The 9th session of the authorized of the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine upon the implementation of the Agreement on the joint use and protection of transboundary waters was held in city of Novaya Kahovka (Ukraine) on September 24-27, 2018. The cooperation of the Belarusian and Ukrainian parties within the framework of this agreement is aimed to develop coordinated water management and water protection activities, to protect and use of transboundary waters, to prevent and restrict the discharges of harmful substances into the aquatic environment. The meeting was attended by Government Plenipotentiaries, as well as heads of national parts of the working groups. The Belarusian delegation was headed by the authorized Minister of the Republic of Belarus for the implementation of the Agreement, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus – A. Khmel. The head of the Belarusian part of the working group on hydrometeorology –  Y. Lesnichy and the head of the Belarusian part of the working group on the protection and control of water quality – E.Bogodazh. During the meeting, a number of issues related to the implementation of decisions taken at the previous meeting, reports on the activities of the working groups and plans for their work for the next period were considered. As results of the session, a protocol was signed, the composition of bilateral working groups and their work plans for 2019 were approved.

The meeting with the group of experts of the international technical assistance project “Support for Effective Monitoring of Air Emissions and Radiation Monitoring, Improving Environmental Management in Belarus” was held in Belhyromet on September 25, 2018. Representatives of Belarus, Sweden and Slovakia discussed the preparation of a tender dossier on lots of laboratory equipment, air quality monitoring stations and field devices, a calibration laboratory data collection and processing system, traffic sensor sensor systems, final verification of needs, clarified technical specifications, evaluated methodological validity and discussed the status of the air quality monitoring and management system in Belarus, as well as the development of appropriate recommendations for its development at the meeting. The refinement of the technical specification and the final verification of the need for technical re-equipment of the air monitoring network of the Republic of Belarus was the result of the meeting.

 In the coming weekends, uncertain weather with rains is expected in the Republic.  On Saturday under the influence of active atmospheric fronts, rains with various intensity are forecast mainly in the south-west at night, in most of the country in the morning and at daylight hours. Temperature will considerably decrease especially at night hours. Short-term rains are forecast mainly in eastern part of the country at night hours on Sunday. Significant precipitation is not expected in the area of increased atmospheric pressure throughout the rest of the country. At the beginning of next week (17-18 September), influence of atmospheric fronts will have an impact on the northern regions of Belarus where short-term rains are forecast. Temperature will be in general +5 +13°С, in some areas - +2 +4°С, prevailing temperature at daylight hours – +15 +21°С, in the south-west – 1-2 degrees warmer.  As at 14 September, there is an increase of water levels with the intensity 1-25 cm per day on the Zapadnaya Dvina near Polotsk-Verhnedvinsk, on the Viliya near Mikhalishki village, on the Berezina near Svetlogorsk and on some of its affluents as well as on the affluents of the Neman, the Zapadnyi Bug and the Pripyat. Decrease of water levels is observed on the rest of the rivers as well as on the Dnieper, the Sozh and the Pripyat.  Unfavourable conditions for river transport are observed on the shipping areas of the Zapadnaya Dvina, the Neman, the Dnieper, the Berezina and the Sozh. Weather conditions of last week contributed, in general, to potato harvesting, rise of flax straw, fodder, fruits and vegetables conservation. Warm weather and sufficient water availability in most of areas contributed to formation of winter vegetables harvest, second crops and winter rape development. Favourable conditions for growth and drying of maize grain. In the coming days, expected rains will complicate field works. Because of long-term precipitation deficit, mainly in southern part of the Republic, agrometeorological conditions for formation of agricultural crops harvest and winter cereal crops sowing remain difficult – topsoil is poor moistened in many areas, in some places – completely dry. Conditions for sowing and emergence of winter cereal crops seedlings are unfavourable here. In the coming days expected rains of various intensity should ameliorate water availability of agricultural crops. However, because of uneven distribution defecit of moisture content in soil can remain in certain areas.

