April frosts in Ukraine caused damage and blossom drop in apricots, peaches, sweet cherries, pears, and sour cherries, while having no critical impact on winter crops, according to the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center.
“A large number of intense frosts were unfavorable for the flowering of fruit crops and perennial plantings. Due to the prolonged drop in temperatures, stone fruits showed signs of blackening and flower drop,” meteorologists noted.
According to experts, Arctic air masses dominated in Ukraine throughout April, leading to cold weather. There was no sustained rise in average daily temperatures above 10°C by the end of the month, and the lag behind the long-term average was 1.5–2 weeks.
Agrometeorological conditions for the rooting and growth of winter crops remained quite favorable, as their frost resistance proved to be higher than the recorded temperatures. Frosts caused almost no damage to winter crops and early spring crops, which were in the mass emergence phase by the end of April. Only in isolated areas was slight yellowing of wheat and barley leaves observed due to the cold.
At the same time, frequent frosts caused the deeper soil layers to cool: at depths of 5 cm and 10 cm, the temperature in some places did not exceed 7–10°C. In regions with a precipitation deficit, the upper soil layers were assessed as slightly moist or dry, which complicated the sowing of late-season heat-loving crops.
The Hydrometeorological Center noted that, thanks to the predominantly moderate temperature regime in the spring, drought conditions developed gradually. This made it possible to maintain the content of productive moisture in the soil, especially in its deeper layers, at a sufficient and optimal level until the end of the month.
The risk of crop damage from night frosts following an early warm spell and a 50% increase in production costs due to rising prices for fuel and plant protection products (PPPs) will be the main challenges for Ukrainian berry growers in the 2026 season, according to an analytical report by the “Berry Growing of Ukraine” association.
“The main challenge of the season is temperature instability and the risk of damage to berry crops during critical stages of development,” the association’s experts noted.
Over 60% of Ukraine’s berry farms are switching to diesel generators to ensure stable operation of irrigation systems.
According to monitoring data from the “Berry Farming of Ukraine” association, the overwintering condition of key crops is mostly stable, though blueberries showed the greatest vulnerability to frost. Thus, the proportion of blueberry plants damaged by frost is 16.30%, while raspberries and strawberries fared much better over the winter—with losses at 2.50% and 1.80%, respectively.
Due to the damage to blueberries, the association forecasts a possible decrease in the gross harvest of this berry, accompanied by an increase in its average size.
The business association also noted a significant increase in production costs. According to the resource price growth index, plant protection products saw the largest price increase—by 1.61 times. Fuel prices rose by 1.48 times, and fertilizer prices by 1.34 times compared to the previous period.
According to the “Berry Farming of Ukraine” association, the issue of energy independence remains a priority for the industry. As of 2026, the structure of power sources for enterprises has diversified significantly: diesel generators account for the largest share of electricity supply—61.20%. Only 26.60% of farms remain fully dependent on the public grid, while 12.20% of producers already use their own solar power plants to minimize the risk of outages.
At the same time, most enterprises are equipped with autonomous sources that cover between 50.00% and 100.00% of their electricity needs for irrigation systems and refrigerators.
Dangerous weather conditions are expected in Ukraine over the next two nights, the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center warned on Saturday.
“On the night of May 3 in the central, southern, eastern, and Sumy regions, and on the night of May 4 in the east of the country, ground frosts of 0-3° are expected (Level I hazard, yellow),” the statement said.
The Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center warns that weather conditions are expected to deteriorate in Ukraine over the next three days.
“On the nights of April 30, May 1, and May 2, most regions will see air temperatures of 0–3°C (Level II hazard, orange); in the southern part, ground temperatures will be 0–3°C (Level I hazard, yellow),” the statement reads.
It is noted that the frosts will cause damage to flowering fruit trees.
Short-term rains, sometimes thunderstorms are expected in the southeastern part of Ukraine on Wednesday, May 15, while the rest of the country will be without precipitation, the Ukrainian Weather Center reports.
The wind is mostly northeast, 5-10 m/s. The temperature at night will be 4-9°, in the western and northern regions 1-6° Celsius, on the soil surface frosts of 0-5°; during the day 11-16° Celsius, in Transcarpathia 17-21°.
In Kyiv on Wednesday, May 15, no precipitation. Northeast wind, 5-10 m / s. The temperature at night will be 4-6° Celsius, during the day about 15°.
According to the Borys Sreznevsky Central Geophysical Observatory, since the beginning of meteorological observations on May 15, the highest daytime temperature in Kyiv was 30.2° Celsius in 1925, and the lowest nighttime temperature was 0.1° below zero in 1927.
On Thursday, May 16, there will be no precipitation at night, only in the southeastern part, and light short-term rains are expected throughout Ukraine, except for most western regions.
Northeast wind with a shift to southeast, 5-10 m/s. The temperature at night will be 1-6° Celsius, on the soil surface frosts of 0-5°, in the south and Transcarpathia 3-8° Celsius; during the day 12-17° Celsius. In the highlands of the Carpathians, at night 0-5° below zero, during the day 8-13° above zero.
In Kyiv on Thursday, May 16, no precipitation at night, light short-term rain during the day. Northeast wind with a shift to southeast, 5-10 m/s. The temperature at night will be 4-6° C, during the day 15-17°.
A storm warning has been announced in Kiev and Kiev region in connection with night frosts expected from April 29 to May 2, Ukrhydrometecenter reports.
“At night on April 29-30 frosts in the air 0-5 ° (II level of danger, orange), on May 1-2 frosts on the soil surface 0-3 ° (I level of danger, yellow),” – said in the message.
