What is the climate like in Russia?
In Russia, you can experience 30-degree heat waves even above the Arctic Circle, never go outside without an umbrella in places like St. Petersburg and experience severe frosts in Yakutia and beyond.
Russia encompasses four climatic zones – Arctic, Subarctic, Temperate and Subtropical. This makes Russia's climate incredibly diverse.
1. Arctic and Subarctic zones: The edge of the cold
Snowfall in Norilsk.
The northernmost regions of Russia are located in the Arctic and Subarctic climate zones. Winters are extremely harsh there, while summers are short and cool. Polar days and nights are also observed at high latitudes.
Climatic winter comes in October and, sometimes, as early as September. In the northernmost cities like Norilsk, Vorkuta and Pevek, snow sometimes doesn’t have enough time to melt even in the summer. Thus, in Norilsk, the average temperature is about +14°C (+57°F) in July and August, and about -26°C (-15°F) in winter (i.e. most of the year).
Nevertheless, in summer, there is a 30-degree heat wave that usually lasts for a few days and then fall comes abruptly.
2. Temperate belt: from rain to snow
Moscow Kremlin
Most of Russia is located in the temperate climate zone, which is divided into several types: temperate continental (the European part of Russia up to the Urals), continental (up to Krasnoyarsk, as well as Kalmykia and Astrakhan Region), sharply continental (most of Yakutia), maritime climate (Kamchatka) and temperate monsoon climate (Primorsky Krai, Sakhalin).
In the central part of the country, including Moscow, winters are cold. In January, on average about -6°C (+21°F), but often as low as -20°C (-4°C), but not as extreme as in the north, while summers are warm and humid, reaching up to +20°C (68°F) in July-August.
Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg have milder climates, due to the influence of the Baltic Sea. On average, the temperature is about the same as in Moscow, but without sharp changes, and winters are milder. It also rains frequently there.
In Novosibirsk, the average temperature in January is -17°C (+1°F) and in July +19°C (+66°F).
In Vladivostok, the average temperature in July-August is +17°C (+63°F) and, in January, -12°C (+10°F). In summer, there are usually plenty of heavy rains, as this is a peculiarity of the monsoon climate.
3. Subtropics: warmth & sunshine
This is how Sochi looks in the middle of January.
Subtropical climate prevails in only one region of Russia – the Black Sea coast. This includes the resort cities of Sochi, Anapa, Gelendzhik and others. Snow in these lands falls infrequently and immediately becomes an event. The climate here is mild and comfortable. Thus, in Sochi, the average temperature in July-August is +24°C, and in January +6°C.
4. Temperature records
A bull sculpture representing winter in the village of Oymyakon in the east of Yakutia at −39°C.
The lowest temperatures have been recorded in Yakutia, in the village of Oymyakon and the town of Verkhoyansk (about -67°C; -89°F). These places are often dubbed “poles of cold”.
And the highest temperatures are in the settlements of Kalmykia, usually reaching +45°C (+113°F).
In addition, regions that are located in the zone of continental and sharply continental climate differ in general in their temperature ranges. Summer in Yakutia is often above +30°C (+86°F), while Kalmykia has very cold and windy winters.
