BELHYDROMET

Address: 110, Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk, 220114
Phone: +375 17 373-22-31
E-mail: kanc@hmc.by

Ru Be En

Main / About us / Press center / News and events

03.02.2026

Why does the air feel dirtier in winter? We understand the reasons

Winter is a time when we often notice the air becoming denser, harder to breathe, and visibility worsening. These aren't just our perceptions, but a real phenomenon linked to a combination of factors.

During the winter period, an anticyclone – an area of high atmospheric pressure characterized by weak or absent winds – often settles in. When there is no wind, emissions from transport, industrial plants, and heating systems remain "trapped" in the ground layer of the atmosphere.

The heating season also noticeably increases during the cold period, leading to greater emissions of pollutants. However, the main culprit for the deterioration of air quality in winter remains transportation. In cold weather, internal combustion engines operate less efficiently. Warming them up requires more fuel, and the combustion process can be incomplete, leading to increased emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter. Tire wear on slippery roads also produces fine rubber dust. And the reagents used on roads to combat ice can, upon interaction with exhaust gases and moisture, form new, more toxic compounds.

Combating winter air pollution requires a comprehensive approach. At the state level, this includes tightening environmental standards for industrial enterprises and transport, incentivizing the transition to cleaner fuels, and developing renewable energy sources. Implementing modern emission purification systems at boiler houses and factories, as well as developing "green" infrastructure in cities, such as parks and green spaces, can significantly improve air quality.

Information prepared based on materials from the website of the "Grodnooblhydromet" branch.