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Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
The climate of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is
subarctic (according to the Köppen classification, subarctic climate - Dfc), with oceanic influences, with very cold winters, mild summers, and abundant precipitation.
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is a city of 165,000 inhabitants, the capital of the Kamchatka Krai (Territory), located in the Siberian Far East, in the southeastern part of the
Kamchatka Peninsula, in Avacha Bay, located near the Pacific coast, and at 53 degrees north latitude.
We are in an area rich in
volcanoes, the closest of which are Avachinsky, 2,741 meters (8,993 ft) high, and Koryaksky, 3,456 meters (11,339 ft) high.
Due to its location on a peninsula and a low latitude, the climate in winter is less cold than in the rest of Siberia. In fact, we are in one of the few areas of Siberia with an average coldest month above -10 °C or 14 °F (along with the mildest part of the Primorsky Krai, the south of Sakhalin Island and the Kuril Islands). However, the maritime influence also makes the climate rainy and windy.
However, the maritime influence also makes the climate
rainy and windy, and snowy in winter, due to the clashes between the cold air masses coming from the Siberian hinterland (which are loaded with moisture as they pass over the Sea of Okhotsk) and the milder ones coming up from the Pacific.
The
wind blows often, and can be strong, especially from October to March, with gusts that can exceed 100 kph (62 mph).
Precipitation is quite abundant, 1,150 millimeters (45 inches) per year. In fact, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is located in one of the rainiest (and snowiest) areas in all of Siberia, surpassed only by the Kuril Islands, which are located south of Kamchatka.
The rainiest season is autumn. It usually snows from November to early May. Compared to much of Siberia, winter is not dry, so
heavy snowfall can occur. In fact, from February to April, the snow normally reaches a meter (39 inches) in height, and can sometimes exceed two meters.
Unlike what usually happens in Siberia, summer is not the rainiest season, in fact, May and June are the driest months.
Winter is very cold, snowy and windy. However, with an average of around -6 °C (21 °F) in January and February, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is one of the mildest (or rather, less cold) cities in all of Siberia in winter.
During
cold spells, the temperature can drop below -20 °C (-4 °F).
The record is -26.6 °C (-15.9 °F), set in January 1931. Since then, it has only dropped below -25 °C (-13 °F) in February 2001, with -25.3 °C (-13.5 °F).
Summer, from June to mid-September, is mild, with frequent rain, wind and fog. Sometimes it can get cold even in this season, especially in June. Due to the delay in warming the sea, the temperature rises slowly, and the mildest month is August, with an average of 14 °C (57 °F).
At times there can be
warm periods, during which the temperature can reach and exceed 25 °C (77 °F). The record is 30 °C (86 °F), set in July 2012.
Petropavlovsk - Climate data
In Petropavlovsk, the
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -6.4 °C (20.6 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 14.1 °C (57.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Petropavlovsk - Average temperatures (1991-2013) |
| Month | Min | Max | Mean |
|---|
| January | -8.8 | -3.9 | -6.4 |
|---|
| February | -8.9 | -3.6 | -6.2 |
|---|
| March | -6.2 | -0.7 | -3.5 |
|---|
| April | -2.1 | 3.3 | 0.6 |
|---|
| May | 1.9 | 8.3 | 5.1 |
|---|
| June | 6.6 | 13.7 | 10.1 |
|---|
| July | 10.1 | 16.6 | 13.4 |
|---|
| August | 11 | 17.3 | 14.1 |
|---|
| September | 7.6 | 14.4 | 11 |
|---|
| October | 2.9 | 8.3 | 5.6 |
|---|
| November | -2.7 | 1.8 | -0.4 |
|---|
| December | -7.1 | -2.7 | -4.9 |
|---|
| Year | 0.4 | 6.1 | 3.25 |
|---|
amounts to 1150 millimeters (45.3 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 55.5 mm (2.2 in) in the driest month (June) to 151.6 mm (6 in) in the wettest one (November). Here is the average precipitation.
