Finance
Temperatures as low as minus 30C in Ukraine next week may damage crops
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 29, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 29, 2026
Quick Summary
Ukraine braces for a cold snap with temperatures dropping to -30C, threatening winter crops, especially in central and eastern regions.
Ukraine Braces for Dangerous Cold Snap with Temperatures Plummeting to -30C
Impact of Extreme Cold on Agriculture
KYIV, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Extremely low temperatures down to minus 30 degrees Celsius (minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit) will hit Ukraine at the beginning of next week, which is very dangerous for winter crops, agricultural analysts and the national emergency service said on Thursday.
Current Temperature Forecast
A sharp drop in temperature will begin on February 1 and will affect all regions except southern Ukraine and the frosts will begin to ease slightly only on February 4, the service said on the Telegram messenger.
Risks to Winter Crops
"We consider the current cold spell to be extremely dangerous for winter crops across a significant part of Ukraine," analyst Barva Invest said on Telegram.
Regional Variations in Frost Severity
Ukraine is a producer of winter wheat, which accounts for about 95% of the total Ukrainian wheat harvest. Winter wheat, which has a higher yield than spring wheat, is sown in autumn and harvested in the summer of the following year.
Barva Invest noted that a combination of severe frosts and insufficient snow cover could affect crops in central, north-eastern and eastern Ukraine.
Frosts will be less severe in southern Ukraine, but there is no snow cover there to protect the crops.
Temperatures dropped to minus 20 C in Ukraine in early January, only easing to above-zero temperatures this week.
(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk;Editing by Alison Williams)
Key Takeaways
- •Ukraine will experience temperatures as low as -30C next week.
- •The cold snap poses a threat to winter crops, especially wheat.
- •Central, north-eastern, and eastern Ukraine are most at risk.
- •Southern Ukraine will have less severe frosts but lacks snow cover.
- •Temperatures will start to rise slightly after February 4.
Frequently Asked Questions about Temperatures as low as minus 30C in Ukraine next week may damage crops
1What is winter wheat?
Winter wheat is a type of wheat that is sown in the autumn and harvested in the summer. It typically has a higher yield compared to spring wheat.
2What are frost risks?
Frost risks refer to the potential damage to crops caused by low temperatures that lead to frost formation, which can harm plant growth and yield.
3What is snow cover?
Snow cover is a layer of snow that blankets the ground. It can protect winter crops from extreme cold temperatures.
4What is crop yield?
Crop yield is the amount of crop produced per unit of land area. It is an important measure of agricultural productivity.
5What is climate change?
Climate change refers to significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over time, which can impact agriculture and food security.
