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Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
The climate of Verkhoyansk is
cold continental, with extremely cold winters and mild summers.
Verkhoyansk is a village of about 1,300 inhabitants located in eastern Siberia, in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), on the banks of the Yana River, and at 63 degrees north latitude, and is famous for being
one of the coldest inhabited places in the world.
We are in an area surrounded by
mountain ranges, where the air tends to stagnate in the lowest layers, especially in winter. In particular, to the west are the
Verkhoyansk Mountains, which reach 2,400 metres (7,900 feet), while to the east are the
Chersky mountains, which reach 3,000 metres (9,800 feet).
The
average temperature ranges from about -44.5 °C (-48 °F) in January to about 17 °C (62.5 °F) in July. The daily mean exceeds freezing for five months of the year, from May to September, while it exceeds 10 °C (50 °F) for just three months. For this reason, in the Köppen classification, it is classified as
subarctic climate, in the version with extremely cold winters (Dfd).
The
coldest record is -67.8 °C (-90.05 °F) and was set in January 1885 and in February 1892. However, according to some sources, on the latter occasion the temperature dropped to -69.8 °C (-93.6 °F). If we want to take the record of -67.8 °C as valid, this is a value just one tenth of a degree Celsius lower than that of
Oymyakon, another Siberian village, located 630 km (390 mi) to the south-east but at 700 metres (2,300 feet) above sea level, where the temperature reached -67.7 °C (-89.86 °F) in February 1933. That month, the temperature in Verkhoyansk dropped to -65.5 °C (-85.9 °F).
However, for Oymyakon there is also the unofficial figure of -71.2 °C (-96.2 °F), recorded in January 1924, while there is no data for the end of the 19th century.
In the post-war period, the lowest temperature in Verkhoyansk was -63 °C (-81.4 °F), recorded in January 1982, while in Oymyakon it was -65.4 °C (-85.7 °F), recorded in January 1973.
All in all, considering also the slightly lower averages and extreme minimum averages, it seems that the title for the coldest inhabited place goes to Oymyakon.
Still in the post-war period, the coldest month in Verkhoyansk was January 1967, with a daily average of -51.1 °C (-61.8 °F). It was also the same in Oymyakon, but one degree less Celsius less (-63.4 °F).
In the past, temperatures were lower: in the thirty years 1951-1980, in Verkhoyansk, the average minimum in January was -50,2 °C (-58.4 °F), and the average maximum was -43.6 (-46.5 °F).
Summer is mild during the day, with cold nights, however, hwever, there can be hot periods, with highs of 30°C (86 °F) and more.
The hottest record is 38 °C (100.4 °F), set in June 2020, which represents the highest value ever recorded north of the Arctic Circle. Compared to the coldest record, this represents the world-record temperature range for the same locality, of 105.8 °C (190.4 °F).
Previously, the temperature had reached 37.3 °C (99.2 °F) in July 1988. In July 2001, the average maximum temperature was 29.9 °C (85.8 °F).
Sometimes, the temperature can drop below freezing even in summer, although this rarely happens in July.
Precipitation in Verkhoyansk is scarce during the long winter months because of the cold. It's no wonder that the rainiest season is summer, when rainfall is quite frequent, though not abundant. The total, 180 millimeters (7 inches), is among the lowest in all of Siberia.
However, in winter, the little humidity in the air tends to condense due to the cold, so that
light snow often falls, or tiny needles of ice, which are not statistically significant because they do not accumulate more than a millimeter per day.
The ground is normally covered in snow from about the second week of October to the first of May.
The
sun in Verkhoyansk is rarely seen from November to January, also because of the short duration of the day. From December 15 to 27, the sun remains below the horizon (polar night).
On the other hand, in spring, the sun shines for a fair amount of hours, both because of the length of the day and of the low number of rainy days.
Due to refraction, the sun remains above the horizon even at midnight for a longer period than the polar night, namely from May 30 to July 14.
Verkhoyansk - Climate data
In Verkhoyansk, the
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -44.6 °C (-48.3 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 17.2 °C (62.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Verkhoyansk - Average temperatures (1991-2013) |
| Month | Min | Max | Mean |
|---|
| January | -47.7 | -41.6 | -44.6 |
|---|
| February | -46.6 | -37.4 | -42 |
|---|
| March | -38.2 | -19.9 | -29 |
|---|
| April | -21.8 | -2.6 | -12.2 |
|---|
| May | -2 | 10.4 | 4.2 |
|---|
| June | 7.2 | 20.3 | 13.8 |
|---|
| July | 10.4 | 23.9 | 17.2 |
|---|
| August | 5.6 | 19.1 | 12.3 |
|---|
| September | -2.2 | 8.2 | 3 |
|---|
| October | -18.5 | -8.8 | -13.7 |
|---|
| November | -37.4 | -30.2 | -33.8 |
|---|
| December | -46 | -39.9 | -42.9 |
|---|
| Year | -19.6 | -8 | -13.8 |
|---|
amounts to 180 millimeters (7.1 inches) per year: it is therefore at a desert level. It ranges from 4 mm (0.2 in) in the driest month (April) to 36.2 mm (1.4 in) in the wettest one (July). Here is the average precipitation.
