Severe weather is expected in Ukraine on 8 August: heavy rain is forecast in a number of regions, whilst thunderstorms, hail and squalls with wind speeds of 15–20 m/s are possible in some areas. Forecasters have issued a yellow warning for the whole country. These conditions may be localised and change rapidly.
Briefly about the main points
- All regions of Ukraine will be on yellow alert on 8 August.
- Heavy rain is forecast overnight in the Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia and Zhytomyr regions.
- Heavy rain is expected during the day in the Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
- In some areas, apart from the west and most of the north, hail and squalls are possible.
- During a squall, the State Emergency Service advises people to stay away from trees and unstable structures.
Where and when are heavy rains forecast?
Heavy rain is expected tonight in the Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia and Zhytomyr regions. During the day, the area of heavy rainfall will shift to the Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
Thunderstorm cells can develop rapidly during the warmer months and be localised in nature. For this reason, weather within a single region or even between neighbouring towns and villages, it can vary considerably.
Hail and squalls: how to stay safe during bad weather
In some areas, with the exception of the western and most northern regions, forecasters are predicting hail and squalls of 15–20 m/s. Thunderstorms are also expected. A yellow alert indicates potentially dangerous weather conditions for people, infrastructure and the environment.
In its general advice, the State Emergency Service recommends that, during a thunderstorm, people should not stay near bodies of water, should not take shelter under tall trees, and should avoid metal structures. During heavy rain and strong winds, drivers should reduce their speed, avoid stopping under trees or advertising hoardings, and not attempt to drive through flooded areas. Throughout the day, drivers should check the operational warnings issued by regional meteorological centres.
