Last updated: January 18, 2025
Smiltene, Latvia, experiences a Dfb climate classification, characterized by a humid continental climate with distinct seasonal variations. The region endures harsh winters, with temperatures plummeting to a frigid -28°C (-18°F) in December, while summers offer a stark contrast, reaching a blistering 32°C (90°F) in July. The annual average temperature hovers around a mild 7°C (45°F), underscoring the significant temperature fluctuations that define this northern locale.
In Smiltene, Latvia, temperature patterns reveal significant seasonal transitions. Winter months, particularly January and February, are marked by extreme cold, with minimum temperatures hovering around -26°C (-15°F) and maximums only reaching between 8°C (47°F) and 10°C (49°F). As spring arrives in March and April, a gradual warming occurs, with March showing a notable increase to an average of 0°C (33°F), while April brings a more substantial rise, with maximums reaching 24°C (76°F). The summer months of June and July are relatively warm, featuring average temperatures of 17°C (62°F) and 18°C (64°F), alongside peak highs of 32°C (90°F). By August, temperatures begin to cool slightly, leading into September's crisp conditions. The fall months of October and November present a further decline, ultimately culminating in December’s return to winter, showcasing extreme lows of -28°C (-18°F). This seasonal cycle in Smiltene underscores the region's dramatic temperature variations throughout the year.
Rauna experiences a minimum temperature of -26°C (-14°F) in January and a maximum of 31°C (89°F) in July, making it a place with a wide temperature range throughout the year, as detailed in the monthly temperatures in Rauna. Conversely, Ape shares the same minimum of -26°C (-14°F) in December but has its peak at 31°C (88°F) in June, with more information available in the monthly temperatures in Ape. Meanwhile, Smiltene records a slightly lower minimum of -28°C (-18°F) in December and a higher maximum of 32°C (90°F) in July, as indicated in the monthly temperatures in Smiltene.
Precipitation in Smiltene, Latvia, is marked by a distinct seasonal pattern, with January and February receiving almost identical amounts of moisture at 40 mm (1.6 in) and 41 mm (1.6 in), respectively. The precipitation gradually increases through the spring months, reaching 50 mm (2.0 in) in March and 51 mm (2.0 in) in April. By May, the total climbs to 64 mm (2.5 in), indicating the onset of wetter conditions as the region transitions to summer. The peak of precipitation occurs in August, with a notable increase to 97 mm (3.8 in), coinciding with the warmest months of the year.
During the summer, average rainfall also continues to remain high with June and July seeing 74 mm (2.9 in) and 80 mm (3.2 in), respectively. The number of rainy days varies throughout the year, averaging around 10 to 13 days monthly, with July and August registering the highest at 13 days each. As autumn arrives, September and October maintain significant rainfall levels at 77 mm (3.0 in) and 76 mm (3.0 in), respectively, while November's precipitation drops to 58 mm (2.3 in). The year concludes with December bringing 56 mm (2.2 in) of moisture, reflective of the region's consistent precipitation patterns throughout the seasons.
In Smiltene, Latvia, sunshine duration exhibits a clear seasonal pattern, with hours of sunlight gradually increasing from winter into summer. The year begins with a modest 65 hours of sunshine in January, and this figure only slightly rises to 145 hours in February. However, as spring unfolds, there is a notable surge: March sees 258 hours, and by April, this increases to 334 hours. The momentum continues through May, where sunshine peaks at 427 hours, heralding the arrival of the vibrant summer months.
Summer in Smiltene reaches its pinnacle with June and July, boasting 452 hours and 446 hours respectively, solidifying these months as the city's sunniest. Although August sees a decrease to 382 hours, it still reflects significant sunshine compared to earlier months. As autumn approaches, daylight hours taper off, with September totaling 297 hours and October dropping to 209 hours. The transition into winter is stark, as November and December see a return to the winter lows with only 101 hours and 65 hours of sunshine, respectively. This cyclical trend highlights Smiltene's rich seasonal contrasts in sunlight, providing a vivid representation of the region's climatic fluctuations throughout the year.
