Climate - Riga (Latvia)

The climate of Riga is Baltic, that is, moderately continental, with cold winters, during which the average temperature is a few degrees below freezing, and mild to pleasantly warm summers.
The city is the capital of Latvia and is located in the center of the country, on the coast of the gulf of the same name and at the mouth of the Daugava River.
Given the latitude (56°57'N), the white nights, in which the sun sets it but does not get completely dark even at midnight, occur from May 26 to July 17.
In winter, snowfalls are quite frequent, although they are generally not abundant. Cold spells from Russia, which were once more frequent, can be intense. The cold record is -34.9 °C (-30.8 °F), set in February 1956.
The average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of -2.7 °C (27 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 18.9 °C (66 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 675 millimeters (26.5 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 35 mm (1.4 in) in the driest months (February, March, April) to 80 mm (3.2 in) in the wettest (July). Here is the average precipitation.




On average, there are around 1,820 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea temperature ranges from 1 °C (34 °F) in February to 18.5 °C (65 °F) in August. So, it never becomes warm for swimming (except for northern European tourists). In winter, the Gulf of Riga can freeze, especially near the coast. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Weather by month

Based on the period 1991 - 2011.
(January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December)

In January, the average temperature is -1.9 °C (28.6 °F), with a minimum of -4 °C (24.8 °F) and a maximum of 0.2 °C (32.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature typically drops to -16 °C (3 °F). However, it dropped to -28 °C (-18 °F) in January 2006.
On the mildest days of the month, the temperature typically reaches 6 °C (42 °F). However, it reached 10 °C (50 °F) in January 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 45 millimeters (1.8 inches), spread over 11 days.
On average, there are 32 hours of sunshine per month, ie 1 hour per day.
The average sea temperature is of 2.5 °C (37 °F).

In February, the coldest month of the year, the average temperature is -2.7 °C (27.2 °F), with a minimum of -5.3 °C (22.5 °F) and a maximum of 0 °C (31.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature typically drops to -16 °C (3 °F). However, it dropped to -30.5 °C (-23 °F) in February 1994.
On the mildest days of the month, the temperature typically reaches 6 °C (43 °F). However, it reached 10 °C (50 °F) in February 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 35 millimeters (1.4 inches), spread over 9 days.
On average, there are 61 hours of sunshine per month, ie 2.2 hours per day.
The average sea temperature is of 1 °C (34 °F).

In March, the average temperature is 0.9 °C (33.6 °F), with a minimum of -2.5 °C (27.6 °F) and a maximum of 4.2 °C (39.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature typically drops to -10 °C (14 °F). However, it dropped to -21 °C (-6 °F) in March 1996.
On the mildest days of the month, the temperature typically reaches 12.5 °C (54 °F). However, it reached 18 °C (64 °F) in March 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 35 millimeters (1.4 inches), spread over 9 days.
On average, there are 135 hours of sunshine per month, ie 4.4 hours per day.
The average sea temperature is of 1.5 °C (34 °F).

In April, the average temperature is 7.1 °C (44.7 °F), with a minimum of 2.5 °C (36.6 °F) and a maximum of 11.6 °C (52.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature typically drops to -3.5 °C (26 °F). However, it dropped to -7 °C (20 °F) in April 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature typically reaches 22 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82 °F) in April 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 35 millimeters (1.4 inches), spread over 7 days.
On average, there are 186 hours of sunshine per month, ie 6.2 hours per day.
The average sea temperature is of 3 °C (37 °F).

In May, the average temperature is 12 °C (53.6 °F), with a minimum of 7 °C (44.6 °F) and a maximum of 17 °C (62.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature typically drops to 0.5 °C (32 °F). However, it dropped to -2.5 °C (27 °F) in May 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature typically reaches 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 30.5 °C (87 °F) in May 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 50 millimeters (2 inches), spread over 8 days.
On average, there are 279 hours of sunshine per month, ie 9 hours per day.
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (44 °F).

In June, the average temperature is 15.8 °C (60.5 °F), with a minimum of 11.2 °C (52.1 °F) and a maximum of 20.5 °C (68.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature typically drops to 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (36 °F) in June 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature typically reaches 28.5 °C (83 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (90 °F) in June 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 70 millimeters (2.8 inches), spread over 10 days.
On average, there are 274 hours of sunshine per month, ie 9.1 hours per day.
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54 °F).

In July, the warmest month of the year, the average temperature is 18.9 °C (65.9 °F), with a minimum of 14.1 °C (57.5 °F) and a maximum of 23.6 °C (74.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature typically drops to 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in July 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature typically reaches 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93 °F) in July 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 80 millimeters (3.1 inches), spread over 10 days.
On average, there are 292 hours of sunshine per month, ie 9.4 hours per day.
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63 °F).

In August, the average temperature is 17.8 °C (64.1 °F), with a minimum of 13.2 °C (55.8 °F) and a maximum of 22.5 °C (72.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature typically drops to 7.5 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in August 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature typically reaches 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 33.5 °C (92 °F) in August 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 75 millimeters (3 inches), spread over 10 days.
On average, there are 245 hours of sunshine per month, ie 7.9 hours per day.
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F).

In September, the average temperature is 12.9 °C (55.1 °F), with a minimum of 8.8 °C (47.9 °F) and a maximum of 16.9 °C (62.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature typically drops to 2.5 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (25 °F) in September 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature typically reaches 23.5 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 29.5 °C (85 °F) in September 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 75 millimeters (3 inches), spread over 11 days.
On average, there are 157 hours of sunshine per month, ie 5.2 hours per day.
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F).

In October, the average temperature is 7.3 °C (45.2 °F), with a minimum of 4.5 °C (40.2 °F) and a maximum of 10.1 °C (50.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature typically drops to -3 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -6.5 °C (20 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature typically reaches 16.5 °C (61 °F). However, it reached 22.5 °C (73 °F) in October 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 75 millimeters (3 inches), spread over 12 days.
On average, there are 90 hours of sunshine per month, ie 2.9 hours per day.
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (52 °F).

In November, the average temperature is 1.9 °C (35.4 °F), with a minimum of -0.1 °C (31.9 °F) and a maximum of 3.8 °C (38.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature typically drops to -7 °C (19 °F). However, it dropped to -16.5 °C (2 °F) in November 1993.
On the mildest days of the month, the temperature typically reaches 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it reached 14 °C (57 °F) in November 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 60 millimeters (2.4 inches), spread over 12 days.
On average, there are 38 hours of sunshine per month, ie 1.3 hours per day.
The average sea temperature is of 7.5 °C (46 °F).

In December, the average temperature is -1.2 °C (29.8 °F), with a minimum of -3.2 °C (26.2 °F) and a maximum of 0.8 °C (33.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature typically drops to -13 °C (9 °F). However, it dropped to -28 °C (-18 °F) in December 1996.
On the mildest days of the month, the temperature typically reaches 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it reached 11 °C (52 °F) in December 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 50 millimeters (2 inches), spread over 12 days.
On average, there are 31 hours of sunshine per month, ie 1 hour per day.
The average sea temperature is of 4.5 °C (40 °F).

Best Time

The best time to visit Riga is the summer, from June to August, being the mildest season. However, some rainy days and a bit of cold at night must be taken into account.