Local media (incl. BBC Russia) tells of varied behaviour of other planes that night at Rostov airport. One, from Moscow, attempted landings three times, stubbornly, and went away, as didn't succeed. That took place within these 2 hours while the plane cruised around the airport - plus 1 hour. Within 3 hours, in total.
Another one, from St. Petersburg, just, like, gave up at once, and landed in Krasnodar, instead.
The third one, from Yekaterinburg - landed from the first attempt (to annoy metropolitan ones :o, no doubt) moreover, took passengers and took off again, all within an hour, on schedule. So, weather was a factor and of concern to other pilots - simultaneoulsy there - above Rostov airport. Locals on the ground (in plain words) described it as ? say"drizzle" (annoying but not heavy rain) plus ? "intermitting gusts of wind" . (one guy said he re-parked his car away , from under a high tree, afraid the tree would fall). So, quite some wind gusts. Additionally, there seems to be something else. which only black boxes will tell about. ;o( as other planes managed somehow.