"Full-fledged winter has arrived in the European part of Russia," Roman Vilfand, director of the state Meteorological Centre, said.

The two deaths in the Russian capital were from hypothermia, while eight others were hospitalised over the past 24 hours, Russian news agencies reported, citing the health services.

Temperatures of about minus 10 Celsius (14 Fahrenheit) accompanied a thick snowfall over Moscow. Gusty winds filled the air with ice crystals.

On the roads, traffic slowed to a standstill, while 16 flights to the capital's Vnukovo airport and two bound for nearby Domededovo Airport were diverted, Interfax news agency reported.

Moscow traffic police spokesman Igor Koloskov said there had been 1,650 minor traffic accidents since Wednesday, up from the usual level of about 1,000-1,200 a day.

"The situation in the city is complicated as many people did not heed our advice to use public transport," Koloskov said. "There is ice on many roads and snow clearing will take the priority over everything else."

Temperatures in Moscow were forecast to range Thursday from minus nine Celsius to minus 14 (16 to seven Fahrenheit), dipping as low as minus 20 Celsius (minus four Fahrenheit) later in the week.

The change in weather came as a relief to many in Russia, which usually experiences freezing temperatures as early as October with heavy snowfalls by late November.

Until this week in the European part of Russia weather had been so mild that many days resembled spring, with birds singing and people wearing light clothing. Medical experts said the absence of crisp cold days and gleaming snow was contributing to depression among Russians.

Winter arrived more on time in the eastern parts of Russia, although less severe than usual. In the northeastern district of Chukotka polar bears were unable to take their usual migration routes because of insufficiently thick Arctic ice.

Vilfand said temperatures in the east were also now forecast to fall.

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