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.

Heavy snowfall started early Wednesday morning, with forecasters predicting that up to 25 centimetres of snow will fall in the next three days.

Local authorities promised to use more than 15,000 snow-ploughs to clean up the roads.

The mayor's office urged locals to keep their cars off the roads and use public transport instead.

Temperatures are expected to go below minus 20 degrees Celsius in the next 24 hours.

Even for Moscow, known for its harsh climate, the snowfall is unusual this time of the year.

This week, Russians traditionally mark the coming of spring with celebrations.