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Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
The climate of Makhachkala is
continental semi-arid(according to the Köppen classification, cold semi-arid or steppe climate - BSk), with cold winters and hot summers.
Makhachkala (formerly Petrovskoe and then Port-Petrovsk, also known as Anji), is a city of 600,000 inhabitants, the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Dagestan, at 43 degrees north latitude and on the coast of the
Caspian Sea. The latter is a large salt lake, the largest in the world, whose coast is 20 meters (65 feet) below sea level.
About 20 km (12 mi) further south, still on the coast, is the city of
Kaspijsk.
Just south of the city are the first hills belonging to the
Caucasus chain.
Precipitation is quite scarce, amounting to less than 400 millimeters (15.5 inches) per year. In particular, the summer, which in much of Russia is the rainiest season, here is dry. On the other hand, there is a certain increase in rainfall in autumn.
Winter, from December to February, is cold: the average temperature in January is around 1 °C (34 °F).
Although the winter is cold, we are in one of the small areas of European Russia where the average temperature exceeds freezing even in January. In addition to this coastal stretch, which reaches the border with Azerbaijan, passing through the city of Derbent, there is also the Black Sea coast, which is even milder, especially in the area of Sochi.
There are milder periods, in which it can rain, and colder periods, in which snow and frost can occur.
During
cold waves, the temperature drops to -15 °C (-5 °F) or below. Occasionally it has also dropped below -25 °C (-13 °F). The record is -26.8 °C (-16.2 °F), set in February 2012. In February 1929, the monthly daily average was -9.3 °C (15.3 °F).
On the other hand, southern currents can bring mild periods, with highs of 12/13 °C (54/55 °F) and above. In January 2023, the temperature reached 19.2 °C (66.6 °F).
Summer, from June to August, is hot, muggy and sunny, with possible rain and thunderstorms, generally not abundant and of short duration. The average in July and August is about 25 °C (77 °F).
Sometimes there can be
heat waves, during which the temperature can reach and exceed 35 °C (95 °F). The record is 40.2 °C (104 °F), set in August 2017.
The Caspian Sea is warm enough for swimming from July to September.
Makhachkala - Climate data
In Makhachkala, the
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 1.2 °C (34.1 °F), that of the warmest months (July, August) is of 25 °C (76.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Makhachkala - Average temperatures (1991-2020) |
| Month | Min | Max | Mean |
|---|
| January | -1.8 | 4.1 | 1.2 |
|---|
| February | -1.5 | 4.5 | 1.5 |
|---|
| March | 2.4 | 8.6 | 5.5 |
|---|
| April | 6.8 | 14.3 | 10.6 |
|---|
| May | 12.8 | 20.9 | 16.8 |
|---|
| June | 17.8 | 26.5 | 22.2 |
|---|
| July | 20.6 | 29.3 | 25 |
|---|
| August | 20.6 | 29.3 | 25 |
|---|
| September | 16.6 | 24.3 | 20.5 |
|---|
| October | 10.7 | 17.9 | 14.3 |
|---|
| November | 4.2 | 10.7 | 7.4 |
|---|
| December | 0 | 6.1 | 3 |
|---|
| Year | 9.2 | 16.4 | 12.75 |
|---|
amounts to 380 millimeters (15 inches) per year: it is therefore quite scarce. It ranges from 18.7 mm (0.7 in) in the driest month (April) to 47.6 mm (1.9 in) in the wettest one (September). Here is the average precipitation.
