Climate - Siberia

Index

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• Introduction
• The Pole of Cold - Ojmjakon, Yakutsk
• North coast and islands
• The southern cities - Yekaterinburg, Omsk, Blagoveshchensk
• Eastern coasts and islands - Anadyr, Magadan, Petropavlovsk, Vladivostok
• Best Time
• What to pack

Introduction

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In the endless territory of Asian Russia, the climate is characterized by frigid winters: in fact, the coldest inhabited places in the world are found here. Moreover, if we exclude the northernmost part, where the climate is Arctic or sub-Arctic, and partly the east coast which has a cold maritime climate, summer is mild to warm in most of the territory because of the strong continentality, and it can sometimes even get hot.
The average temperature in January is almost everywhere below -10 °C (14 °F), and it goes down to -45 °C (-49 °F) in the Eastern inland areas. The daily average in July is around freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) on the northern islands and along the Arctic coast, while it goes up to 20 °C (68 °F) in the southernmost areas.
During winter, in most of the territory, the powerful Siberian Anticyclone dominates, except in the eastern seas, where the clashes between continental and maritime air masses give rise to intense low pressure areas, which can bring heavy snowfalls. In the vast plains, in the West Siberian Plain but also in the valleys of the Central Siberian Plateau and of Yakutia, cold air stagnates to the soil, and the sky is often gray, with frequent light snowfalls, while cold outbreaks from the Arctic may lead to raging gusts of blizzard.
During the long winter months, precipitation is scarce almost everywhere because of the cold: snowfalls are frequent but light, and the snow can be carried away by the wind. Owing to the greater availability of heat and energy, summer is almost everywhere the rainiest season, in fact, afternoon thunderstorms may occur in inland areas. On the other hand, the south-eastern areas receive even more rainfall in summer because they are affected by the Asian monsoon. In most of Siberia, yearly precipitation is between 150 and 500 millimeters (6 and 20 inches). In the far east, the Kamchatka peninsula is the wettest region of mainland Siberia: in some areas, precipitation exceeds 1,000 mm (40 in) per year, and a lot of snow can fall in winter.
Southwest of Kamchatka, the Kuril Islands are even wetter, since precipitation reaches 1,500 mm (60 in) per year. Here, winters are snowy and stormy; in fact, there's a strong clash between frigid air masses coming from continental Siberia and mild air masses coming from the subtropical latitudes of the Pacific. Summers in the Kurils are very cool because the sea is still cold after the long winter months, and are quite rainy as well.

The Pole of Cold

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The Siberian winter gets colder from west to east, since the western part and especially the European part of Russia are more often affected by currents of Atlantic origin. The coldest area is therefore the Republic of Yakutia (or Sakha), located in the eastern part. The coldest city is Ojmjakon, located in the upper Indigirka Valley, on the 63rd parallel and at 740 meters (2,400 feet) above sea level, where the average temperature in January is an astonishing -46 °C (-51 °F), while in July it reaches 13 °C (55.5 °F); the lowest record is as low as -70 °C (-94 °F). Another very cold city is Verkhoyansk, located more to the north but at sea level, in the Yana River Valley, where the coldest record is -70 °C (-94 °F) as well, or according to other sources, -68 °C (-90 °F); here, the average ranges from -46 °C (-51 °F) in January to 17 °C (63 °F) in July. The highest recorded temperature in Verkhoyansk is 37 °C (99 °F), so the difference between the two records exceeds 100 degrees Celsius! In the past decades, when the climate was colder, in this area of eastern Siberia, the average temperature in January was below -50 °C (-58 °F). This area is the "Pole of Cold" of the Northern Hemisphere, in fact, it's colder than the North Pole, and it's surpassed only by the central area of Antarctica. At these temperatures, a human being is likely to freeze in a few minutes, if not properly covered, while buildings tend to become brittle because of the cold.

Ojmjakon

Here are the average temperatures of Ojmjakon.

Precipitation in Ojmjakon is scarce during the long winter months because of the cold; it's no wonder that the rainiest season is summer, when, however, the rains are not abundant. Here is average precipitation.

The sun in Ojmjakon is rarely seen from November to January, also because of the short duration of the day, while in spring, it shines for a fair amount of hours, both because of the length of the day and of the low number of rainy days. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Yakutsk

In Yakutsk, the capital of Yakutia, the average temperature ranges from -41 °C (-42 °F) in January to 18.5 °C (65.5 °F) in July, while in the second part of the last century, the average in January was -45 °C (-49 °F). Here, the lowest record is -64 °C (-83 °F), while the highest is 38 °C (100 °F). In an average year, 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain or snow fall, with a maximum of 40 mm (1.6 in) in July and a minimum of just 8/10 mm (0.3/0.4 in) per month from December to March, of course not in the form of rain but of light snow. The amount of sunshine from May to September is slightly higher than in Ojmjakon. Here are the average temperatures.

