The Climate of the Khmelnytskyi Region

The area of the region has a moderate-continental climate with warm summer, mild winter and sufficient rainfall. It was formed under the influence of various factors. The main of them is geographical latitude which is associated with the height of the Sun above the horizon and the magnitude of solar radiation. The length of the day varies from 8 to 16 hours. The Khmelnytskyi region is situated inside the continent, and continental air masses bring dry weather, have an influence on its climate. In winter, the air of Siberian anticyclone comes here and bring cold weather, but in summer Azov maximum has influence. In spring and early autumn, Arctic air enters the region, which brings a sharp cooling. At all times of the year, the territory of the region is under the influence of cyclones that form over the Arctic Ocean. In summer they cause significant clouds, precipitation, lower air temperature, in winter - warming, thaws, snowfalls. The relief has an influence on the climate too. Its various forms cause differences in air temperature, precipitation, wind direction and strength.

The intrusion of Khmelnytskyi by continental air masses leads to significant fluctuations in air temperature at all times of the year. In summer the air can heat up to + 39°С (absolute maximum), and in winter it can cool down to -34°С (absolute minimum).

In summer there are often showers, thunderstorm, sometimes hail. The snowcover is formed in the second half of December and lasts mainly until the first decade of March. The seasons will be clearly distinguished throughout the territory. All of them have their own features. The winter is short and mild, with frequent thaws. The spring starts from the second decade of March when the air temperature steadily exceeds 0°C and lasts until the last decade of May. The summer is from the end of May and to the first decade of September. The air temperature rises above +15°C, it is possible to increase to +39°C (Kamianets-Podilskyi). South-east winds predominate, the number of clear days increases. In the first half of summer, there are often short-term showers, a large amount of precipitation.

Autumn continues from September to the end of November. The first half is marked by clear sunny days. The first frosts occur in mid-September. Sufficient humidity and optimal temperature regime create conditions for growing a variety of agricultural crops throughout the region. Sometimes climatic phenomena are observed in the region, which has a negative impact on the development of agricultural crops. These are early autumn and late spring frosts, showers, hail, freezing of crops in some winters (when the snow is absent and the temperature of the air is enough low). The elements of the favourable southern districts of the region (especially on the banks of Dnister and its tributaries) are favorable for the rest of the people.