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Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
The climate of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is
continental (according to the Köppen classification, humid continental climate with warm summers - Dfb), with very cold winters and very mild to relatively warm summers.
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is a city of 200,000 inhabitants, the capital of Sakhalin Oblast, located in the Far East of Siberia, in the southern part of
Sakhalin Island, 15 kilometers (9 miles) away from the coast and at almost 47 degrees north latitude.
South of this island, and about 165 km (100 mi) from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, lies the Japanese island of Hokkaido. In winter, a cold current in the Sea of Okhotsk carries
drifting ice to both islands.
Although it is located on an island and a short distance from the coast, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is surrounded by mountains that partly isolate it from the sea, so the
daily temperature range is greater than on the coast.
Precipitation is moderate, almost 900 millimeters (35.5 inches) per year. In fact, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is one of the rainiest (and snowiest) cities in all of Siberia, surpassed only by Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands.
It usually snows from November to April. Compared to what happens in much of Siberia, the winter is not very dry, so heavy snowfalls can occur.
However, the rainiest period is from July to October. In summer, the area is affected by the
Asian monsoon, which brings humid air from the seas around China and Japan.
Winter is long and cold. The daily average temperature is around or below freezing from October to April. The average in January is about -15.5 °C (4 °F). Typically, on colder periods the sun comes out, while during the relatively mild periods, when the temperature still remains below freezing, the sky is cloudy and light snow falls.
In this season, the
prevailing winds are from the northwest, from the Siberian hinterland, which are originally freezing but dry, but which pass over the sea and are loaded with humidity, bringing frequent
snowfall, which are usually light, but can sometimes be abundant. On the western coast of Sakhalin Island (see Kholmsk), snowfall is more abundant (although not as abundant as in Hokkaido and the northern part of Honshu, because the winds cross a longer stretch of sea before reaching them).
During
cold waves, the temperature drops to -20 °C (-4 °F) or below every year, and once every few years it drops below -30 °C (-22 °F).
The record is -36.2 °C (-33.2 °F), set in January 1961. Since then, however, it has never dropped below -35 °C (-31 °F).
In January 1954, the monthly daily average was -17.4 °C (-0.7 °F).
Summer, from June to mid-September, is very mild to pleasantly warm, 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 warmest month is August, with an average of 18 °C (64.5 °F).
Especially from mid-June to early August, there can also be
hot periods, during which the temperature can reach 30/31 °C (86/88 °F), and more rarely exceed them. The record is 34.7 °C (94.5 °F), set in August 1999.
Occasionally, in August and September or early October, the south of Sakhalin Island, along with the territory of the Siberian Littoral (Primorsky Krai), can be affected by
typhoons, the tropical cyclones of Southeast Asia, although they arrive weakened compared to when they hit China and Japan. In August 2014, Typhoon Halong brought wind gusts of 150 kph (93 mph) to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Yuzhno Sakhalinsk - Climate data
In Yuzhno Sakhalinsk, the
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -11.2 °C (11.8 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 18 °C (64.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Yuzhno Sakhalinsk - Average temperatures (1991-2020) |
| Month | Min | Max | Mean |
|---|
| January | -16.4 | -6 | -11.2 |
|---|
| February | -17.4 | -5 | -11.2 |
|---|
| March | -10.9 | -0.2 | -5.5 |
|---|
| April | -2.6 | 6.7 | 2.1 |
|---|
| May | 2.6 | 13.4 | 8 |
|---|
| June | 7.8 | 18 | 12.9 |
|---|
| July | 12.2 | 20.9 | 16.6 |
|---|
| August | 13.6 | 22.4 | 18 |
|---|
| September | 8.8 | 19.3 | 14.1 |
|---|
| October | 2 | 12.6 | 7.3 |
|---|
| November | -5.1 | 3.6 | -0.7 |
|---|
| December | -13.1 | -3.6 | -8.4 |
|---|
| Year | -1.4 | 8.6 | 3.55 |
|---|
amounts to 895 millimeters (35.2 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 39.1 mm (1.5 in) in the driest month (February) to 114.4 mm (4.5 in) in the wettest one (August). Here is the average precipitation.
