Europe is facing the coldest winter since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine - Bloomberg.

This winter, very cold weather is forecasted in Europe, leading to a rise in energy prices. According to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, temperatures will be lower than in the past two years. This will create a high demand for heating. Mild weather is predicted in northern and central Europe, but the southern part of the continent is expecting colder climatic conditions, especially in Italy and the Balkans.

This worsening of weather conditions will lead to rapid gas consumption, which is becoming a problem for Europe. Gas reserves are very important, and the continent may deplete them by the end of winter and late summer, when they need to be replenished.

«The continent remains vulnerable to weather disasters. Frosts and weak winds have led to faster exploitation of gas storage this month. This raises concerns about supply reserves for the end of winter and the next summer season, when they need to be replenished,» the agency reports.

Ukraine will also feel the worsening weather conditions as it prepares for the winter season with the highest level of readiness. The high Carpathian mountains are already experiencing a real winter with snowdrifts and temperatures below -10 °C. Ukraine's energy system is prepared for this season due to repairs conducted on power plants.