The climate of Khmelnytsky region

 

               The climate of Khmelnytsky region

  The territory of the region has a temperate continental climate with warm summer, mild winter and sufficient rainfall. It was formed under the influence of various factors. The main one is the 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 16.5 hours.  Khmelnytsky region is located in the interior of the mainland, therefore its climate is influenced by continental air masses which bring dry weather. In winter the air of the Siberian anticyclone reaches here which brings cold weather and in summer it is influenced by the Azores maximum.  In the spring and early autumn the Arctic air penetrates into the territory of the region which brings a sharp cooling.  At all seasons of the year the territory of the region is influenced by cyclones that form over the Atlantic Ocean. These cyclones cause significant cloudiness, precipitation, and a decrease in air temperature in summer, and warming, thaws, and snowfalls in winter.  The topography also influences the climate.  Its various forms cause differences in air temperatures, precipitation, direction and strength of wind.

  The invasion of Khmelnytsky region by continental air masses leads to significant fluctuations in air temperature at all seasons.  In summer the air can be heated up to + 39 ° C (absolute maximum), and in winter it can cool down to -34 ° C (absolute minimum).

  There are frequent showers, thunderstorms, sometimes hails in summer. The snow cover forms in the second half of December and lasts mainly by the first ten days of March.  The seasons are completely distinguished throughout the territory. Each of them has its own characteristics. Winter is mild with frequent thaws. Spring begins in the second decade of March when the air temperature steadily rises above 0 ° C and continues until the last decade of May. Summer lasts from late May to early September. Air temperatures rise above 15°С, possibly up to +39°С(c. Kamianets-Podilskyi).Southeast winds prevail and the number of clear days is increasing. There are often short-term showers and a large amount of precipitation in the first half of summer.    

  Autumn lasts from late September to late November. Its first half is marked by fine sunny days. The first frosts come in mid September. Sufficien damping and optimal temperature conditions create conditions for growing various crops throughout the region. Sometimes climatic phenomena of the region are negatively affect the development of agricultural crops.  These are early autumn and late spring frosts, rainstorms, hails and freezing of crops in some winters (when there is no snow cover and air temperatures are quite low). The climatic conditions of the southern districts of the region (especially on the banks of the Dniester and its tributaries) are favorable for the people relaxation.