 In the coming weekends warm weather, in general, without precipitation remains in the Republic. Character of the weather will start changing at the beginning of next week (10-11 September). Atmospheric fronts from Western Europe will be determined by short-term rains in certain areas of the country, there is a possibility of thunderstorms at daylight hours. Temperature will begin to decrease and will be close to its multiyear value. In the middle of the week (Wednesday) uncertain weather with short-term rains is expected, thunderstorms are possible. There is a possibility of fog night and day, Air temperature at night will range from +9 to +16°С, in most of the country – +18 +23°С at daylight hours, in southern part – 1-2°С warmer. As at 7 September, there is a decrease of water levels with the intensity 1-14 cm per day. Unfavourable conditions for river transport are observed on the shipping areas of the Zapadnaya Dvina, on the Neman, on the Dnieper, on the Berezina and on the Sozh. In the coming days a decrease of water levels is expected on the rivers of Belarus, fluctuations of water levels will be expected on the rivers next week. Agrometeorological conditions for soil treatment and autumn sowing are ambiguous. After recent rains in the western part of Vitebsk region and some areas of Grodno region, overmoistening of 10 cm topsoil is observed. In the coming days under the influence of warm weather, mainly without precipitations, topsoil of overmoistened soil will dry thereby increasing the terms of winter cereal crops sowing. Weather will be well favourable for potato, maize for silage and grain harvesting, fodder conservation and rise of flax straw. Expected short-term rains at the beginning of next week could complicate harvest works mainly in northern part of the country.  Deficit of precipitation and soil moisture is observed in the south-eastern part of Belarus, topsoil is poor moistened in many areas, at certain sites – completely dry. Conditions for winter cereal crops sowing, winter rape development are unfavourable here. Moisture deficit could remain because of uneven distribution of expected precipitations. In many areas of south-eastern part of the country.

In the coming weekends, weather conditions in Belarus will be determined by the influence of slow-moving atmospheric front on the west side, influence of the area of high atmospheric pressure and warm air masses still remain on the east side. Changing weather patterns is expected. Short-term rains of varied intensity, in some areas with thunderstorms are forecast in the western and central parts of the country. There will be heavy rains in certain places. Significant temperature contrast is expected between north-west and south-east of the country. At the beginning of next week (Monday, August 27), influence of front separation will be expanded throughout the country. Short-term rains are forecast in most of the country, in some areas with thunderstorms. Precipitations are forecast in general in the eastern part of Belarus, expansion of cooler air masses from north-west Europe are expected following front separation in future, temperature will fall significantly. As at 24 August, according to data of state network of hydrometeorological observations, a decrease of water levels with the intensity 1-14 cm per day prevails on the rivers of Belarus.  Unfavourable conditions for river transport are registered on the Zapadnaya Dvina near Vitebsk, on the Neman near Grodno, on the Dnieper near Mogilev, Zhlobin, Rechitsa and Loev , on the Berezina near Bobruysk and Svetlogorsk, on the Sozh near Krichev and Slavgorod, water levels here are below the marks that limit shipping. In the coming days, fluctuations of water levels with a tendency towards decreasing will be observed on the rivers, water level will fall below dangerous mark for shipping on the Sozh near Gomel. Because of continued deficit of precipitations in most of the country, 10 cm topsoil is still is poor moistened state, it is completely dry in some areas of Brest region, in the west of Vitebsk region and in the east of Mogilev region. Difficult agrometeorological conditions for soil treatment, sowing and cruciferous plants seedling emergence remain on areas with insufficient moistening. Good moistening of soil at depth of 10 cm is registered in many areas of Gomel region, in south-east and north-west parts of Minsk region, in the remaining regions – only in certain areas. Conditions for formation of late agricultural crops harvest are satisfactory. Growth of root crops and late vegetables, grass regrowing in some areas, especially in Brest region, proceed with insufficient soil moisture. In this, conditions for sugar accumulation in root crops are better than last year for this period. In the coming days, expected rains will fulfil moisture content in soil benefiting agrometeorological situation for autumn sowing and formation of late crops harvest. 

