Weather in Russia and C.I.S.

The weather conditions across Russia vary with both distances and seasons. It is true to say, though, that December, January and February tend to be the coldest months with temperatures at least a few degrees below zero all over the territory of Russia. Middle of the country gets 10 to 15 C most of the time. Moving deeper into the Siberia, the average is usually 15 to 25 C.

It is not unusual, for a number of isolated Northern areas of Russia, to experience the extremes of 40, 50 and even 60 degrees Celsius below zero for a few days or even weeks a season.

Continental Russia sees the first frosts and snow as early as October, which only go away as late as a middle of April. Most of the territory accumulates as much as 100-120 centimeters (3 or 4 feet) of snow by the time it finally starts melting and leaves lots of mud and dust on the ground.

The days are quite short in winter. The sun goes up at about 11 and quickly disappears a few hours after that. The places to the North of the Polar Circle stay with no sunlight during the whole winter season as the sun never comes out from behind the horizon. Quite opposite in summer, when no one can tell a night from a day, with the sun always being up and shining.

May, June and July are the warmest months, with May being bright, green and fresh, July hot and a little dusty and with lots of swimming. There is hardly a summer when the country does not have a few weeks (or even a month) of temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius.

Summer is also a season when mosquitos and ticks are out and swarming in forests, as if trying to see if the visitor is for real and ready to take that much of it. Use mosquito coils or good (!) repellent if you decide to have a taste of it.

Bab'ye Lieto, or Indian Summer, (first two weeks of September) is a short return of summer back to Russia, shortly before the winter takes the land over for nearly half a year. It is normally a very dry, sunny, moderately warm period with lots of yellow and orange colors, and the trees getting ready for their long winter hibernation.

Late March and early April are not necessarily very attractive, and are quite an experience for a visitor as the land appears to be totally devoid of life and colors. Mud, slush, water - well over the level a standard western shoe can handle - all that poses an immediate challenge for those who decide to step on Russian soil.

Whatever the season or contrasts, enjoy your stay anyway and you will love it.

Check the current weather in Russian cities: