30 January, Minsk /Maria Dmitrieva - BELTA/. Frosts in Belarus will begin to subside from February 1, Lyudmila Parashchuk, chief meteorologist of the Republican Hydrometeorological Centre, told a BELTA correspondent.
Frosty weather has persisted in Belarus since the second half of January. According to the chief meteorologist, a situation where such cold weather lasts this long at this time of year occurs once a decade.
The intensification of frosts this week is due to the influence of a very cold Arctic anticyclone moving from the Arctic Ocean onto the central regions of European Russia. Belarus is located on the western periphery of the anticyclone. And in the morning hours, when thermometers show minus 18-27 degrees, it feels 10-15 degrees colder outside. This temperature regime is 8-13 degrees below the climatic norm for Belarus.
In the next 24 hours, January 31, the weather in the country will be determined by a cold anticyclone with its centre over the Tambov region. Air temperature at night will be minus 15-21 degrees, in the east it will be minus 22-24 degrees, in some places it is forecast to be minus 25-27 degrees. In the afternoon, it will be from minus 9 degrees in the southwest to minus 17 degrees in the east of the country. In the morning and afternoon, strong gusty winds are forecast for most of the territory. Some sections of roads will be slippery.
According to the chief meteorologist, in early February, the cold anticyclone will continue to shape the weather in Belarus. "But, gradually shifting eastward, it will begin to take the severe frosts with it," added Lyudmila Parashchuk. "However, due to the gusty wind, the weather will remain uncomfortable."
On Saturday, February 1, no significant precipitation is expected. Strong gusty winds will persist over most of the country. However, the frosts will begin to subside slightly. Air temperature at night will be minus 10-16 degrees, in the east - minus 17-22 degrees. During the day, it will be minus 7-13 degrees, in the far west - minus 4-6 degrees. Ice is expected on some sections of roads.
On Sunday, February 2, at night and in the morning, temperatures are expected to be minus 8-14 degrees, during the day - minus 4 to 10 degrees. In the eastern regions of the country, minus 15-19 degrees is forecast at night, and minus 11-13 degrees during the day. The wind will be south-easterly and gusty. It will be mostly without precipitation.