Climate - Ruse (Bulgaria)

The climate of Ruse is continental, with cold winters and hot summers.
The city is located in the extreme north of Bulgaria. Beyond the Danube, in Romania, is the twin city of Giurgiu. We are in the Danube plain, an area exposed to cold waves in winter as well as heat waves in summer.
Winter is cold and gray, with snowfalls and frosts, although there are also some quite mild periods. Sometimes fog can form.
During cold spells, which occur every year or so, the temperature drops to -15 °C (5 °F) or below. The coldest record is -21 °C (-6 °F), recorded in December 1997 and in January 2010.
Summer is hot and sunny, although thunderstorms can sometimes break out in the afternoon.
The city is particularly exposed to heat waves. In the hottest periods, the temperature can reach 38/40 °C (100/104 °F). The record heat is 43.5 °C (110.5 °F), recorded in July 2007 and in August 2012. In July 2012, the average maximum was 36.3 °C (97.3 °F).

Best Time

The best times to visit Ruse are spring and autumn, namely from mid-May to mid-June, a period when some afternoon thunderstorms must be put into account, and from mid-September to mid-October, a period a bit cooler but also drier. In summer, the heat is sometimes bearable, while at other times, especially in July and August, it can be intense.

Ruse - Climate data

In Ruse, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 0.4 °C (32.6 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 25.0 °C (77.1 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Ruse, precipitation amounts to 625 millimeters (24.6 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 30 mm (1.2 in) in the driest months (January, February) to 75 mm (3 in) in the wettest one (July). Here is the average precipitation.
In Ruse, there are on average around 2350 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Ruse - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2013

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Ruse is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.4 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -3.1 °C (26.5 °F) and a maximum of 3.8 °C (38.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12 °C (10.5 °F). However, it dropped to -21 °C (-5.8 °F) in January 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it reached 21.5 °C (70.7 °F) in January 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In February, the weather in Ruse is usually cold. The average temperature is of 2.6 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of -1.8 °C (28.7 °F) and a maximum of 7 °C (44.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10.5 °C (13 °F). However, it dropped to -20.6 °C (-5.1 °F) in February 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) in February 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).

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In March, the weather in Ruse is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8.1 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 2.7 °C (36.9 °F) and a maximum of 13.5 °C (56.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (25 °F). However, it dropped to -9.7 °C (14.5 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, it reached 29.5 °C (85.1 °F) in March 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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In April, the weather in Ruse is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.6 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 7.7 °C (45.9 °F) and a maximum of 19.4 °C (67 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.6 °C (25.5 °F) in April 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 33.9 °C (93 °F) in April 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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In May, the weather in Ruse is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.0 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 12.7 °C (54.9 °F) and a maximum of 25.2 °C (77.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) in May 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in May 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In June, the weather in Ruse is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.0 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 16.7 °C (62 °F) and a maximum of 29.3 °C (84.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8.4 °C (47.1 °F) in June 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98.5 °F). However, it reached 42 °C (107.6 °F) in June 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In July, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Ruse is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 25.0 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 18.6 °C (65.4 °F) and a maximum of 31.5 °C (88.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8.8 °C (47.8 °F) in July 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101 °F). However, it reached 43.7 °C (110.7 °F) in July 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In August, the weather in Ruse is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 25 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 18.4 °C (65.2 °F) and a maximum of 31.6 °C (88.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) in August 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38 °C (100.5 °F). However, it reached 44 °C (111.2 °F) in August 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In September, the weather in Ruse is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.8 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 13.6 °C (56.5 °F) and a maximum of 26 °C (78.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.9 °C (39 °F) in September 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 38.8 °C (101.8 °F) in September 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In October, the weather in Ruse is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.7 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) and a maximum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5.4 °C (22.3 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in October 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In November, the weather in Ruse is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.1 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 3 °C (37.3 °F) and a maximum of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (26 °F). However, it dropped to -13.8 °C (7.2 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 27.2 °C (81 °F) in November 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In December, the weather in Ruse is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.3 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -2.1 °C (28.2 °F) and a maximum of 4.6 °C (40.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10.5 °C (13 °F). However, it dropped to -21 °C (-5.8 °F) in December 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it reached 22.8 °C (73 °F) in December 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 27% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).