North coast and islands

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Along the northern coast overlooking the Arctic Ocean, the average in January and February is around -20 °C (-4 °F) in the west, it goes below -30 °C (-22 °F) in the central and eastern part, and it rises again to around -25 °C (-13 °F) in the far east, and to -20 °C (-4 °F) in the Bering Strait, which separates Siberia from Alaska. In the arctic regions, the lowest records hover around -45/-47 °C (-49/-53 °F), which means that they are not lower than those of the southern part of Siberian mainland.
Here are the average temperatures of Tiksi, on the northern coast of the Sakha Republic (therefore, in the coldest part of the coast, the central-eastern one). The summer temperatures, low but above freezing, make it an example of the subarctic climate.

At these latitudes, the sun from November to January does not even rise; the sunniest season is spring (in April, there are 9 sunshine hours out of 22 daylight hours per day), while in summer, the sun becomes less frequent, as cloudy and rainy days increase.

The sea is frozen solid from November to May; remember that being salted, sea water freezes at about -2 °C (28.5 °F).

During summer, temperatures remain around freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) on the northernmost islands (where the climate is arctic), they are around 3/4 °C (37/39 °F) along the northern coast, and go up to 10 °C (50 °F) a few hundred kilometers to the south (this value is regarded as the limit of the subarctic climate). The highest recorded temperatures are around 15/20 °C (59/68 °F) on the Arctic islands, and around 25/27 °C (77/81 °F) along the northern coast of the continent. Precipitation is scarce in winter, when it occurs in the form of light snow, and it's more abundant in summer, when it can still occur in the form of snow on the northernmost coasts and islands.
Here are the average temperatures of Zhokhov Island, located at a latitude of 76 degrees north, and belonging to the group of the New Siberian Islands. Here, the climate is arctic.

The southern cities

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In the southern plains, where we find the major cities, which are located along the Trans-Siberian Railway, the climate is strongly continental, but more forgiving than the northern areas, not so much for the lowest records, which are very low here as well, but for the warmer and longer summer.

Yekaterinburg

For example, in Yekaterinburg, the former Sverdlovsk, near the Ural Mountains, the average temperature ranges from -14.5 °C (6 °F) in January to 19 °C (66 °F) in July. In winter, the temperature can drop below -40 °C (-40 °F), while in summer it can exceed 35 °C (95 °F).

In a typical year, 500 mm (20 in) of rain or snow fall, with a maximum of 70 mm (2.8 in) in July and a minimum of around 10 mm (0.4 in) from December to March. Snowfall occurs from October to April. Here is the average precipitation.

The sun in Yekaterinburg is not so rare in spring and early summer.

Omsk

Further to the east, in Omsk, the climate is even more continental: the average temperature ranges from -17.5 °C (0.5 °F) in January to 20 °C (68 °F) in July.

Being that Omsk is located in the arid zone of Central Asia, precipitation decreases to 390 mm (15.3 in) per year, even though it maintains the same pattern, with a winter minimum and a summer maximum. Here is the average precipitation.

In Omsk, the amount of sunshine is even higher in spring and summer, and there are as many as 11 hours of sunshine per day in June.

Further to the east, in Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk, the climate is similar to that of Omsk, but we enter the area affected by the Asian monsoon, which receives a little more rain in summer, in fact, precipitation slightly increases, and exceeds again 400 mm (16 in) per year.
Further to the east, in Irkutsk, near Lake Baikal, 500 meters (1,600 feet) above sea level, the average ranges from -20 °C (-4 °F) in January to 18 °C (64 °F) in July. Precipitation amounts to 410 mm (16 in) per year; the cold record of the last thirty years is -50 °C (-58 °F).
In eastern Siberia, north of China, the effect of the summer monsoon is more noticeable, so much so that rainfall exceeds 100 mm (4 in) in the month of July.

Blagoveshchensk

In Blagoveshchensk, on the Amur River and near the border with China, the average temperature ranges from -22.5 °C (-8.5 °F) in January to 21.5 °C (70.5 °F) in July. The records of the last thirty years are: -45 °C (-49 °F) the lowest, and 39 °C (102 °F) the highest.

Here, precipitation amounts to 575 mm (22.6 in) per year, with a pronounced minimum from December to February of less than 10 mm (0.4 in) per month, and a maximum in July and August of 130/135 mm (5.1/5.3 in) per month. Here is the average precipitation.

In this eastern part of Siberia on the border with China, winter is quite sunny, while in summer and until September, the sky becomes cloudy with some frequency because of the summer monsoon.

Eastern coasts and islands

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In the long eastern coastline, the presence of the sea makes the climate more temperate, in fact, winter is less frigid, while summer is cold (or at least cool) and wet. In winter, cold currents carry drifting ice towards the island of Hokkaido in Japan. During summer, fog is frequent in the central and northern areas. Because the sea warms up more slowly than in the mainland, if we exclude the northernmost area, August is, albeit slightly, the warmest month.
South of the Bering Strait, the coast bordering the Bering Sea has a subarctic climate, with long, cold winters and very cool summers; the average in July and August is around 10 °C (50 °F).

