in the Republic of Moldova

In Moldova, January is the coldest month of the year. The monthly average air temperature varies between -2.5ºC in the southern part and -4.5ºC in the northern part of the territory. The coldest month of January for the entire period of instrumental measurements on the biggest part of the territory was in 1963 – the monthly average air temperature ranged between -10.5°C (Cahul) and -15.3°C (Soroca). The warmest month of January was recorded in 2007 - the monthly average air temperature was between +2.5ºC (Briceni) and +4.2ºC (Bravicea).

The   average   values   of   daily   air   temperature  during  the  month  oscillates  between -20…-29ºC (1963) and +8…+11°C (1948). The absolute minimum air temperature for the whole period of observations was -35.5°C (Bratuseni, Edinet, 01.20.1963) and absolute maximum reached +16.0°C (Dubasari Bravicea, 21.01.2007).

The number of days with minimum air temperature ≤ -10 ° C on the average is 5-11 days, the maximum recorded being 27 days (Briceni, Camenca, 1987). The number of days with minimum air temperature ≤ -15°C on the average is 1-5 days, and the maximum has reached 23 days (Soroca, Camenca, 1963). The number of days with minimum temperature ≤ -20°C does not exceed the average of 1-2 days, but in some years may reach up to 17 days (Camenca, 1963).

The amount of rainfall in January in the country constitutes 22-41 mm and the number of days with precipitation - from 10 to 15.  The greatest amount of precipitation in January, for the entire period of instrumental observation on the territory, has reached 216 mm (Carpineni, 1966), while the daily amount - 55 mm (Cahul, 1966).

Precipitations fall mainly in mixed phase (about 35% of the time) and as snow (about 40% of the time). The decadal average thickness of snow in the territory varies from 2 to 10 cm. The maximum thickness of snow on the meteorological platforms on certain days has reached 63 cm (01.06.1966, Cahul). The steady snow cover is formed in the northern and northeastern districts of the country, on average, in the first decade of January (which is maintained for at least 30 days).

In January, the following phenomena are possible: fog (average 3-10 days), frost and ice deposits (average 4-9 days), ice-slick (average 7-19 days) and blizzards.

Of most frequently observed weather events are heavy snowfalls, that are possible on average once every three years.  Rarely, there are recorded powerful storms, intense deposits of frost and ice (on average once in 8-10 years) and strong winds (on average once in six years). A fall in air temperature down to -25ºС and below average may signal once 7-15 years in the northern half of the country and once in 30-50 years - in the southern part.

In January, the autumn crops are basicly in the dormant state. In the years with mild winters, there are thaws that are dangerous for the hibernating crops. These are frequent phenomena in the country. The most dangerous are thaws with the average daily temperature of +5°C and higher. During these, it takes places the reversal of autumn crops vegetation and that of the orchards, and in the case of a sudden drop in temperature it is possible their further injury.  In January, the number of days with thaw is on average 12 to 18 days.

In the winter period the worst conditions for wintering of autumn crops air are created at the minimum temperature of -25°C and lower, in the presence of snow cover whose thickness does not exceed 5 cm.  In such conditions the minimum temperature at the depth of the twinning node (3 cm) falls below -15°C. Such temperatures can cause injury, and even destruction, of the twinning node, and therefore, of the whole plant. Such combination of air temperature and snow cover on most of the country territory is observed, on average, once in 20 years, and are reported most frequently in January.

According to the multiannual observations, the autumn crops wintering, with plant loss up to 10-30%, occurs on most of the territory on average once every 5-15 years, but plant loss up to 50% - on average time in 20 years.

The crowns of fruit trees and their flower buds can withstand frosts of up to -25 ... -30°C.  In the conditions of the Republic of Moldova the damage of fruit crops can be observed more frequently after long winter thaws, which significantly reduces tree resistance to frost.

In the period of relative rest, the vine generally bears temperatures up to -12°C, and some species up to -15…-20°C. The average vine mesh destruction does not exceed 10-20%.