The active cyclone "Uli" can boldly be compared to the famous cyclone "Xavier," which raged over Belarus on March 15, 2013, writes the Telegram channel "Meteovibe".
Photo: Onliner.by
According to data from the article "Climatic features of past winters in Belarus. Cyclone Xavier" by Maryna Aliaksandrauna Matsveenka, the maximum snow cover increase from March 14–16, 2013, was 20–32 cm, with the leader being MS Palesskaya (1). However, for the period of January 8–10, 2026, it was even greater – 20–34 cm, with the leader being the "Berezino" station. Furthermore, a snow cover increase of 10 cm or more affected a significant territory.
The maximum amount of precipitation in 24 hours 13 years ago, in March, was 37 mm – Mozyr and Lelchitsy (4–5), and on January 10, 2026 – also 37 mm in Mogilev (6–7). However, considering January 9 and the night of January 11, the total amount of precipitation in Mogilev and Zhlobin was 43 and 41 mm respectively (more than the monthly norm).
The intensity of precipitation over 12 hours was higher during Xavier. In Gorki, 26 mm fell, while in Mogilev on January 10, it was 25 mm.
In addition, Xavier was remembered for stronger winds: Volozhin, Volkovysk – up to 24 m/s. The maximum wind gusts during Uli's passage were 19 m/s – Oshmyany.
Undoubtedly, the snowdrifts after Xavier's passage were higher.
The maximum snow depth on March 16, 2013, reached 50–61 cm, with Mstislavl as the leader.
But one should not forget about the more significant snow accumulation before the cyclone's passage: in Minsk, the snow cover height was already 46 cm.
Thus, Cyclone "Uli" surpassed Xavier in the amount of precipitation brought and the increase in snow cover height, but in terms of precipitation intensity and wind speed, Xavier remains in first place.
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