Overall climate conditions of Moscow are considered as moderate continental. However number of features should be taken to account. Relief, urban land, parks and forest plantations provide features of the weather in different parts of the city.

I.e. regions protected by steep slopes of Sparrow Hills are having milder and warmer weather than neighborhood. In general severe frosts and exhausting heat aren’t usual in Moscow. However lately weather deviations become more frequent. There is probability of thaw at December and at summer cooling and showers are possible.

 

Seasons

 

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Moscow

In term of weather conditions March in Moscow is completely winter month. Range of air temperatures stays below 0 °C (32 °F) with drops to –15 °C (5 °F) at night. Cold weather alternates with short thaws and streets become slushy. Only at last decade of March actual spring comes to the city. Temperature shifts to positive range (above 32 °F) and snow thaws away.

However there always chances of early or late spring. In first case temperature rises to about 15 °C (59 °F) while late spring adds some snow at April. At May even night frosts are ceasing. Amount of daylight hours is increasing. There were year when May was hot with about 30 °C (86 °F). Last several days of the month are usually slightly colder, cloudy and rainy.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: 0 °C (32 °F) Min average t°: -8 °C (18 °F) Water t°: +3 °C (37 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Snowy/Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 35 mm (1.4")

April Max average t°: +10 °C (50 °F) Min average t°: +1 °C (34 °F) Water t°: +5 °C (41 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 37 mm (1.4")

May Max average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Water t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 53 mm (2.1")

Spring Holidays

March 8: International Women’s Day

April 1st: April Fool’s Day
April 2nd: Day of Unity
April 12: Cosmonautics Day
April 26: Day in memory of the victims of radiation accidents and catastrophes
April 30: Labor Day holiday

May 1st: Labor Day
May 9: Victory Day

Summer in Moscow

Period of summer weather in almost perfectly matches calendar. Sometimes it even lasts through first half of September when Indian summer comes. Weather conditions of June are uncertain. There is probability of cool and hot days and thunders. When cooling occurs night temperatures may drop to 5 °C (41 °F) and daytime heat may reach 30 °C (86 °F).

July is hot month when air warms up to 33 °C (91 °F) at day and never cools lover 17 °C (63 °F) at night. There are occasional showers but they are short. August is characterized by alteration of warm (up to 29 °C; 84 °F) and cold (below 20 °C; 68 °F) days. By the end of August average marks are lower for autumn is approaching.

 

Climate of the Summer Months

 

June Max average t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Min average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Water t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 58 mm (2.3")

July Max average t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Water t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 88 mm (3.5")

August Max average t°: +22°C (71 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Water t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 70 mm (2.7")

Summer Holidays

June 1st: International Children's Day
June 6: Pushkin’s Day (Day of Russian language)
June 12: National Russia’s Day
June 22: Day of Memory and Grief (beginning of WW II)

July 8: Day of Family, Love and Fidelity
July 28: Day of the Baptism of Rus

August 22: State Flag Day of the Russian Federation
August 27: Day of Russian Cinema

Autumn in Moscow

Autumn in Moscow have wide range of temperatures. At September and early October temperature may rise up to 25 °C (77 °F) if Indian summer occurs. However constant gradual decreasing of temperature and daylight is happening too. Rains become more frequent and longer but lose intensity.

At October weather become damp and dull with occasional night frosts yet at daytime air still warms up to 15 °C (56 °F). November is colder and even duller with probability of snow. Though snow cover thaws quickly for ground haven’t cooled down. This will last until late November.

 

Climate of the Autumn Months

 

September Max average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Min average t°: +7 °C (45 °F) Water t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 58 mm (2.3")

October Max average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Min average t°: +3 °C (37 °F) Water t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Sundial in the day: 2 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 45 mm (1.8")

November Max average t°: +2 °C (36 °F) Min average t°: -3 °C (26 °F) Water t°: +3 °C (37 °F) Sundial in the day: 1 hour Rainy/Snowy days: 10 days Precipitation: 47 mm (1.8")

Autumn Holidays

The first weekend of September: Day of the city of Moscow

September 1: Day of Knowledge
September 3: Day of solidarity in the fight against terrorism
September 27: World Tourism Day

October 1st: Day of Older Persons
October 30: Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repression

November 4 – Day of Unity.
November 5 – Day of Unity Holiday.
Last Sunday of November: Mother’s Day

Winter in Moscow

Actual winter in Moscow is moderately cold with occasional thaws which may last from several days to half of a season. Overall weather is cold yet uncertain. Temperature range is wide between -5 and –20 °C (+23…-4 °F). Climate changes causing abnormal high temperatures and unpredictable shifts of average range (within mentioned range).

Weather at January and February are usually formed under impact of Arctic or Siberian anticyclones. At this time range of average drops to -10 and –25 °C (+14…-13 °F). Snow cover reaches 700 mm (27.5”). Most of precipitation falls in form of snow however rains are possible too during thaws.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: -5 °C (23 °F) Min average t°: -10 °C (14 °F) Water t°: +3 °C (37 °F) Sundial in the day: 1 hour Snowy days: 15 days Precipitation: 54 mm (2.1")

January Max average t°: -9 °C (16 °F) Min average t°: -16 °C (3 °F) Water t°: +3 °C (37 °F) Sundial in the day: 1 hour Snowy days: 12 days Precipitation: 40 mm (1.6")

February Max average t°: -6 °C (21 °F) Min average t°: -14 °C (7 °F) Water t°: +3 °C (37 °F) Sundial in the day: 2 hours Snowy days: 10 days Precipitation: 38 mm (1.5")

Winter Holidays

December 9: Heroes of the Fatherland Day
December 12: Constitution Day of the Russian Federation
December 31: New Year’s Eve

January 1-6,8: New Year holidays
January 7: Christmas
January 25: Tatyana's Day (a holiday for all students)

February 8: Day of Russian Science
February 23: Day of the Defender of Fatherland