Yuzhno Sakhalinsk - Average precipitation| Month | Days |
|---|
| January | 57 | 9 |
|---|
| February | 39 | 8 |
|---|
| March | 53 | 9 |
|---|
| April | 60 | 8 |
|---|
| May | 65 | 8 |
|---|
| June | 55 | 7 |
|---|
| July | 88 | 8 |
|---|
| August | 114 | 9 |
|---|
| September | 111 | 10 |
|---|
| October | 99 | 11 |
|---|
| November | 79 | 11 |
|---|
| December | 75 | 12 |
|---|
| Year | 895 | 110 |
|---|
The
sea temperature ranges from 1 °C (34 °F) in February, March to 17.5 °C (64 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Yuzhno Sakhalinsk - Sea temperature| Month |
|---|
| January | 1.51.5 |
|---|
| February | 1 |
|---|
| March | 1 |
|---|
| April | 2.5 |
|---|
| May | 5 |
|---|
| June | 9.5 |
|---|
| July | 14.5 |
|---|
| August | 17.5 |
|---|
| September | 16.5 |
|---|
| October | 12 |
|---|
| November | 7"> |
|---|
| December | 3.5 |
|---|
| Year | 7.6 |
|---|
There are on average around 1985
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Yuzhno Sakhalinsk - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
| January | 4.5 | 135 |
|---|
| February | 5.5 | 155 |
|---|
| March | 6 | 190 |
|---|
| April | 6.5 | 195 |
|---|
| May | 6.5 | 210 |
|---|
| June | 6 | 185 |
|---|
| July | 5.5 | 165 |
|---|
| August | 5.5 | 165 |
|---|
| September | 6.5 | 190 |
|---|
| October | 5.5 | 165 |
|---|
| November | 4 | 115 |
|---|
| December | 3.5 | 115 |
|---|
| Year | 5.4 | 1985 |
|---|
Yuzhno Sakhalinsk - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a freezing cold month. The average temperature is of
-11.2 °C, with a minimum of
-16.4 °C and a maximum of
-6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-28 °C. However, it dropped to
-32.8 °C in January 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
1 °C. However, it reached
4.3 °C in January 2010.
Precipitation amounts to
57.4 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
11.5 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 -11.2 °C, with a minimum of -17.4 °C and a maximum of -5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -27.5 °C. However, it dropped to -34.8 °C in February 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 2 °C. However, it reached 6.4 °C in February 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 39.1 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 10.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 0.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
March is generally a freezing cold month. The average temperature is of -5.5 °C, with a minimum of -10.9 °C and a maximum of -0.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -22.5 °C. However, it dropped to -27.6 °C in March 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6.5 °C. However, it reached 11.1 °C in March 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 52.7 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 12.1 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 1.2 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
April is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 2.1 °C, with a minimum of -2.6 °C and a maximum of 6.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11 °C. However, it dropped to -19.5 °C in April 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C. However, it reached 22.9 °C in April 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 60.3 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 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 12.7 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 2.3 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
May is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8 °C, with a minimum of 2.6 °C and a maximum of 13.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C. However, it dropped to -5 °C in May 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C. However, it reached 27.8 °C in May 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 65.1 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 13.4 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 5.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
June is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.9 °C, with a minimum of 7.8 °C and a maximum of 18 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C. However, it dropped to -0.9 °C in June 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C. However, it reached 30.8 °C in June 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 55.3 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 50 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 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 12 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 9.5 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
July is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.6 °C, with a minimum of 12.2 °C and a maximum of 20.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C. However, it dropped to 1.5 °C in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C. However, it reached 30.8 °C in July 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 88.3 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 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 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 10.3 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 14.3 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 18 °C, with a minimum of 13.6 °C and a maximum of 22.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C. However, it dropped to 3.7 °C in August 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C. However, it reached 34.7 °C in August 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 114.4 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 9.5 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 17.6 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
September is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.1 °C, with a minimum of 8.8 °C and a maximum of 19.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C. However, it dropped to -4.2 °C in September 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C. However, it reached 29 °C in September 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 111.2 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 9.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
October is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.3 °C, with a minimum of 2 °C and a maximum of 12.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C. However, it dropped to -8 °C in October 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C. However, it reached 22.8 °C in October 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 99.3 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 10.7 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 11.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
November is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -0.7 °C, with a minimum of -5.1 °C and a maximum of 3.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -15 °C. However, it dropped to -20.7 °C in November 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C. However, it reached 17.5 °C in November 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 79.2 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 10.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 6.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
December is generally a freezing cold month. The average temperature is of -8.4 °C, with a minimum of -13.1 °C and a maximum of -3.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -22.5 °C. However, it dropped to -26.9 °C in December 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 3.5 °C. However, it reached 7.4 °C in December 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 74.8 mm, distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 35 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of 10.5 kph.
The average sea temperature is of 3.3 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.