January reminded us what real winters are like. Forecasters on the weather until January 18
January 12, 2026
The Republican Center for Hydrometeorology, Radioactive Contamination Control and Environmental Monitoring of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection told BELTA about the weather in Belarus from January 13 to 18.
"It seems that this January has decided to remind Belarusians what real Russian winters are like. Thus, after record snowfalls this week, anomalous frosts will rush into Belarus. After the snowy cyclone 'Ulli', which increased snowdrifts to 47 cm and significantly complicated life for motorists and utility services, unstable air mass of Arctic origin will be coming into our country along the periphery of an anticyclone. This means that precipitation will decrease, but at night, with clearings, radiative cooling below minus 30 degrees is unavoidable," the Belhydromet noted. Now, in more detail, about how long and in which region abnormally low air temperatures will last. In the next three days (January 13-15), due to the advection of air mass of Arctic origin, very cold weather will persist in Belarus with a temperature background mainly 5-15 degrees below the average long-term values (the climatic norm for the second decade of January is minus 1.4-4.5 degrees). Nighttime minimums will range from minus 10 to minus 30 degrees; only on January 15 (Thursday) in the southwest, where the influence of air mass of Atlantic origin will begin to be felt, the air temperature will not drop below minus 6 degrees, and daytime maximums will be in the range from minus 1 degree in the southwest to minus 19 degrees in the northeast, forecasters noted. At the same time, on January 13 and 14 (Tuesday and Wednesday), precipitation in the form of snow will be observed from time to time in the unstable air. On January 15 (Thursday), a frontal section moving from the territory of Poland will cause precipitation of various phases (snow, wet snow during the day) and intensity. In the nighttime hours, heavy snow is not excluded in some western areas.
In the following period (January 16-18), frosty weather with temperature contrasts will persist in the republic. The minimum air temperatures at night will range from minus 6 degrees in the west to minus 27 degrees in the east, and the maximum daytime temperatures from minus 2 degrees in the western regions to minus 15 degrees in the northeastern regions. While on the night of January 16 (Friday) precipitation will continue to be observed over most of the territory, further on, with increasing atmospheric pressure, precipitation will become local and short-lived. With fluctuations in the temperature background, light fogs and ice phenomena will be observed in places.
January 13 snow will fall in many districts (moderate at night, light during the day). Light fog is expected in places at night and in the morning. Ice is expected on some sections of the roads. Air temperature at night will be minus 10-16 degrees, with clear spells - down to 17-22 degrees below zero. During the day, the thermometer will show minus 7-13 degrees, in the east - down to minus 15 degrees.
On January 14, light snow will fall in some districts of the country at night, mostly without precipitation during the day, only short-lived snow in the southwest. Light fog, frost in places, ice on the roads. Air temperature at night will range from minus 17 to minus 22 degrees, in some places reaching 23-28 degrees below zero, in the west in some districts it will be 14-16 degrees below zero. During the day, the temperature will range from minus 5 degrees in the southwest to minus 17 degrees in the northeast.
January 15 Snow is expected across most of Belarus, with wet snow during the day and heavy snow in some areas in the west at night. Localized blizzards, icy roads, and light glaze ice in the west during the day are also anticipated. Air temperature at night will range from minus 6 degrees Celsius in the southwest to minus 30 degrees Celsius in the east. During the day, it will be from minus 1 degree Celsius in the southwest to minus 19 degrees Celsius in the northeast.
January 16 Short-term snow and wet snow are expected across most of the territory at night and in some areas of the republic during the day. Light glaze ice is expected in some western areas during the day. Localized light fog and frost are also possible. Icy roads are expected in some areas. Air temperature at night will be minus 14-21 degrees Celsius, with some areas reaching minus 25 degrees Celsius, and minus 6-13 degrees Celsius in western regions. Daytime temperatures will range from minus 2 degrees Celsius in the west to minus 15 degrees Celsius in the northeast.
January 17 Mostly no precipitation, with only light short-term snow in some southeastern areas. Icy roads are expected in some areas. Air temperature at night will be minus 14-21 degrees Celsius, dropping to minus 25 degrees Celsius in clear spells. Daytime temperatures are expected to be minus 9-15 degrees Celsius. In western regions, nighttime temperatures will be minus 9-13 degrees Celsius, and daytime temperatures will be minus 6-8 degrees Celsius.
January 18 Mostly no precipitation is expected. Icy conditions are anticipated on some sections of the roads. Air temperature at night will be minus 18-24 degrees Celsius, dropping to minus 27 degrees Celsius in clear spells, and minus 15-17 degrees Celsius in western regions. Daytime temperatures will range from minus 7-14 degrees Celsius.