The meteorologist refuted forecasts of summer temperatures reaching 40°C
In recent years, Ukraine has seen more drastic weather changes and less pronounced seasonal patterns. At the same time, according to the meteorologist, it is too early to make accurate forecasts for the summer of 2026, and claims of constant heat reaching 40 degrees Celsius are exaggerated.
Natalia Ptukha, a meteorologist at the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center, reported this on Ukrinform’s program “Ye Rozmova.”
She added that even global trends do not guarantee specific weather conditions in Ukraine due to the influence of local processes. At the same time, long-term forecasts have no practical value.
According to Ptukha, Ukraine is seeing a trend toward more abrupt weather changes and less distinct seasons. Spring and fall are becoming shorter, and the transitions between cold and heat are becoming more contrasting. However, this does not mean the complete disappearance of the seasons. “Certain trends toward the blurring of seasons are observed. More contrasting transitions—from winter to summer—are occurring more frequently. But this does not mean that spring or autumn no longer exist,” notes Ptukha.
The meteorologist emphasizes: although climate change does indeed affect the weather, not every phenomenon is an anomaly. “An anomaly is something that has never occurred in the entire history of observations. Snow in April happens once every 15–20 years, so it’s a rare but not unique phenomenon,” explains Ptukha. When spring starts early, there can be frosts in April and even in May—and that’s not an anomaly, she emphasized.
At the same time, climate change is manifesting itself in an increase in extreme weather events: prolonged droughts are being replaced by intense downpours.
Ptukha also noted that forecasts on smartphones often do not take local conditions into account. Instead, she advises using official sources. In particular, the state-run “cePogoda” app from the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center is now available in Ukraine. “It provides an official weather forecast with warnings, and people can really rely on it. The main difference from other apps is that we specifically issue warnings about dangerous and severe weather events,” the meteorologist emphasized.
She also commented on the popular “folk” forecasts made by the famous groundhog. “The groundhog has absolutely nothing to do with weather forecasting. It’s a folk tradition with no scientific basis,” Ptukha concluded.
Rainy weather will replace the sunnyweather in Ukraine, according to the meteorologist.
As a reminder, no significant precipitation is expected across Ukraine during the first weekend of May. Frosts are possible at night, while daytime temperatures will range between 10–15°F, and in some places will rise to +23°.
On Monday, May 4, variable cloudiness without precipitation is forecast for Ukraine, with the exception of the southeastern regions, where rain is possible during the day.
On May 5, temperatures in Ukraine will riseto +27°C.
