Schools closed across Ukraine as power outages worsen extreme cold outbreak in Kyiv
An intense Arctic cold wave gripped Kyiv, Ukraine, in mid-January 2026, driving temperatures to -20°C (-4°F) amid an ongoing energy crisis. Large sections of the capital were left without heating or electricity after continued Russian strikes on the power grid, prompting some residents to temporarily leave unheated apartments and seek shelter in emergency warming centers. Schools across the country have been shut until February 1, due to the extreme conditions.
Frozen structures in Odesa Ukraine on January 19, 2025. Credit: Anton Gerashchenko
Temperatures across Kyiv and much of northern Ukraine plunged below -17°C (1.4°F) in mid-January 2026, with nighttime lows reaching -20°C (-4°F), with persistent Arctic air inflow from the northeast. The event is part of a broader Eurasian cold anomaly extending from central Russia into the Black Sea region.
The impacts of extreme cold were worsened by the energy crisis due to Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
The national power operator Ukrenergo confirmed that generation capacity was critically reduced following repeated strikes on thermal and hydroelectric plants. According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, the capital received only about half of its normal electricity supply on January 16.
Kuleba: 30 Kyiv homes remain without heat post-Jan 9 russian strike.
— EMPR.media (@EuromaidanPR) January 18, 2026
Heat being restored to 143 others (100+ high-rises w/ daytime issues). Teams pushing hard despite the cold. #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/WMYyWNUMiy
Centralized district heating systems in Kyiv depend on electric pumping stations and stable power delivery. When electricity failed across multiple districts, heating lines depressurized, and some were temporarily drained to prevent bursting.
Indoor temperatures in buildings dropped sharply, with some residents reporting below-freezing conditions inside their apartments without power. Schools across the country have been shut until February 1, due to the extreme cold and lack of power.
Municipal emergency services deployed mobile heating tents and reopened public shelters. Authorities advised residents with relatives outside the city to temporarily relocate until grid stability improves. Local media reported widespread pipe ruptures and water supply interruptions as underground utilities froze in several neighborhoods.
People on social media reported sections of residential plumbing and sewage systems frozen solid. In one newly built complex, the sewage lift station reportedly failed after prolonged power outages, leaving residents without sanitation.
Combined water, heating, and electrical breakdowns have created complex repair priorities for municipal crews working under difficult conditions across the capital. Hundreds of warming centers remain operational across the region. Mobile heating trains positioned at major railway stations provide continuous heat and electricity to civilians.
Temperatures across the region are forecast to remain below –10°C (14°F) through the third week of January, with gradual moderation afterward. Energy authorities warn, however, that any renewed large-scale attacks could again disrupt power and heating distribution before repairs are completed.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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