In the coming weekends, weather conditions will be determined by influence of warm, moist unstable air masses from the Ukraine. Erratic weather conditions with intermittent thundery rains are expected, however rains will be spread unevenly throughout the country and with varied intensity. Temperature will rest elevated. At the beginning of the week (Monday-Tuesday, 20-21 Fugust) weather patterns will not change significantly. Precipitations with increase of atmospheric pressure will stop by the end of the working week, temperature will be substantially different between south and north parts of the country. At the beginning of third decade of August decrease of water levels will be registered on most of the rivers in Belarus. As at 17 August, according to data of state network of hydrometeorological observations, there is balanced running of water levels and its small decrease with the intensity 1-12 cm per day on the rivers of the Republic. Unfavourable conditions for river transport are observed on the Zapadnaya Dvina near Vitebsk, on the Neman near Grodno, on the Dnieper near Mogilev, Zhlobin and Rechitsa, on the Berezina near Bobruysk, on the Sozh near Krichev and Slavgorod, water levels here are below the marks that limit shipping. Water levels are close to marks that limit shipping on the Berezina near Svetlogorsk, on the Dnieper near Loev and on the Sozh near Gomel.  Predominance of elevated temperature regime coupled with deficit pf precipitations caused loss of moisture especially from topsoil. 10 cm soil layer is in a weakly-moist state in most of the country. Topsoil is dry in some areas of Gomel and Mogilev regions, in the north of Brest region and in the west of Vitebsk region. It makes difficult soil treatment for winter crops and winter rape sowing. Past rains of mid-August refilled moist content in soil mainly in north-western half of the country. Intermittent rains did not influence significantly completion of spiked cereals harvesting, working time of combines could be reduced in Vitebsk region only. Because of reduction of moist content in soil, decline in root crops growth was registered. In this, weather conditions contribute to increase of root crops sugariness. Maize ripening is registered 1,5-2 weeks in advance in southern and western parts of the Republic. It is optimum time for harvest of maize for silage. In the coming days, expected intermittent rains refill moisture content in soil but not everywhere. Moisture deficit remains in some areas and still makes it difficult to sowing and emerging of winter rape, late agricultural crops harvesting.

Workshop on the Implementation of the International Radiation Monitoring Information System (IRMIS) was organized by IAEA during the period from 16 to 19 July, 2018. Maria Kadatskaya, chief of department for ecological information providing, took part in this event. The purpose of the event is to improve awareness and understanding of IRMIS among the points of contact and designated Data Providers for IRMIS, in particular by enhancing their knowledge of the implementation arrangements established for sharing large amounts of routine and emergency radiation monitoring data. In addition, the event will provide an opportunity to present the features and functionalities of IRMIS and share the experiences of Member States that use IRMIS as part of their emergency preparedness and response operations. Main purpose of this workshop is to gain knowledge about technical and administrative mechanisms and instruments provided by IRMIS to benefit from implementation of the data sharing platform for their national system of radiation monitoring. Participants were provided with guide for the IRMIS implementation on corresponding platforms of information technologies of country including joint use of large number of routine and emergency radiation monitoring data. Participants gained an understanding of technical requirements for radiation monitoring system of member states in collection, storage and communication of data to IRMIS using safe transmission processing protocol. Through theirs participation, participants learned about: IRMIS using for exchange of large amount of routine and emergency radiation monitoring data; Requirements for equipment and software which should be provided by IRMIS data providers for collection of radiation monitoring data; Practical applications for IRMIS and technical duties arising from country participation; Routine monitoring data preparation in accordance with format 1.0 of IRIX for reporting to IRMIS as well as General applicability if IRMIS in routine and emergency regimes including all its functions and embedded instruments.

