Key Takeaways:
- Cyclone Roman will trigger a Belarus cold snap across much of the country over the New Year, with temperatures falling as low as -20°C in places.
- Snow and blizzard conditions will persist in the east while an anticyclonic ridge clears skies in the west, increasing radiative cooling.
- Authorities have issued orange warnings for ice and gusty winds; emergency services advise against non-essential travel.
Cyclone Roman is set to deliver a sharp Belarus cold snap over the New Year period, meteorologists say, with temperatures forecast to fall as low as -20°C across the northern and central parts of the country.
Belarus cold snap forecast
Snow spread across Belarus from 28 December, and by the morning of 30 December even the western cities of Brest and Grodno had picked up a modest cover. On the country’s eastern flank, drifts of up to 18 centimetres were reported. Forecasters warn that the overall snowy picture will remain largely unchanged through the end of the calendar year.
According to the Telegram channel Meteovibe, the changes are driven by cyclone Roman as it shifts slowly eastward and loses intensity. Cold arctic air will be funnelled into Belarus along the cyclone’s western periphery, producing a pronounced drop in temperatures as the New Year approaches.
On 31 December a weak blizzard is expected nationwide, with western districts receiving less snow than the east. Night-time lows are forecast at -5°C to -10°C, with daytime highs remaining below freezing at about -3°C to -9°C.
Meteovibe adds that on New Year’s Eve the cyclone’s influence will persist over the eastern half of the country, keeping skies cloudy with light snow there. Meanwhile an anticyclonic ridge will extend over the west and centre, clearing clouds and setting the stage for intense radiational cooling overnight. Under clear skies, temperatures could plunge to -8°C to -14°C and, in places across the north-west and central regions, fall further to -15°C to -20°C.
New Year’s Day, 1 January, will see a resurgence of unsettled weather as a large Scandinavian cyclone approaches. Blizzards could return, with the heaviest snowfall expected by evening in the west, particularly in the Grodno and Brest regions. Daytime values will remain well below zero, roughly -7°C to -12°C nationally and milder in the west at -1°C to -6°C; night-time lows could reach -15°C to -17°C.
Short-lived milder conditions are predicted for 2 January, when temperatures may approach freezing accompanied by renewed snow and blizzard conditions. Preliminary outlooks indicate the cold will persist through at least the first ten days of January, meaning the winter will remain firmly with Belarusians for the start of the year.
The Belarus Hydrometeorological Service has issued an orange level weather warning through 31 December because of widespread icy conditions and gusty winds. The Ministry of Emergency Situations has advised people to avoid non-essential travel by private car until conditions improve.
Drivers and residents should prepare for slippery roads, reduced visibility in snow and blizzard conditions, and the potential for power disruptions in exposed areas. Local authorities are mobilising resources to treat roads and assist stranded motorists. Citizens are advised to follow official updates and heed safety guidance while the Belarus cold snap affects the country.