The UV Index in Smiltene, Latvia, showcases a clear seasonal variation, reflecting the changing intensity of solar radiation throughout the year. During the winter months, particularly January and February, the UV Index remains low at 1 and 2, with a burn time of 45 minutes, indicating minimal risk for sunburns. As spring approaches, March marks the beginning of a gradual increase, with the UV Index rising to 3 and transitioning to moderate exposure in April, reaching a peak of 5. This reflects the strengthening sun and shorter burn times of 30 minutes, prompting increased awareness for outdoor activities.
The summer months display the highest UV Index values, with June and July peaking at 7 under high exposure conditions, where a burn time reduces to 25 minutes. August sees a slight decrease to 6, but it still falls within the high exposure category. As autumn sets in, the UV Index decreases, with September recording a moderate level of 4 before falling to low levels once again in October, November, and December, where the Index returns to 1. This seasonal fluctuation emphasizes the importance of sun safety awareness during the sunnier months, particularly from late spring to early autumn.
UV Risk Categories
Daylight duration in Smiltene, Latvia, exhibits a striking seasonal rhythm that aligns closely with the region's climatic shifts. The year commences in January with a mere 7 hours of daylight, gradually increasing to 9 hours in February and then 11 hours in March as spring begins to take hold. This trend accelerates in April, reaching 14 hours, and by May, the days become significantly longer, lasting 16 hours. The summer months of June and July are the peak for daylight, with each offering an impressive 17 hours of light, allowing for extended enjoyment of outdoor activities.
As summer wanes into autumn, daylight duration starts to decline, tapering off to 15 hours in August and further down to 12 hours in September. The descent continues into October, which sees only 10 hours of daylight, followed by a steep drop to 7 hours in November and 6 hours by December. This cyclical pattern underscores the contrast between the long, bright days of summer and the much shorter, darker days of winter, compelling residents to adapt their routines and activities in alignment with the available sunlight throughout the year.
Ape, Latvia experiences a diverse climate with cold winters and warm summers. January and February see average temperatures around -3°C (27°F), while July and August peak at an average of 18°C (64°F). Precipitation varies throughout the year, with August receiving the highest average at 103 mm (4.0 in), and December being the driest month. Sunshine is abundant from April to August, with over 400 hours of sunlight in May and June. For more detailed information, visit Ape climate.
Rauna, Latvia experiences a diverse climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers. January temperatures can drop to as low as -26°C (-14°F), while July sees highs reaching 31°C (89°F). Precipitation is relatively consistent throughout the year, peaking in the summer months, with July averaging 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain. The region enjoys its most sunshine in June and May, with approximately 459 hours and 433 hours, respectively. For more detailed information, visit Rauna climate.
Smiltene, Latvia experiences a diverse climate characterized by chilly winters and mild summers. January and February see minimum temperatures that can drop below -25°C (-13°F), while July and August bring warmer averages around 18°C (64°F) to 32°C (90°F). Precipitation tends to peak in the summer months, with July receiving approximately 76 mm (3.0 in) of rain. Sunlight hours increase significantly from the dark winter months, reaching a high of 449 hours in June. For more detailed information, visit Smiltene climate.
In conclusion, Smiltene, Latvia experiences distinct seasonal variations across several climatic elements, including temperature, precipitation, sunshine duration, UV Index, and daylight hours. These fluctuations underscore the region’s transitional nature, with marked differences between the colder months and the warm summers. The data reveals a progression from the harsh winter conditions with limited daylight and low UV exposure to the vibrant, sun-soaked days of summer, characterized by abundant sunshine and increased UV intensity. Such insights are crucial for residents and visitors alike, as they navigate outdoor activities throughout the year, emphasizing the importance of sun safety during the peak periods of exposure while also adapting to the significant changes in weather and light that define Smiltene's annual climate cycle.