In Ukraine, the spring flood season began earlier than the long-term average this year

This year’s spring flood season in Ukraine began in late February and early March, due to an early thaw and the formation of snowmelt floods. 

This was reported on March 23, 2026, by Viktoria Korniienko, head of the hydrological forecasting department at the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center, in a comment to Ukrinform, noting that a shift in the timing of natural processes is observed in most of the country’s river basins.

The most intense rise in water levels has already been recorded in the Southern Bug and Siverskyi Donets basins, where a combination of natural factors and active water management activities has led to negative consequences. According to meteorologists’ forecasts, the threat of flooding will persist in the near future for the tributaries of the Middle Dnipro, as well as on the Desna. On large rivers, the spring flood season may last until June, while on smaller water bodies it will end in April.

The situation with water resources will continue to depend on the amount of precipitation during the spring. Experts warn that if there is a lack of rain in May, Ukraine may face a water shortage as early as this summer and fall. Current hydrological changes are occurring against the backdrop of stable sunny weather that has prevailed in most regions since March 23, which somewhat slows the rapid melting of snow in the mountains and forests but does not eliminate the risks for coastal areas.

On March 23–24, a powerful red-level magnetic storm will sweep across the Earth.