Verkhoyansk - Average precipitation| Month | Days |
|---|
| January | 6 | 2 |
|---|
| February | 5 | 1 |
|---|
| March | 5 | 2 |
|---|
| April | 4 | 1 |
|---|
| May | 15 | 4 |
|---|
| June | 29 | 6 |
|---|
| July | 36 | 7 |
|---|
| August | 30 | 6 |
|---|
| September | 22 | 5 |
|---|
| October | 12 | 4 |
|---|
| November | 10 | 4 |
|---|
| December | 6 | 2 |
|---|
| Year | 180 | 44 |
|---|
There are on average around 2040
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Verkhoyansk - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
| January | 0 | 5 |
|---|
| February | 3 | 85 |
|---|
| March | 7 | 220 |
|---|
| April | 9.5 | 280 |
|---|
| May | 10 | 310 |
|---|
| June | 12 | 355 |
|---|
| July | 10.5 | 325 |
|---|
| August | 7 | 220 |
|---|
| September | 4.5 | 130 |
|---|
| October | 2.5 | 85 |
|---|
| November | 1 | 25 |
|---|
| December | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| Year | 5.6 | 2040 |
|---|
Verkhoyansk - 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
-44.6 °C, with a minimum of
-47.7 °C and a maximum of
-41.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-55 °C. However, it dropped to
-60.6 °C in January 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
-27 °C. However, it reached
-9.5 °C in January 1997.
Precipitation amounts to only
5.7 mm, distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 3 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are very short.
There are on average 0 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 5% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
2.2 kph.
February is generally a freezing cold month. The average temperature is of -42 °C, with a minimum of -46.6 °C and a maximum of -37.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -54 °C. However, it dropped to -61.1 °C in February 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around -23.5 °C. However, it reached -7.9 °C in February 2002.
Precipitation amounts to only 5.3 mm, and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 1.8 kph.
March is generally a freezing cold month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of -29 °C, with a minimum of -38.2 °C and a maximum of -19.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -49.5 °C. However, it dropped to -51.7 °C in March 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around -5.5 °C. However, it reached 3.4 °C in March 2001.
Precipitation amounts to only 5.2 mm, distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is of 2.5 kph.
April is generally a freezing cold month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of -12.2 °C, with a minimum of -21.8 °C and a maximum of -2.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -37.5 °C. However, it dropped to -43.9 °C in April 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6.5 °C. However, it reached 13.3 °C in April 1997.
Precipitation amounts to only 4 mm, and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is of 5.4 kph.
May is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.2 °C, with a minimum of -2 °C and a maximum of 10.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13.5 °C. However, it dropped to -24.1 °C in May 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C. However, it reached 26 °C in May 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 14.7 mm, distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 20 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is of 8.6 kph.
June is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 13.8 °C, with a minimum of 7.2 °C and a maximum of 20.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C. However, it dropped to -5.5 °C in June 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C. However, it reached 33.2 °C in June 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 29.1 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 24 hours and 0 minutes. So the sun is always above the horizon.
There are on average 12 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is of 9.4 kph.
July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 17.2 °C, with a minimum of 10.4 °C and a maximum of 23.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C. However, it dropped to -1.7 °C in July 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C. However, it reached 35.4 °C in July 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 36.2 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 22 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is of 7.9 kph.
August is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 12.3 °C, with a minimum of 5.6 °C and a maximum of 19.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C. However, it dropped to -8.3 °C in August 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C. However, it reached 33.4 °C in August 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 30.1 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is of 6.1 kph.
September is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3 °C, with a minimum of -2.2 °C and a maximum of 8.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11 °C. However, it dropped to -18.9 °C in September 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C. However, it reached 24.4 °C in September 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 22.1 mm, distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 5.8 kph.
October is generally a freezing cold month. The average temperature is of -13.7 °C, with a minimum of -18.5 °C and a maximum of -8.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -35 °C. However, it dropped to -43.6 °C in October 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 4 °C. However, it reached 9.1 °C in October 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 11.7 mm, distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 4 kph.
November is generally a freezing cold month. The average temperature is of -33.8 °C, with a minimum of -37.4 °C and a maximum of -30.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -48 °C. However, it dropped to -51.6 °C in November 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around -12.5 °C. However, it reached 0 °C in November 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 10.5 mm, distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 5 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 1 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 17% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 2.5 kph.
December is generally a freezing cold month. The average temperature is of -42.9 °C, with a minimum of -46 °C and a maximum of -39.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -53 °C. However, it dropped to -59.9 °C in December 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around -22 °C. However, it reached -11.5 °C in December 2013.
Precipitation amounts to only 6.4 mm, distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 0 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are very short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 0 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 4% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 2.5 kph.