Hazardous Weather Alert Issued
Ukraine's State Hydrometeorological Center (Ukrgidromettsentr) has issued a first-level (yellow) hazardous weather warning for Sunday, January 28. The forecast calls for freezing rain, icy deposits on surfaces, fog, precipitation, and significant temperature fluctuations, which are expected to disrupt transportation and utility services. Meteorologists attribute these conditions to a low-pressure system and a warm, humid air mass moving from the Black Sea, which will cause a drop in atmospheric pressure and high humidity levels. Yellow-level warnings in Ukraine indicate potentially dangerous conditions that require public attention.
Weather Forecast for January 28
The most difficult conditions are anticipated on roadways. Freezing rain is forecast for most central and northern regions, including the Kharkiv oblast. Icy deposits on roads are expected across the country, except in the southern regions and Zakarpattia. On the Right Bank of the Dnipro River, visibility will be reduced by fog to 200-500 meters. Light snow, turning to rain during the day, is predicted for western, northern, and central oblasts, while the rest of the country is not expected to see significant precipitation.
Winds will be predominantly southerly at 5-10 m/s. In Kyiv and the surrounding oblast, January 28 will be cloudy with light precipitation, mainly rain. Fog, freezing rain, and icy roads are expected. Temperatures in Kyiv will range from -3 to -5°C at night to around 0°C during the day.
Temperature ranges across Ukraine will vary significantly:
- On the Left Bank, nighttime temperatures could drop as low as -9°C;
- In the south, nighttime temperatures will range from -1°C to +4°C;
- Daytime temperatures in the south will be between +3°C and +8°C;
- On the Crimean peninsula, daytime highs may reach +7°C to +12°C.
The weather service warned that these conditions could complicate operations for energy, construction, and utility companies, as well as all forms of transport.
Ukrgidromettsentr cautions that the hazardous weather phenomena may adversely affect transportation and the work of municipal services.
Given the icy and foggy conditions, drivers are advised to exercise extreme caution on the roads, and the public is urged to plan travel with the forecast in mind. These meteorological conditions are also likely to impact energy and construction sectors, posing additional operational challenges during this period.