Residents of Moscow are surely used to wintry weather-- but the city is bracing itself for the biggest March snowfall on record in 50 years.<br/> <br />Heavy snowfall started early Wednesday morning, with forecasters predicting that up to 25 centimetres of snow will fall in the next three days.<br/> <br />Local authorities promised to use more than 15,000 snow-ploughs to clean up the roads.<br/> <br />The mayor's office urged locals to keep their cars off the roads and use public transport instead.<br/> <br />Temperatures are expected to go below minus 20 degrees Celsius in the next 24 hours.<br/> <br />Even for Moscow, known for its harsh climate, the snowfall is unusual this time of the year.<br/> <br />This week, Russians traditionally mark the coming of spring with celebrations.