Petropavlovsk - Average precipitation| Month | Days |
|---|
| January | 117 | 10 |
|---|
| February | 67 | 8 |
|---|
| March | 98 | 9 |
|---|
| April | 95 | 9 |
|---|
| May | 60 | 7 |
|---|
| June | 56 | 7 |
|---|
| July | 62 | 7 |
|---|
| August | 81 | 9 |
|---|
| September | 105 | 8 |
|---|
| October | 149 | 9 |
|---|
| November | 152 | 9 |
|---|
| December | 106 | 9 |
|---|
| Year | 1150 | 101 |
|---|
The
sea temperature ranges from 0.5 °C (33 °F) in March to 12 °C (54 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Petropavlovsk - Sea temperature| Month |
|---|
| January | 1.51.5 |
|---|
| February | 1 |
|---|
| March | 0.5 |
|---|
| April | 1 |
|---|
| May | 2.5 |
|---|
| June | 6 |
|---|
| July | 10 |
|---|
| August | 12 |
|---|
| September | 11 |
|---|
| October | 8 |
|---|
| November | 5"> |
|---|
| December | 2.5 |
|---|
| Year | 5.1 |
|---|
There are on average around 1870
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Petropavlovsk - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
| January | 3.5 | 105 |
|---|
| February | 4 | 115 |
|---|
| March | 5.5 | 175 |
|---|
| April | 6.5 | 190 |
|---|
| May | 6 | 190 |
|---|
| June | 6.5 | 190 |
|---|
| July | 5.5 | 170 |
|---|
| August | 5.5 | 175 |
|---|
| September | 6 | 175 |
|---|
| October | 5 | 160 |
|---|
| November | 4 | 125 |
|---|
| December | 3 | 95 |
|---|
| Year | 5.1 | 1870 |
|---|
Petropavlovsk - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2013
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a freezing cold month. The average temperature is of
-6.4 °C, with a minimum of
-8.8 °C and a maximum of
-3.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-17.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-24.8 °C in January 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
2.5 °C. However, it reached
5.1 °C in January 1991.
Precipitation amounts to
117.3 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
17.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
1.3 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
February is generally a freezing cold month. The average temperature is of -6.2 °C, with a minimum of -8.9 °C and a maximum of -3.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -16 °C. However, it dropped to -25.3 °C in February 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 2 °C. However, it reached 6.2 °C in February 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 67.4 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is of 18.4 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 0.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
March is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -3.5 °C, with a minimum of -6.2 °C and a maximum of -0.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12.5 °C. However, it dropped to -19.5 °C in March 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 3.5 °C. However, it reached 5.1 °C in March 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 98.3 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is of 17.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 0.6 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
April is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 0.6 °C, with a minimum of -2.1 °C and a maximum of 3.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C. However, it dropped to -11.3 °C in April 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8 °C. However, it reached 15.1 °C in April 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 95.4 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 15.1 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 0.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
May is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.1 °C, with a minimum of 1.9 °C and a maximum of 8.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C. However, it dropped to -2.4 °C in May 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C. However, it reached 20.5 °C in May 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 59.9 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 12.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 2.6 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
June is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.1 °C, with a minimum of 6.6 °C and a maximum of 13.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C. However, it dropped to 0.6 °C in June 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C. However, it reached 26.9 °C in June 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 55.5 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 55 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 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 11.2 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
July is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.4 °C, with a minimum of 10.1 °C and a maximum of 16.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C. However, it dropped to 2.9 °C in July 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C. However, it reached 30 °C in July 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 62.2 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 10.1 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.1 °C, with a minimum of 11 °C and a maximum of 17.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C. However, it dropped to 5 °C in August 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C. However, it reached 27.7 °C in August 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 81 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 10.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 11.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
September is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11 °C, with a minimum of 7.6 °C and a maximum of 14.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C. However, it dropped to 0.4 °C in September 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C. However, it reached 24.1 °C in September 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 105.4 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6 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 13 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 10.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
October is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.6 °C, with a minimum of 2.9 °C and a maximum of 8.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C. However, it dropped to -5.7 °C in October 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C. However, it reached 15.2 °C in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 148.7 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 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 of 16.9 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 7.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
November is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -0.4 °C, with a minimum of -2.7 °C and a maximum of 1.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C. However, it dropped to -14.8 °C in November 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6.5 °C. However, it reached 10.3 °C in November 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 151.6 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is of 19.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 4.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
December is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -4.9 °C, with a minimum of -7.1 °C and a maximum of -2.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13.5 °C. However, it dropped to -17.2 °C in December 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 2.5 °C. However, it reached 7.4 °C in December 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 105.8 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 18 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 2.6 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.