Winter 2025–2026 in Ukraine will be warmer: when to expect Arctic cold spells.

According to ТСН: In Ukraine, for the winter season of 2025–2026, it is expected that the temperature will be above the average norm, although short-term invasions of Arctic cold are still possible.

Forecasts from Meteorologists

The head of the media communication department of the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center, Natalia Ptukha, shared these forecasts during a broadcast on the KYIV24 channel. She provided results from evaluations by specialists and global forecasting centers.

“If we talk about the upcoming winter, then again, if we voice certain trends, analyses from global centers, our scientists, specialists from the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center, the trend is that a significant increase in temperature will be observed. For example, in December, the average monthly temperature is expected to be 2 degrees warmer than the norm. And, in principle, it is likely that the following winter months will remain within these bounds,” she said.

Risk of Cold Spells

The meteorologist also emphasized that even with a general increase in temperature, sharp cold spells may occur from time to time.

“But this does not rule out the moments when bursts of cold air may happen. Because our country is located in such a way that processes here are cyclical; they can repeat and, accordingly, can also change. If we have processes from the south and from the west, then, of course, there will be a warmer air mass, there may even be some precipitation, but if the processes come from the north or the northeast, that can certainly happen, if there is a certain configuration, so to speak, of barometric formations in the northern hemisphere, then Arctic cold can spill over to us.”

According to Ptukha, such situations have been observed less frequently in recent years, but they have not completely disappeared.

“In terms of recent years, with statistical analyses, such spillovers of Arctic air, as we say, are becoming fewer. They are of shorter duration, but they can certainly occur,” concluded Ptukha.

It should be noted that the calendar winter is already at the doorstep, although meteorological signs of it are not yet observed.

Thus, meteorologists' forecasts for winter indicate abnormally warm weather, which, however, may be interrupted by moments of cold. It is worth remembering that climate changes affect weather conditions, so ordinary Ukrainians may face unexpected weather anomalies. We can only hope that winter will bring the proper weather conditions for traditional winter holidays and activities.