Heavy snowfall accompanied by fierce winds paralyzed traffic Friday in the Russian Far East city of Anadyr, an Emergency Ministry official said.

A blizzard warning was issued for the coast of the Bering Sea and Anadyr, capital of the Far East Chukotka State, due to the approach of a strong cyclone. The rescue preparation level in Chukotka was raised to the highest.

Many businesses, institutions and the city's airport were forced to close.

The severe weather will continue till Saturday, according to weather forecasts. However, a new wave of storms is expected Sunday.