Makhachkala - Average precipitation| Month | Days |
|---|
| January | 36 | 7 |
|---|
| February | 28 | 6 |
|---|
| March | 21 | 5 |
|---|
| April | 19 | 4 |
|---|
| May | 33 | 5 |
|---|
| June | 27 | 5 |
|---|
| July | 21 | 3 |
|---|
| August | 28 | 4 |
|---|
| September | 48 | 5 |
|---|
| October | 37 | 5 |
|---|
| November | 45 | 6 |
|---|
| December | 37 | 7 |
|---|
| Year | 380 | 62 |
|---|
The
sea temperature ranges from 4.5 °C (40 °F) in February to 26 °C (79 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Makhachkala - Sea temperature| Month |
|---|
| January | 66 |
|---|
| February | 4.5 |
|---|
| March | 5 |
|---|
| April | 8.5 |
|---|
| May | 14.5 |
|---|
| June | 20.5 |
|---|
| July | 25 |
|---|
| August | 26 |
|---|
| September | 23 |
|---|
| October | 17.5 |
|---|
| November | 12.5"> |
|---|
| December | 8.5 |
|---|
| Year | 14.3 |
|---|
There are on average around 2180
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Makhachkala - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
| January | 2.5 | 75 |
|---|
| February | 3.5 | 95 |
|---|
| March | 4.5 | 135 |
|---|
| April | 6.5 | 190 |
|---|
| May | 8.5 | 260 |
|---|
| June | 9.5 | 285 |
|---|
| July | 10 | 305 |
|---|
| August | 9 | 285 |
|---|
| September | 7.5 | 225 |
|---|
| October | 5 | 160 |
|---|
| November | 3 | 95 |
|---|
| December | 2.5 | 70 |
|---|
| Year | 6 | 2180 |
|---|
Makhachkala - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of
1.2 °C, with a minimum of
-1.8 °C and a maximum of
4.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-11.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-22.3 °C in January 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
10.5 °C. However, it reached
15.2 °C in January 2000.
Precipitation amounts to
35.7 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
12.2 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
5.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
February is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 1.5 °C, with a minimum of -1.5 °C and a maximum of 4.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10.5 °C. However, it dropped to -26.8 °C in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C. However, it reached 16.4 °C in February 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 27.9 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 13.3 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 4.5 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
March is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.5 °C, with a minimum of 2.4 °C and a maximum of 8.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C. However, it dropped to -12.6 °C in March 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C. However, it reached 26.3 °C in March 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 21.4 mm, distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 13.3 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 4.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.6 °C, with a minimum of 6.8 °C and a maximum of 14.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C. However, it dropped to -5.1 °C in April 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C. However, it reached 29.3 °C in April 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 18.7 mm, distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 12.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 8.3 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.8 °C, with a minimum of 12.8 °C and a maximum of 20.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C. However, it dropped to 0.3 °C in May 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C. However, it reached 32.5 °C in May 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 33.4 mm, distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 11.9 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C, with a minimum of 17.8 °C and a maximum of 26.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C. However, it dropped to 7.8 °C in June 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C. However, it reached 36.8 °C in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 27 mm, distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 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 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 10.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 20.6 °C. Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 25 °C, with a minimum of 20.6 °C and a maximum of 29.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C. However, it dropped to 10.4 °C in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C. However, it reached 39.5 °C in July 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 20.9 mm, distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is of 9.7 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 24.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 25 °C, with a minimum of 20.6 °C and a maximum of 29.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C. However, it dropped to 11 °C in August 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C. However, it reached 38.7 °C in August 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 28.4 mm, distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 10.1 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 25.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.5 °C, with a minimum of 16.6 °C and a maximum of 24.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C. However, it dropped to 5.1 °C in September 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C. However, it reached 33.8 °C in September 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 47.6 mm, distributed over 5 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 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 11.9 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 22.9 °C. Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.3 °C, with a minimum of 10.7 °C and a maximum of 17.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C. However, it dropped to -6.6 °C in October 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C. However, it reached 28.9 °C in October 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 37.3 mm, distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 12.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 17.7 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
November is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.4 °C, with a minimum of 4.2 °C and a maximum of 10.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C. However, it dropped to -14.2 °C in November 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C. However, it reached 21.2 °C in November 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 44.6 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 12.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 12.4 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
December is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3 °C, with a minimum of 0 °C and a maximum of 6.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C. However, it dropped to -18.7 °C in December 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C. However, it reached 19.9 °C in December 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 37.3 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 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 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 12.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 8.4 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.