Blizzards, snowdrifts, icy conditions. Forecasters told about the weather for January 9-14
January 8, 2026
The Republican Center for Hydrometeorology, Radioactive Contamination Monitoring and Environmental Management of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection told BelTA what weather Belarusians can expect this week.
"January this year is in line with all the canons of a harsh winter month: cracking frosts, high snowdrifts, howling blizzards. In the next 24 hours, with the support of the inclement southern cyclone 'Ulli', the second winter month will test the resilience of Belarus, especially its eastern part, which will be at the epicenter of events. Thus, anomalous snowfalls are expected in the warm front zone, after which snowdrifts up to half a meter high may form in some places. At the same time, road conditions will be extremely difficult: snowdrifts, ice buildup, reduced visibility, blizzards, strong gusty winds. Therefore, it is best to limit the use of vehicles as much as possible on this day. Further, after the snowstorm, the weather will give a respite, snowfalls will weaken, but frosts will intensify," the Belhydromet reported.
And now for a more detailed forecast. In the coming days (January 9), complex weather conditions are expected in Belarus. Under the influence of active atmospheric fronts from the southern cyclone moving from Ukraine to the Bryansk region of Russia, heavy snow will occur in most districts of the country, and very heavy snow at night in the southeast (most of Gomel and Mogilev regions). At the same time, the wind will strengthen in most of the territory with gusts of 15-20 m/s, and at night in some areas of the Mogilev region - up to 24 m/s. Strong gusty winds combined with snowfall will lead to blizzards and contribute to the formation of snowdrifts on the country's roads. Due to dangerous and unfavorable hydrometeorological phenomena, the highest level of danger (red) has been announced for January 9 (Friday). On January 10 (Saturday), the influence of the southern cyclone will persist, so precipitation will continue in most districts of the country. However, as the cyclone fills, its intensity will decrease. In the night hours, strong gusty winds will persist in some places.
The temperature background will mainly be within minus 8-16 degrees Celsius, only on January 9 in the southeast it will be from minus 4 to minus 7 degrees, and at night on January 10, with clear spells, the air will cool down to minus 18. On Friday, January 9, there will be intermittent snow, heavy snow in most parts of the country, and very heavy snow at night in the southeast.
Blizzards are expected in many areas, with snowdrifts on the roads. Ice is possible on some sections of the roads. In many areas, wind is expected to strengthen with gusts of 15-20 m/s, at night up to 24 m/s in places. The air temperature at night will range from minus 4 degrees in the southeast to minus 16 degrees in the north, during the day it will be minus 8-14 degrees Celsius, in the southeast - minus 4-7. On Saturday, January 10, there will be intermittent snow. Ice is expected on some sections of the roads. At night, wind is expected to strengthen in places with gusts of 15-18 m/s, with light blizzards. The air temperature throughout the day will be minus 9-14 degrees Celsius, at night with clear spells - down to minus 18. "Further on (January 11-14), an increase in advection of Arctic air mass is expected, which will lead to significant cooling.
As a result, night minimums will range from minus 11 to minus 24 degrees Celsius, on January 13-14 (Tuesday-Wednesday), in conditions of clear weather, a drop to minus 27-28 degrees Celsius is not excluded, daytime maximums will be within minus 8 to minus 19 degrees Celsius, only in the west throughout the day it will be a couple of degrees warmer. At the same time, if on January 11-12 (Sunday-Monday) snow will fall in many areas under the influence of a low-pressure area, then on January 13-14 (Tuesday-Wednesday), with rising atmospheric pressure, precipitation will be short-lived and localized. With fluctuations in the temperature background, light ice phenomena will be observed in places. The frosts will intensify," the forecasters shared their forecast.