Ukraine Braces for Arctic Blast: Temperatures to Plummet to -30°C in February 2026

Forecast Details: Severe Arctic Cold Front to Hit Ukraine

According to Главком: A powerful Arctic anticyclone is set to envelop Ukraine starting February 1, 2026, bringing with it dangerously low temperatures. The peak of this extreme cold is forecast for the period from February 1 to February 3, 2026. In response, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) has declared a Level III (red) danger alert for a series of oblasts. Such severe winter weather events, while not unprecedented, pose significant risks to infrastructure and public health.

Projected Temperatures and Affected Regions

The hardest-hit areas are expected to be the following oblasts:

• Kyiv
• Chernihiv
• Rivne
• Sumy
• Poltava
• Kharkiv
• Zhytomyr

In Kyiv, nighttime temperatures will drop to -20...-25°C, with daytime highs of -15...-22°C. The northern and eastern regions could see the mercury fall as low as -30°C. Across the country, excluding Transcarpathia and the far south, average nighttime temperatures will range from -20...-27°C.

The frigid Arctic air mass is predicted to begin retreating on February 4–5, 2026, with a gradual warming expected from the west and southwest. In the coming days, precipitation is forecast for most oblasts, except in the east. Central and northern regions may experience ice and glaze formation. Gusty winds of 7-12 m/s are also expected, with local gusts reaching 15-20 m/s.

Therefore, residents must prepare for the anomalously cold weather and exercise caution during this period.

Given these forecasts, it is crucial for citizens to prepare for potential impacts, including disruptions to transport, strain on energy systems, and risks to personal safety. State services urge people to follow safety recommendations, particularly due to the heightened health risks associated with such extreme cold.