Weather Forecast for Late January
Ukraine is set for a dramatic shift in weather, with a sharp thaw bringing rain and potential ice following a bitterly cold weekend. Natalia Ptukha, a forecaster at the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center, provided the outlook for the end of January. This pattern of winter instability is common for the region, where rapid temperature swings can create hazardous travel conditions.
The weekend of January 24-25 will remain wintry, with nighttime temperatures in the northeast and east plunging to -10 to -15 degrees Celsius. Daytime highs there will range from -5 to -12 degrees. Meanwhile, in the south, Zakarpattia, and Prykarpattia, daytime temperatures could reach up to +3 degrees.
A Major Weather Shift Ahead
A radical change will begin on Monday, January 26, as atmospheric fronts carrying warm air move into Ukraine. Temperatures are expected to rise by 3-5 degrees. Precipitation is forecast, with snow transitioning to wet snow and rain. Meteorologists are also warning of possible ice accretion (glaze ice) due to the collision of warm and cold air masses.
In Kyiv, Saturday's daytime high will be around -7 degrees, but by Monday it will climb to +1 degree. On January 27-28, the capital will see temperatures around zero with rain and wet snow. Natalia Ptukha stated,
"There will be a noticeable, even a slight jump, one could say, in terms of temperature,"linked to the arrival of warm fronts. She also noted,
"Incidentally, there may be ice in some places,"due to the mixing of different air masses. Precise forecasts beyond five days are premature.
This weather shift underscores the typical winter instability in Ukraine's climate, where sharp temperature fluctuations can lead to dangerous phenomena like ice storms. Such changes can impact transportation and daily life, making it important for residents to monitor forecasts and exercise caution on roads.
Observations over the coming weeks will provide more information on the duration and intensity of these changes.