In the lowest layer of the atmosphere, the troposphere, atmospheric vortices are continuously born, develop, and disappear. Some are so small they escape our notice, while others are so large-scale that they significantly influence the Earth's climate and cannot be ignored (this primarily applies to cyclones and anticyclones). Cyclones are areas of low pressure in the Earth's atmosphere. A frequent companion of a cyclone is strong, gusty wind, arising from the difference in atmospheric pressure between the cyclone's center and its periphery. Cyclones (from the Greek for "coil of a snake") are enormous vortices, up to several thousand kilometers in diameter. They form in temperate and polar latitudes when warm air masses from the equator collide with cold flows from the Arctic (Antarctica), creating an atmospheric front. So, why are cyclones given names? To avoid confusion when warning the population about approaching typhoons and hurricanes in tropical latitudes. Several cyclones can exist simultaneously in one region, so it is necessary to distinguish between them. A name attracts attention and increases vigilance. The first attempts to name hurricanes were made in the 19th century in the Caribbean Sea , naming them after saints on whose feast day the disaster struck. In the early 20th century, Australian meteorologist Clement Wragge named them after mythical heroes, and then after parliamentarians who refused to vote for credits for meteorological research. During World War II , American military meteorologists in the Pacific region named typhoons after their wives and girlfriends. After the war, alphabetical lists of female names were compiled, and in 1979, the WMO expanded the lists to include male names. Names are used on a rotating basis, but if a typhoon is particularly destructive, its name is retired from the list. Europeans adopted this practice, and now one can even become the "godparent" of a cyclone or anticyclone for a fee. The copyright for this belongs to the Department of Meteorology at the Free University of Berlin. For a certain sum, one can become the "godparent" of a particular atmospheric vortex. Over time, the practice of assigning names became a standard procedure in world meteorology. Each region uses its own lists of names, developed by the WMO. In Japan, hurricanes are named after animals, flowers, trees, and foods, to avoid associating destructive typhoons with gentle female names. Tropical storms in the Indian Ocean often remain nameless. Prepared based on materials from the staff of the "Vitebskoblhydromet" branch. When using the information a reference to Belhydromet is obligatory

Today, a meeting was held at the "Brestoblhydromet" branch to summarize the work results for 2025 and set tasks for 2026. The event, led by the Head of Belhydromet , Sergei Khilman , was attended by representatives from various departments and organizations of the Brest region. Among the honored guests were Alexander Polkhovsky, Head of the Department of the Brest Regional Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations; Yuri Roy, Head of the Department of the "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" National Park; representatives of higher educational institutions in the city of Brest; as well as heads of structural and separate subdivisions of the branch. The Head of the branch, Andrei Kulchik, delivered a detailed report on the results of the past year, covering all areas of the branch's activities. Special attention was paid to problematic issues and tasks facing the team in 2026. During the meeting, issues related to conducting meteorological, aerological, actinometric, and hydrological observations; atmospheric air monitoring; cooperation with the Ministry of Emergency Situations during the spring flood period; modernization of the hydrometeorological network; technical support for subdivisions; and the prospective construction of a weather station in the Belovezhskaya Pushcha territory were discussed. In conclusion, Sergei Khilman emphasized the importance of timely dissemination of hydrometeorological information through the media, the necessity of meeting planned targets, and thanked the branch's team for the work done. The best employees of the "Brestoblhydromet" branch were awarded for their contribution to the development of the hydrometeorological service.

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. When using the information a reference to Belhydromet is obligatory

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 .

On February 2 , daily minimum air temperature records were broken at several weather stations at once. At the Vysokoye meteorological station (hereinafter - MS), the thermometer dropped to -24.2℃ , which is lower than the previous record from 2012 (-23.8℃). At MS Stolbtsy, -26.9℃ was recorded (the previous record, also from 2012, was -25.1℃). At MS Gantsevichi , the temperature reached -28.9℃ (compared to -27.4℃ in 2012). In Oshmyany , -27.8℃ was recorded (the previous record was -27.7℃ in 2012). The lowest temperature on February 2 was registered at MS Polesye – -31.1℃ , which is significantly lower than the previous record from 2012 (-27.8℃). It should be noted that the absolute minimum air temperature for February 2 was recorded in 1970 at the Grodno Automated Meteorological and Geophysical Station (AMGS) (-33.4℃) . In addition, on February 1, a daily record was broken at the Mstislavl weather station, where the temperature dropped to -23.8℃ (the previous record from 2012 was -22.8℃). It is important to note that the Mstislavl station has been conducting observations since 2008. When using the information a reference to Belhydromet is obligatory

Dear residents and guests of the capital! The Republican Center for Hydrometeorology, Control of Radioactive Contamination and Environmental Monitoring (Belhydromet) invites you to an Open Doors Day to be held on January 23, 2026. On this significant day, you will have a unique opportunity to look behind the scenes of one of the most important environmental organizations in the country. You will learn how weather observations are conducted, how forecasts are made, and how the state of the environment in Belarus is monitored. The Open Doors Day at Belhydromet is a great opportunity to get reliable first–hand information, broaden your horizons and learn more about the importance of the hydrometeorological service for our country. We invite everyone! For inquiries, please call: 80297004571 from 8.30 to 17.00

