Does it snow in Ukraine?

Despite its vast territorial extension and being considered the second-largest country in Europe, Ukraine is an unknown country for most tourists from Europe.

However, those who have had the experience of visiting Ukraine don't regret doing. Chiefly because of how nature and monumental cities merge to make their tour a more intimate and personal experience.

Incredible as it may seem, in the vast territory of Ukraine (600 000km2) live by forty-one and a half million inhabitants. A small number compared to the population density of other European countries such as Germany, Spain or the United Kingdom.

In Ukraine, nature is the great protagonist. So, if you are looking for a more intimate and personal experience with nature on your trip through Europe, Ukraine is the ideal country for you. There beautiful landscapes (steppes, rivers, mountains, lakes and forests) overflowing with wildlife, as well as ancient and incredible medieval fortresses, await you.

Snow in Ukraine? ❄

Does it snow in Ukraine...? The answer is yes, it snows in Ukraine, and a lot.

The snow season usually extends from the end of October to the beginning of April throughout the country (except for Odesa, where snowfall begins in November). Being, by far, Chernihiv, Zakarpatska, Sumy, Poltava, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Vinnytsia, Luhansk, and Cherkasy the Ukrainian oblasts with the highest presence of snowfall.

Climate of Ukraine ⛅

Ukraine is one of those countries with a relatively stable and equitable climate in almost all its territory. Most of the provinces that compose it have a temperate continental climate; perhaps Odessa is one of the few exceptions since its climate is more Mediterranean.

During the winter, average monthly temperatures vary between 17.6 °F / -8 °C and 35.6 °F / 2 °C. Also, this season is usually more temperate in Ukrainian regions near the Black Sea and much colder towards the interior.

On the other hand, temperatures usually behave similarly to winter during the summer, increasing in the regions near the Black Sea and decreasing drastically in the provinces furthest from the coast. Normally, these range between 62.6 °F / 17 °C and 77 °F / 25 °C, with July being the hottest month of the year.

As far as rainfall is concerned, it's usually unevenly distributed throughout the Ukrainian territory. Generally, rainfall is highest in the west and north of Ukraine and lower in its east and southeast.

Such is this difference that the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine can reach more than 59.05 inches of annual precipitation, while the lowlands of the Black Sea do not even exceed 11.81 inches per year.

When does it snow in Ukraine? 🌨

Does it snow in Ukraine in October?

Yes, it might snow in October. Generally, these first snowfalls fall in the form of weak blizzards, almost always followed by rain. Therefore, the level of average snow accumulation in October does not exceed half an inch.

Does it snow in Ukraine in November?

Yes, it might snow in November. From this month, snowfall begins to intensify in most Ukrainian provinces. Perhaps, the only exception would be Odessa, whose average snow accumulation still does not exceed an inch.

Does it snow in Ukraine in December?

Yes, it might snow in December. During this month, the average snow accumulation is duplicated compared to November in most provinces, reaching even the 2.7 inches in Odessa.

Does it snow in Ukraine in January?

Yes, it might snow in January, which is not surprising, as this is the coldest month and with the highest presence of snowfall in Ukraine.

Does it snow in Ukraine in February?

Yes, it could snow in February. Throughout this month, some provinces such as Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Kharkiv experience a decrease in average snow accumulation of between 6.67 and 23.08%. However, some provinces, such as Zakarpatska, increase their average snow accumulation by 1.89%.

Does it snow in Ukraine in March?

Yes, it could snow in March. Throughout this month, average snow accumulation decreases between 32.50 and 61.11% in all Ukrainian provinces. For this reason, it's considered by many to be the last month of the snow season in Ukraine.

Does it snow in Ukraine in April?

Yes, it could snow in April. Although, hopefully, during the first day of the month and only in the coldest and highest place in Ukraine.

Where does it snow in Ukraine? 🌨

Ukraine is one of those few countries whose snow season can be enjoyed even in its most temperate regions. In other words, during Ukraine's winter season, it snows in every oblast of the country.

How much does it snow in Ukraine? ☃

Next, we expose a comparison chart of the average snow accumulation throughout a sliding 31-day period (centered on the day in question) in the twenty-four oblasts or provinces of Ukraine (Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Chernivtsi, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Luhansk, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sumy, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Volyn, Zakarpatska, Zaporizhzhia, and Zhytomyr):

The numbers shown in the table above represent inches.

Skiing in Ukraine ⛷️

Based on their levels of average snow accumulation during the winter season, it is not surprising that Ukraine is one of the countries with the highest presence of skiers and snowboarders. Naturally, the ski resorts abound in the places coldest and highest in the country.

Best Ski Resorts in Ukraine

If you consider yourself a ski and snowboarding enthusiast, and you are thinking of traveling to Ukraine during the snow season, then the following list will be helpful to you:

1. Bukovel (Ivano-Frankivsk).
2. Vysokyy Verh – Zahar Berkut (Lviv).
3. Trostyan Mountain (Lviv).
4. Krasiya (Zakarpattia).
5. Plai (Lviv).
6. Dragobrat (Zakarpattia).
7. Pylypets (Zakarpattia).
8. Izky – Magura (Zakarpattia).
9. Podobovets (Zakarpattia).
10. Makovytsia – Mizhgirya (Zakarpattia).