It’s September here in Ukraine, and you know what that means. Winter is right around the corner. One of the most common stereotypes about Ukraine, other than having beautiful girls, is that winter is never-ending and bitter cold. Unfortunately, this isn’t far from the truth at all.
Today, we’re going to discuss the Ukraine winter, and how to survive it.
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It’s Cold…Like, Really Cold
There’s no getting around the fact that Ukraine has one of the harshest, coldest climates in Europe come wintertime.
Snow covers Kyiv approximately 80 days of the year, down from 100 due to our friend global warming.
During wintertime, temperatures average at 0 °C or 32 °F. Unfortunately, this is only the beginning. In fact, temperatures will often touch down to -30 °C or -22 °F as winter really begins to settle in.
But, let’s keep in mind that the severity of the winter is largely going to be determined by where you live in Ukraine. The country is absolutely massive, nearly the same size as the state of Texas.
For example, the weather in Odessa will be much more temperate than anywhere else, as it is on the very southern tip of the country. Eastern Ukraine, such as the city of Kharkiv, is going to have the coldest winters as it is over 1200 miles further away from the Atlantic Ocean.
In a city like Lviv, you’ll find February to the coldest month, you’ll be dealing with the aforementioned -30 °C or -22 °F. Throughout winter in Kyiv, you’ll find that temperatures are between -5 °C and -10 °C during the day, and -15 °C at night.
Even though there are regional differences, it’s still extremely cold compared to much of the rest of the world.
The Russian Winter Conquers All
There is a phrase known as the “Russian Winter” that history buffs are all too well aware of. This essentially refers to a series of failed military invasions of Russia from the 1700s until World War II.
The cold weather had the ability to stop the armies of Hitler and Napoleon, cause equipment to malfunction, and destroy troop morale before any fighting could actually take place.
Unfortunately, Ukraine literally translates to “the borderland” or “the frontier region” in a variety of languages. In all fairness, it resides at the Southern border of Russia. While the Russian winter may have been able to halt invading armies from ever reaching major cities in Russia, Ukraine still had the misfortunate of being invaded and conquered countless time throughout history.
Sadly for them, the Russian winter never quite worked out in their favor.
But, you get the point. The two regions are directly next to one another, and you can bet that the same winter that stopped Hitler dead in his tracks is waiting for you in Kyiv as soon as fall ends.
But, honestly…it’s not really that bad.
Honestly, It’s Not That Bad
Now, I know that I just said that the winter in Ukraine literally had the ability to defeat armies and change history.
But, hear me out when I say it’s also not that bad.
There are plenty of things to complain about in Ukraine, and winter is definitely one of them. There’s a dark, looming grey that seems to hang over the country from November until February. The short skirts go away, and the parkas come out. It becomes a very different country as soon as old man winter rolls around.
People often write in asking when the best time is to visit Ukraine. Obviously, the country is much more lively in the springtime and autumn, but a little cold weather should certainly not deter you from visiting.
How To Survive Ukraine Winter
Preparedness here is key. With these two tips, winter will be far more pleasant.
Boots and Jacket
I know it may sound basic, but one of the best investments you can make going to Ukraine is a solid pair of boots and a jacket. Due to markup on common retail items, picking these up prior to your arrival is well worth it.
It’s amazing how many people complain about how much they hate winter, meanwhile, they’re wearing a $40 jacket from Primark and tennis shoes in 18 centimeters of snow.
I’ve been wearing this jacket from The North Face for the last three years in Ukraine, and it has been one of my best investments to date.
If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can even invest in an ORORO jacket that has a small heating pad inside of it. Believe it or not, this thing is pretty sleek looking in real life, and it’s not obvious that there’s small heater built-in.
Even if you’re not the type of person who wears boots, 18 centimeters of snow on the ground come December will have you thinking differently! I really quite like the classic leather Doc Martens to get through the Ukrainian winter. You can even wear them in springtime as a fashion statement.
Some Ukrainians, on the other hand, simply pack up and head to a warmer country like Georgia until the season changes.
Grocery Delivery
One thing that is admittedly unpleasant about living through the Ukrainian winter is having to go grocery shopping in the snow.
Most people in Ukraine don’t own cars, as the cities are very walkable and public transportation really quite good. Even still, in a country where you shouldn’t drink the tap water, trudging through the snow to buy groceries isn’t something I look forward to.
Fortunately for you, Ukraine’s largest grocery store lets you order groceries straight to your home. I discussed how to do this in the above-linked post on Ukrainian tap water, and I will tell you that it is a true luxury.
It’s as easy as making an order online through the website, translating the page with Google Chrome, and waiting for your order to show up.
Pro-tip: Google Chrome has the best built-in translator for looking at foreign websites.
You can pay in either cash or card. It’s ridiculously convenient.
But, there’s no convenience that can replace the warmth of a nice Ukrainian girl to help you get through the colder months.
The Ladies Make It Better
As someone who has personally been through five Ukrainian winters, I no longer fear the coming of the snow. In fact, I look forward to watching the city transform each year.
It’s a strange thing really, but there’s nothing quite like sipping a warm cappucino as you watch the snowfall outside while you work on your laptop. Better yet, there are few things I enjoy more than coming home to a hot pot of borscht cooked by a lovely Ukrainian girl during wintertime.
Trust me when I say that things like these that make even the coldest winters totally bearable.
If you’re afraid of winter, I’d have to say that having a Ukrainian lady makes it entirely worth it but also can make it quite a pleasant experience.
Conclusion: Give Ukraine Winter A Shot
If you are well prepared for it, winter in Ukraine is nothing you can’t handle, and it should certainly not deter you from visiting.
Better yet, having a nice Ukrainian girl to spend the winter months with can make winter quite a lovely experience.
PS: If you’re interested in meeting Ukrainian girls, I suggest you check out this website.
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