On January 21, students specialising in "Engineering Ecology" from the National Children's Technopark visited Belhydromet. The excursion became a fascinating journey into the world of meteorology and radiation safety. The first stop was the radiation monitoring service, where Alla Shaybak, head of the Operational Data Department for Radiation Monitoring and Emergency Situations, immersed the children in the intricacies of radiation monitoring in Belarus. The pupils learned about modern methods and technologies used to control the radiation situation. Then the young environmentalists went to the meteorological forecasting service. Matvey Chatyrka, a leading weather engineer , shared the secrets of making weather forecasts, explaining the work of synoptic meteorologists and the use of modern models and data. The final stage was a meeting with meteorological engineers Anna Nedobega and Alexander Savitsky . The specialists provided a detailed account of the wide range of activities undertaken by Belhydromet, the significance of meteorologists' work for various economic sectors and society, as well as the collection, processing, and storage of climate data. The excursion to Belgidromet became an educational event for young environmentalists, which demonstrated the close relationship between the theoretical knowledge acquired within the walls of the National Children's Technopark and their practical application in real professional activities. This served as tangible confirmation of the importance of their chosen field of study and its promising role in addressing current environmental challenges.

As part of the regular monitoring of atmospheric air conducted by Belhydromet, on January 21 in Minsk , an analysis of air samples showed that the level of nitrogen oxide remains slightly elevated. Excess of established hygiene standards was recorded in 5 points of the city: 110a Nezavisimosti Ave., 23 Timiryazeva St., 50 Radialnaya St., Uruchye microdistrict and Korzhenevski St. The maximum concentration of nitrogen oxide at 12:00 was 2.4 MPC. Also, according to the data for January 20, there was a slight excess (1.2 times) of the average daily maximum permissible concentration for solid particles, fractions up to 2.5 μm (fine dust). These indicators are related to current meteorological conditions, including windless weather and surface inversion, which make it difficult for pollutants to naturally disperse into the atmosphere. Warnings about adverse meteorological conditions are still in effect for large industrial and motor transport enterprises in Minsk in order to implement measures to reduce the anthropogenic impact on the environment. Belhydromet continues to continuously monitor the situation and promptly informs interested parties. When using the information a reference to Belhydromet is obligatory

According to Belhydromet, as of January 20, 2026 , the radiation situation in the area of influence of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant remains stable. No excess over the long-term steady-state values was recorded. Gamma radiation dose rate levels in the Chernobyl NPP impact zone: Bragin - 0.34 mSv/h, Vasilevichi - 0.11 mSv/h, Zhitkovichi - 0.10 mSv/h, Mozyr - 0.10 mSv/h. There are 41 dosimetric stations operating on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, where daily measurements of the dose rate of gamma radiation are carried out.  In the southern territories of the Republic of Belarus (Gomel and Brest regions), measurements are carried out every 3 hours. Furthermore, an Automated Radiation Monitoring System (ARMS) operates within the Republic of Belarus in the zones influenced by nuclear power plants. It comprises 33 automated measuring stations. Data on gamma radiation dose rates from these stations are transmitted automatically every 10 minutes to the department of operational data for radiation monitoring and emergency situations of the Belhydromet Radiation monitoring service, whose personnel work around the clock. When using the information a reference to Belhydromet is obligatory

In connection with the information disseminated on the Internet, Belhydromet publishes an official commentary on the situation with the quality of atmospheric air in Minsk. About the reliability of data from third-party sources: First of all, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that the information published in the Telegram channel's post isn't based on data obtained from the air monitoring observation points of the National Environmental Monitoring System in the Republic of Belarus. Belhydromet doesn't have information on the compliance of measuring instruments used to assess air quality and displayed on the specified map with the requirements of national legislation on ensuring the uniformity of measurements, as well as on the degree of reliability of the data obtained. Official data of Belhydromet: According to the results of observations at automatic stations for continuous measurement of the content of priority pollutants in the atmospheric air located in Minsk, on January 19, no cases of exceeding the standards of maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) for pollutants in the atmospheric air were recorded. The situation on the morning of January 20, 2026: As of 10.00 a.m. on January 20, in the morning in 4 districts of the city: 110a Nezavisimosti Ave., 23 Timiryazeva St., 50 Radialnaya St. and Uruchye microdistrict, an increase in the level of nitrogen oxide air pollution was noted, the maximum of which reached 2.5 MPC from single concentrations. Causes of increased concentration of pollutants: The increase in air pollution is related to the prevailing meteorological conditions. A surface inversion is observed in Minsk, a phenomenon in which retaining layers are formed that prevent the removal of pollutants into the upper atmosphere and contribute to their accumulation in the surface air layer. Warning to enterprises: Warnings about unfavourable meteorological conditions have been issued to major industrial and automotive transport enterprises in Minsk to reduce anthropogenic impact on the environment. Where to obtain current information?: Real-time observation results on the state of atmospheric air can be viewed on Belhydromet's websites: www.rad.org.b y and www.risamos.by Belgidromet urges citizens to trust only official sources of information and keep an eye on updates on our information resources! When using the information a reference to Belhydromet is obligatory