Anadyr

In the northeast, in Anadyr, in the gulf of the same name, at a latitude of 64 degrees north, the average temperature ranges from -22.5 °C (-8.5 °F) in February to 11 °C (52 °F) in July; precipitation amounts to 270 mm (10.5 in) per year, with the usual summer maximum. The city is located in a sheltered bay, but along the coast of the Bering Sea, annual precipitation generally exceeds 500 mm (20 in). Here are the average temperatures.

In this northern part of the Bering Sea, the sea remains frozen solid from January to March, while it is partially frozen (also depending on the year) in December, April and May.

Magadan

Further south, in Magadan, in the Sea of Okhotsk, the average temperature is between -17 °C (1 °F) in January and 12 °C (53.5 °F) in August. Winter is cold and dry because the wind in this season blows from the continent, while later it picks up moisture from the sea and bring snowfall over Kamchatka. Annual precipitation amounts to 550 mm (21.5 in), with a maximum of 85 mm (3.3 in) in August. Snowfalls occur from October to May, but they are not abundant because, as we mentioned, the winter is dry.

In Magadan, the sunniest months (albeit slightly) are March and April, while later, from May to September, there is a certain number of days with rainfall or even fog.

Petropavlovsk

In Petropavlovsk-Kamčatskij, in the wet peninsula of Kamčatka, the average temperature ranges from -8 °C (18 °F) in January to 12 °C (53.5 °F) in August.

Precipitation amounts to 1,330 mm (52.5 in) and is frequent throughout the year, which means that there are heavy snowfalls in winter. The wettest season, however, is autumn. Here is the average precipitation.

In Petropavlovsk, there is not much sun all year round because of the disturbances that frequently pass over the area.

Near Petropavlovsk, the sea, close to the freezing point in winter, remains cold even in summer, reaching only 11 °C (52 °F) in August and September.

On the island of Sakhalin, summer is a bit warmer, while winter is still very cold, with heavy snowfalls. In summer, owing to the effect of the Asian monsoon, rainfall exceeds 100 mm (4 in) per month; occasionally, the island may be affected by typhoons, tropical cyclones coming from Southeast Asia.

Vladivostok

In Vladivostok, on the coast of the Sea of Japan, in the southernmost part of Siberia (at 43 degrees north latitude), the average temperature ranges from -12.5 °C (9.5 °F) in January to 20 °C (68 °F) in August.

In Vladivostok, the summer rains are abundant, so much so that in August, 155 mm (6 in) of rain fall. The winter is dry and sunny, but also swept by dusty winds from Mongolia. However, precipitation amounts to 800 mm (31.5 in) because of the summer rains. This coastal area too, can occasionally be affected by typhoons in August and September, although when they arrive here, they are weaker than they were in the tropical seas. Here is the average precipitation.

The sun in Vladivostok is often seen in winter, while in summer, cloudy days are frequent because of the monsoon.

Unlike in the rest of Siberia, the sea near Vladivostok warms up in summer, and it becomes almost acceptable for swimming, especially in August.

Best Time

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The best time to visit the Asian part of Russia is summer, in fact, it is the warmest and the only one that is not cold, and in particular, the months of July and August.
In the arctic and subarctic regions, summer is the only period when the temperature exceeds freezing, in particular you can go in July and August, with a preference for July, which is usually warmer (or less cold). It should be remembered that in the northernmost regions, which have an Arctic climate, mud dominates in summer because ice and snow do not melt completely. In the other areas, the thaw begins in April in the extreme south, and occurs progressively later and until June as you move to the north.
In the vast northern plains and in the area of the "Pole of Cold", temperatures are acceptable from June to August, with a preference for the period mid-June to mid-August. Sometimes, it can get hot during the day, but at other times, it can get cold at night, even as low as around the freezing point.
In the southern cities, the best period runs from June to August, though the temperature is usually above freezing in May and September as well.
In the eastern coastal regions, the best months are July and August because they are the least cold, although they are quite foggy and rainy. In the southernemost part, in Vladivostok, the best period is from July to September, although it is the rainiest because of the summer monsoon.

What to pack

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In winter: it is necessary to bring clothes for the big cold, synthetic, thermal long underwear, a fleece, a parka, a fur hat, a wind jacket in Goretex, warm boots.

In summer: on Arctic coasts and islands, bring warm clothing, a down jacket, a hat, gloves, a raincoat. In the continental areas and in the southern cities, bring spring/autumn clothes, short-sleeved shirts for hot days, a jacket and a sweater for the evening, which should be warmer in the northern areas; a raincoat or umbrella especially in the eastern area affected by the monsoon (see Vladivostok). On the eastern coasts and islands, bring spring/autumn clothes, but also a sweater, a warm jacket, a raincoat; bring gloves and a hat for the northern part and offshore excursions. In the mountains, warmer clothes depending on altitude; for the highest mountains, a fleece, a down jacket, a warm hat, gloves, a scarf.