Weather and climate in 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.
In summer, there can be hot days, with temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F).
The average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of -3 °C (26.5 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 18.4 °C (65.1 °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.

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.

Riga - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -3.0 °C (27 °F), with a minimum of -5.5 °C (22 °F) and a maximum of -0.4 °C (31.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -18.5 °C (-1 °F). However, it dropped to -29 °C (-20.2 °F) in January 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it reached 11 °C (51.8 °F) in January 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 46 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are short.
There is an average of 1 hour of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 16% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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February is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -2.5 °C (28 °F), with a minimum of -5.4 °C (22.2 °F) and a maximum of 0.5 °C (32.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -16 °C (3 °F). However, it dropped to -30 °C (-22 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it reached 12 °C (53.6 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 24% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 1 °C (34 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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March is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 0.7 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -3.4 °C (25.9 °F) and a maximum of 4.7 °C (40.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12 °C (10.5 °F). However, it dropped to -21 °C (-5.8 °F) in March 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it reached 18 °C (64.4 °F) in March 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 34 mm (1.3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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April is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6.5 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 1.3 °C (34.3 °F) and a maximum of 11.8 °C (53.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9 °C (15.8 °F) in April 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in April 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3 °C (37.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.6 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 5.9 °C (42.5 °F) and a maximum of 17.3 °C (63.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in May 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in May 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 48 mm (1.9 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (44 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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June is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.6 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 10.3 °C (50.5 °F) and a maximum of 21 °C (69.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in June 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are very long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.4 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 13.2 °C (55.8 °F) and a maximum of 23.6 °C (74.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in July 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in July 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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August is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.5 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 12.1 °C (53.8 °F) and a maximum of 22.8 °C (73.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in August 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in August 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 78 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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September is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.9 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.6 °F) and a maximum of 17.7 °C (63.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F) in September 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in September 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 67 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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October is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.3 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) and a maximum of 10.8 °C (51.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7 °C (19.4 °F) in October 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in October 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 76 mm (3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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November is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 2.7 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of 0.4 °C (32.7 °F) and a maximum of 5 °C (41.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (18 °F). However, it dropped to -17 °C (1.4 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it reached 15 °C (59 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 56 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 5 minutes.
There is an average of 1 hour of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 15% of the time.
The average humidity is 89%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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December is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -0.9 °C (30 °F), with a minimum of -3.1 °C (26.4 °F) and a maximum of 1.2 °C (34.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12.5 °C (9.5 °F). However, it dropped to -28 °C (-18.4 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 7.5 °C (45 °F). However, it reached 12 °C (53.6 °F) in December 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 6 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There is an average of 1 hour of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 12% of the time.
The average humidity is 89%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4.5 °C (40 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.