---
title: "UkrHMC Forecasters: November Rains to Turn into Sleet — Drivers Time to Change Tires"
description: "UkrHMC warned: in November, rains in Ukraine will change to sleet. Forecaster Natalia Ptukha advised drivers to change their car tires in advance, although sharp frosts are not expected in the coming days."
date: 2026-10-28T21:07:30.344Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukrhmc-forecasters-drivers-change-tires-november-weather
tags: [weather-ukraine, winter-tires, drivers, november-forecast, ukr-gmc, wet-snow]
author: "Roman V."
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# UkrHMC Forecasters: November Rains to Turn into Sleet — Drivers Time to Change Tires

![Car mechanic rolling a winter tire across a service station floor with a car lifted on a hoist in cold weather](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/28/sinoptiki-sovetyat-voditelyam-pereobut-mashiny-pogoda-menyaetsya/sinoptiki-sovetyat-voditelyam-pereobut-mashiny-pogoda-menyaetsya-1.webp)

## Key Points

- UkrHMC records trends toward a winter weather pattern as early as early November
- Rains will transition into a mixed phase: rain with wet snow or wet snow
- The forecaster recommends drivers to change their car tires in advance
- Sharp frosts and stable snow cover are not predicted in the coming days
- Rains are expected across Ukraine on October 29, mostly dry on October 30–31

The Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center has warned of noticeable changes in weather conditions that will begin to manifest themselves as early as the first half of November. Natalia Ptukha, Head of Media Relations at UkrHMC, noted in an interview with RBC-Ukraine that forecasters are recording "certain trends" in the transition from the autumn regime to the winter one. According to her, November is typically characterized by weather that can take on a pronounced winter character, and right now motorists should think about road safety.

### Gradual Temperature Drop and Change in Precipitation Character

The forecaster specified that the temperature background in November will decrease both at night and during the day. At the same time, the nature of precipitation will undergo a transformation: ordinary rains will begin to turn into the so-called "mixed phase" — rain with wet snow or simply wet snow. Ptukha emphasized that this is precisely the weather typical of November and should not surprise either city residents or drivers.

### Recommendations for Motorists

The main practical advice given in the interview concerns seasonal tire replacement. Ptukha explicitly pointed out that the prerequisites for mixed-phase precipitation are "gradually appearing," and that is why drivers should already think about changing summer tires to winter ones. Wet snow and rain mixed with snow create a slippery film on the pavement, which dramatically increases the braking distance and reduces vehicle handling, especially in dark road sections and tunnels.

### No Sharp Freezes or Classical Snowfalls Expected Yet

At the same time, the UkrHMC representative made an important caveat: forecasters do not predict a sharp drop in temperature, steady frosts, or "classical" snowfalls with the formation of a snow cover during the coming week. The center issues official detailed forecasts for 3 to 5 days, and as specific dates approach, the picture will be refined. This means there is no need to panic, but postponing a visit to the tire fitting service until the first real snow is a risky strategy.

### Short-term Forecast for October 29–31

According to UkrHMC data, the last days of October will be contrasting. On Thursday, October 29, light to moderate rain is expected across most of Ukraine (except for the western and eastern regions); significant precipitation is possible at night in the south. On Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, the weather will be mostly dry without significant precipitation. Thus, the upcoming weekend will give drivers a window to make a scheduled service appointment before the roads are covered with the first icy film.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Синоптики советуют водителям переобуть машины: погода меняется](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/sinoptiki-radyat-vodiyam-perevzuti-avtivki-1793201222.html) - Primary source: flash interview of Natalia Ptukha (UkrHMC) for RBC-Ukraine. All quotes and forecasts are taken from this material.
- [Синоптики советуют переобуть автомобили перед наступлением осени](https://novosti.ua/society/sinoptiki-rekomenduyut-voditelyam-gotovitsya-k-perehodu-na-zimnyuyu-rezinu) - Secondary retelling of the same interview. Facts and quotes completely match the primary source, with no discrepancies.

## FAQ

### When is the first wet snow expected in Ukraine?

According to Natalia Ptukha from UkrHMC, prerequisites for mixed-phase precipitation (rain with wet snow or wet snow) appear as early as early November. Exact dates depend on the 3–5 day forecast, which the center will refine as the date approaches.

### Is it already time to change summer tires to winter ones?

The forecaster directly recommends drivers to think about changing tires, since prerequisites for mixed precipitation are already forming. At the same time, sharp frosts and classical snowfalls are not predicted in the coming days, so the visit to the tire service can be scheduled for the weekend of October 30–31, when little precipitation is expected.

### Will there be steady frosts and snow cover in November?

No. UkrHMC does not forecast a sharp drop in temperature, steady frosts, or "classical" snowfalls with a preserved snow cover in the near future. Precipitation will mainly be in the form of wet snow or rain mixed with snow.