in Karaganda.  The weather.com site list the temp as 0 F.  In Kyiv, it is finally snowing so it will help get people in the mood for the Holy Days that are fast approaching.

A phenomena I have noticed this year is that so many shops have put their New Year trees up so early.  Normally this happens a week or so before New Year.  However, all across Moscow and Kyiv it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!