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03.02.2026

Information on the hydrometeorological situation in the river basins of the Republic of Belarus, as of January 2026

The average air temperature in January 2026 was -10.3 °C, which is 6.2 °C below the climatic norm. All three decades of the month were cold. The coldest was the second decade, with an average temperature 12.0 °C below the norm. The temperatures of the first and third decades were below the norm by 2.0 °C and 4.7 °C, respectively.

During the month, an average of 49 mm of precipitation fell in the republic, which was 120% of the climatic norm. Precipitation was distributed unevenly across the country's territory, with most areas receiving 90-150% of the monthly norm. Precipitation was uneven throughout the month. The first decade saw excessive moisture (253% of the norm). The second decade experienced a precipitation deficit (16% of the norm). In the third decade, an average of 89% of the norm fell across the country. Precipitation fell as snow and sleet. Snow cover persisted throughout the entire month.

According to snow survey data along a field route on January 31, snow depth in Belarus ranged from 9 cm to 51 cm, with a water reserve of up to 130 mm. In the territory of the Russian Federation (in the upper reaches of the Western Dvina, Dnieper, and Sozh rivers), snow depth ranged from 29 cm to 57 cm, with a water reserve of up to 150 mm.

In January, frosty weather contributed to intensified ice formation processes. By the end of the second decade, ice cover (complete ice cover or with polynyas) had become established almost everywhere on the country's water bodies. Subsequently, ice thickness increased. On the last day of January, the thickness of the ice cover was up to 31 cm on rivers, up to 52 cm on reservoirs, which is close to normal and slightly lower her.

Fluctuations in river water levels were observed, more pronounced in the first decade (up to 40 cm per day) due to ice jams. The water content (discharge) of most rivers was close to the usual for this season, with only the Neman and Pripyat rivers having somewhat below-normal water content.

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