyan, deputy director of the Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center, heavy snowfall affected the entire country, leading to road closures, paralyzed traffic, and disrupted public transport.

The Armenian Rescue Service reported that several roads across the country are either closed or difficult to pass.

As of 10:08 AM on February 21, the following roads are closed:

-In Aragatsotn Province: the roads from Amberd meteorological station to Kari Lake and Amberd Fortress.

-The Berd-Chambarak road is impassable for all vehicles.

-The Vardenyats Pass (snow, fog, blizzard) is closed for trucks and difficult for other vehicles.

-The Dilijan and Tigranashen bends, as well as roads from Jermuk’s junction to Kapan and from Syunik village to Tatev, are closed for trucks with trailers.

-The Artashavan-Tsilkar road is closed for trucks.

Difficult road conditions are also reported on the Spitak-Gyumri highway and the road from Jermuk’s junction to Syunik Province. Additionally, sections of the Vanadzor-Spitak (up to the 12th km), Vanadzor-Dzoraget, Vanadzor-Dilijan, and Vanadzor-Stepanavan highways are closed for trucks and trailers.

All roads in Lori and Tavush provinces, as well as the Meghru Sar mountain pass, are difficult to navigate for all vehicles. The Spitak bends and some roads in Tavush Province are especially challenging for trucks.

Snow is currently falling in Kotayk, Syunik, Ararat, Armavir, Lori, and Vayots Dzor provinces, as well as in Dilijan and the Dilijan bends. Some areas in Tavush and the Alagyaz region, as well as the Tigranashen bends, are affected by ice.

Blizzards are reported along the 25-40 km section of the Yerevan-Sevan road, Lanjik-Mastara, Horom-Artik-Mets Mantash, Gyumri-Jajur, Charentsavan-Fantan, and Charentsavan-Arzakan roads. Fog is affecting the Ashtarak region.

Authorities urge drivers to use winter tires exclusively.

According to the Emergency Situations Ministries of Georgia and Russia’s North Ossetia, the Stepantsminda-Lars highway is completely closed for all types of vehicles.