Deep soil freezing will not affect the spring flood in the Vitebsk region

February 25, Vitebsk /Alena Tikhonova - BELTA/. Deep soil freezing will not affect the spring flood in the Vitebsk region, BELTA was informed by Vitebskoblhydromet.

This winter, due to insignificant snow cover in the Vitebsk region, the soil froze to a depth of 50-60 cm, and in the western districts – up to 85 cm. Last year, these values in different districts ranged from 25 to 56 cm. "The deep soil freezing will not have a significant impact on the spring flood in the region," stressed the regional hydrometeorological centre. "This would have mattered with a thick snow cover: the frozen ground would not have been able to absorb moisture, and meltwater would have significantly replenished the riverbeds. Currently, there is no snow in most of the region; snow cover up to 6 cm remains only in isolated areas."

Characterising the overall situation on the rivers, the regional hydrometeorological centre noted that the alternation of thaws and frosts during the winter led to the formation of thick ice (over 60 cm) and a drop in water levels. The situation changed with the arrival of warm weather. Since the second decade of February, an increase in water levels has been observed on the rivers. Currently, water is rising by 1-6 cm per day on various rivers. On the Western Dvina, the ice thickness is 22-40 cm, and in the lower reaches (near Verkhnedvinsk), ice holes have already appeared, and they are also present on the Disna. Ice is covered with water everywhere.

Predicting the development of the situation, specialists do not rule out the possibility of ice jams in certain sections of the rivers, which will lead to a sharp rise in water levels in specific areas.

Forecasters also noted that weather uncharacteristic for this time of year has set in the region. Two waves of warmth have arrived from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. "The temperature background is 9 degrees above normal for this period (normal is minus 6-7 degrees). Such weather occurs once every 20-30 years. Warm air masses continue to enter the region. The weather is becoming drier and more comfortable. Clouds will dissipate, there will be no significant precipitation, and the daily temperature range will increase (night temperatures are expected to be minus 1-6 degrees, daytime – 1-5 degrees Celsius)," the regional hydrometeorological centre notes.

However, specialists emphasize that it is too early to say that winter has run its course. March is traditionally still a winter month. According to preliminary forecasts, the weather will not change until March 5, but it is difficult to predict how the first month of spring will behave afterwards. For example, in 2013, March was colder than February. March traditionally sees the seasonal maximum snow cover depth. Last year it was 42 cm, and in 2004, the highest snow level was recorded at the beginning of March – 69 cm. At the same time, the number of years with no snow at the beginning of spring is growing. -0-

News of Belarus (BELTA)