In the coming weekends, weather conditions will be determined by influence of atmospheric fronts and moist air masses from the Baltic. Hot weather is expected, intermittent rains with thunderstorms will be registered locally in the country. At the beginning of the week (Monday-Tuesday, 6-7 August) northern part of Belarus will be influenced by moist air masses from the Baltic where intermittent rains with thunderstorms will be in several places. Precipitations are unlikely in an increased pressure area in southern Belarus. Because of the flow of cooler air from Scandinavia, temperature will decrease especially in northern parts of the country. In the middle of the week, anticyclone from Western Europe will extend its influence to Belarus. It will bring dry and hot weather. In the first decade of August, water level decrease will be observed on the rivers of the country. As at 3, August, according to data of state hydrometeorological observation network, water levels exceed the marks of water discharge on the flood land on the Sozh near Slavgorod of Slavgorod district in Mogilev region and its river Besed near Svetilovichi village of Vetkovskiy district in Gomel region. Unfavourable conditions for river transport are observed on the Zapadnaya Dvina near Vitebsk, on the Neman near Grodno and on the Dnieper near Mogilev. Water level is below marks that limit shipping here. At the end of July – at the beginning of August as quantity of rains decreases and air temperature increases, agrometeorological conditions for after-rippening of grain crops and grain drying have improved. The farmers of the Republic increased harvest speed, Vitebsk and Mogilev regions have started mass harvest. According to recent data, moisture of harvesting grain decreased, amount of grain with conditioned moisture (12-14%) flowing to elevator increased. However, grain moisture is excessive (15-19%) in most of the observed fields, according to meteorological stations data – 21-29%. Favourable conditions for harvesting of maize, root crops, vegetables demanding of heat and cultivated in open ground, for aftergrowing of herbs are forming. Because of hot weather at the beginning of August, conditions for growing of potato tubers deteriorated. According to recent data, average temperature of soil at depth of 10 cm is +23 +28С in most of the country which is much higher than optimal (optimal temperature for growing of potato tubers is +16 +19С) Because of abundant rains in July, overmoisture of soil remains in some areas. Preconditions for appearance of disease excitants are set in the areas with excessive soil moistening, more intensive growth of weeds is observed. Frequent rains in July provoked formation and development of late blight on potato and tomato plantings. In the coming days, expected intermittent rains should not influence harvesting. At the middle of next week, dry weather will let the farmers maintain high speed of harvesting.

A total lunar eclipse will occur on July 27, 2018. The Moon will pass through the center of the Earth's shadow. This will be the first central lunar eclipse since June 15, 2011. Since it will occur near apogee, this eclipse will also be the longest total lunar eclipse in the 21st century. Totality will last approximately 103 minutes. This eclipse will be the second total lunar eclipse in 2018, after the one in January. It will be completely visible over Eastern Africa, and Central Asia, seen rising over South America, Western Africa, and Europe, and setting over Eastern Asia, and Australia. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes within Earth's umbra (shadow). As the eclipse begins, Earth's shadow first darkens the Moon slightly. Then, the shadow begins to "cover" part of the Moon, turning it a dark red-brown color (typically – the color can vary based on atmospheric conditions). The Moon appears to be reddish because of Rayleigh scattering (the same effect that causes sunsets to appear reddish) and the refraction of that light by Earth's atmosphere into its umbra. wikipedia.org .

Seminar «Environmental classification of surface water bodies in pilot areas EUWI+ of Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova» was held in Kiev (Ukraine) on 19 and 20 June, 2018.  The main objective of the seminar was providing support in using methodology of Water Framework Directive (WFD) in the field of environmental classification of surface water bodies. During the seminar experience of Austria and other EU countries concerning the conduct of environmental classification of surface water bodies was examined as well as connections between hydrobiological and hydromorphological classifications and some other aspects of Water Framework Directive. Different phases of environmental classification (typing, identification and stress determination, framework and requirements for field and laboratory works, requirements for calculation of biometrics and biotic indexes), methodological aspects and accesses to each phase of the classification were discussed during this seminar. Questions on completeness of observation data and its accessibility, sampling strategies, requirements and indexes used to assessment of the hydrobiological, chemical and hydromorphological state of water bodies were raised. Innovative approaches in using of laboratory equipment for collection and analysis of hydrological samples were presented at this seminar. Participants had the opportunity to become acquainted with the methodological approaches of environmental classification of water bodies used in Ukraine and Moldova. Particular attention was paid to the role of hydromorphology in the process of WFD and its connection with hydrobiology, methodological aspects of hydromorphological observations. Hands-on exercises were provided on analysis of the hydromorphological status of rivers. Characteristics of realization of the WFD principles and methods in participating countries were also discussed at the seminar.