Russian Far East is vast territory of 11 Russian territorial subjects with low population density in Asia. It is 41% of total territory of the country. Comparing to European Russia with its 115 millions of population and 20% of total territory of the country Far East seem to be uninhabited.

Weather varies greatly from arctic and subarctic climate in northernmost regions to monsoon on the Sakhalin Island. Average annual temperature varies from -10 °C (14 °F) in north to 6 °C (43 °F) in south.

Precipitation varies too. Northern regions are drier with average annual rainfall of 200 mm (8”) while southern regions receive up to 1000 mm (39”). Relative air humidity is high in whole Far East. It never drops below 65% and occasionally even reaches 95% in certain regions.

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in the Russian Far East

Spring is short in Far East. Considering weather conditions March is rather winter month than spring one. It is cold, cloudy, windy and snowy. Spring rolls northward from mid-April and reaches northernmost territories only in May. Less precipitation is distinctive feature of the season. Fast melting of snow leads to floods in northern regions. Temperature varies between 5 °C (41 °F) and 15 °C (59 °F). Daily amount of sunshine hours grows.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: -2 °C (29 °F) Min average t°: -12 °C (9 °F) Sundial in the day: 3.5 hours Snowy days: 2 days Precipitation: 30 mm (1.2")

April Max average t°: +10 °C (49 °F) Min average t°: -1 °C (30 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 44 mm (1.7")

May Max average t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Min average t°: +5.5 °C (42 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 68 mm (2.7")

(Khabarovsk)

Spring Holidays

March-April – Easter Celebrations.
March 8 – Women’s Day.
April 1 – April Fool’s Day.
May 1 – Labor Day.

Summer in the Russian Far East

Summer comes to Russian Far East slowly, but in time. First more or less warm days occur in early June. Coastal regions are influenced by Pacific air masses. Continental and oceanic air blends in warm monsoons. Average temperature of July on coasts is around 19 °C (66 °F).

Inland regions are warmer. In warmest places temperature may reach 30 °C (86 °F). The Kurile Islands and coasts of the Sea of Okhotsk have the coldest summers. Temperature there doesn’t rises above 15 °C (59 °F) with frequent rains and fogs. Hurricanes, typhoons and showers with strong winds are not uncommon there. White Nights come to Magadan Oblast.

Climate of the Summer Months

June Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (53 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 79 mm (3.1")

July Max average t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 115 mm (4.5")

August Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (58 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 98 mm (3.9")

(Khabarovsk)

Summer Holidays

June 6 – Pushkin’s Day.
June 12 – Russia’s Day.
June 27 – Youth’s Day.

July 7 – Kupala Night.
July 28 – Day of the Baptism of Rus’.
August 2 – Day of paratroopers.

Autumn in the Russian Far East

Climatic autumn starts in late August. By September air cools down to 11-17 °C (52-62 °F). Precipitation is moderate and decreasing. In late September first snow may fall. Between late October and early November snow cover forms in most of regions. Averages drop below freezing and all bodies of water are covering with ice. With progression of the season amount of days with precipitation decreases as well as amount of daylight hours.

Climate of the Autumn Months

September Max average t°: +18 °C (65 °F) Min average t°: +8.5 °C (47 °F) Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 67 mm (2.6")

October Max average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Min average t°: 0 °C (32 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 54 mm (2.1")

November Max average t°: -4 °C (24 °F) Min average t°: -12 °C (10 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Snowy days: 3 days Precipitation: 31 mm (1.2")

(Khabarovsk)

Autumn Holidays

September 1 – Day of Knowledge.
October 5 – Teacher’s Day.
Last Sunday of November – Mother’s Day.

Winter in the Russian Far East

Late November marks beginning of rapid cooling. Average temperatures of January are between -22 °C (-7 °F) and -24 °C (-11 °F), but occasional drops to much lower marks are common. For example in Magadan Oblast and on banks of the Amur River frost may reach -50 °C (-58 °F). Warmest winters are on the Sakhalin Island and the Kamchatka Peninsula. Coastal areas are poor on snow while in coldest regions it may reach level of 3 m. It starts to gradually warm up after mid-January, but temperature stays in range below freezing until very March.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: -14 °C (6 °F) Min average t°: -22 °C (-7 °F) Sundial in the day: 2 hours Snowy days: 1 day Precipitation: 25 mm (1.0")

January Max average t°: -17 °C (2 °F) Min average t°: -25 °C (-13 °F) Sundial in the day: 1.5 hours Snowy days: 0-1 days Precipitation: 11 mm (0.4")

February Max average t°: -12 °C (10 °F) Min average t°: -22 °C (-8 °F) Sundial in the day: 2 hours Snowy days: 1 day Precipitation: 16 mm (0.6")

(Khabarovsk)

Winter Holidays

December 12 – Constitution Day.
December 31-January 1 – New Year Celebrations.

January 7 – Orthodox Christmas.
January 14 – Old-Style New Year.
January 19 – Orthodox Epiphany.

February – Shrovetide.
February 14 – St Valentines’ Day.
February 23 – Day of the Defenders.