A white new year? Czechia braces for snowfall at the turn of 2026

Heavy snowfall, strong winds, and freezing temperatures are expected to usher in full winter conditions across Czechia around the New Year, with meteorologists warning of snowdrifts, particularly in mountainous regions.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) forecasts that daytime temperatures in the coming days will stay only slightly above zero and drop to far below freezing temperatures at night, while snowfall will be most intense around the north-west of the country.

The Czech capital is forecast to see hours of snow showers on New Year’s Eve, with temperatures dropping to as low as -4 degrees Celsius in the morning.

Weather conditions are forecast to remain largely unchanged during the first week of 2026, with below-average temperatures, regular snow showers, and the possibility of all-day frosts even in lower-lying areas. Milder weather will not arrive until around Jan. 10.

"Another very interesting snow situation will come on New Year's Eve," ČHMÚ meteorologists pointed out. “It will be quite windy, especially in the mountains, where snowdrifts will form…there will also be numerous snow ridges on Dec. 31,” the ČHMÚ noted, advising the public to be cautious.

Meteorologists said that on Wednesday up to 10 centimeters of new snow could fall in lower elevations, with up to 20 centimeters in some mountain locations. Winds in the mountains may reach up to 70 kilometers per hour.

Clearer skies are forecast Thursday morning before cloud cover increases again from the northwest, bringing further snowfall during the day. Nighttime temperatures in parts of the country could drop to -10 degrees Celsius, and in areas with reduced cloud cover and weaker winds, as low as -13 degrees. 

Josef Hanzlík, a ČHMÚ meteorologist, told CNN Prima NEWS that at the turn of the year, precipitation will spread from the northwest and fall exclusively as snow or snow showers.

The Meteo Early Warning project reported that the main wave of snowfall is expected to begin Tuesday, with accumulations of 3 to 18 centimeters in lower elevations and up to about 40 centimeters in northern mountain regions through Friday. 

The weather-based Ventusky project also expects persistent snowfall from midweek, with more than 10 centimeters accumulating in some non-mountainous areas by the end of next week.