Last updated: January 18, 2025
Leningradskaya Oblast in the Russian Federation exhibits a diverse climate categorized primarily as Dfb and Dfc according to the Köppen-Geiger system. Characterized by cold winters and mild summers, the region experiences a minimum temperature plummeting to -36°C (-32°F) in January, while in June, temperatures can soar to a maximum of 36°C (97°F). The annual average temperature hovers around 6°C (43°F), highlighting the stark contrasts between the seasons and providing a unique ecological context for the region's weather patterns.
Leningradskaya Oblast experiences distinct seasonal temperature patterns, marked by harsh winters and mild summers. January and February are the coldest months, with minimum temperatures often plunging to -36°C and -32°C, respectively, creating an average chill around -4°C. As spring approaches in March and April, temperatures gradually rise, with early signs of warmth leading to an average of 4°C in April and daytime highs reaching 25°C. May heralds the full arrival of spring, showcasing a noticeable increase in warmth, with average temperatures reaching 10°C and maximum temperatures nearing 33°C. The summer months of June and July are the warmest, with June seeing average highs of 36°C and July maintaining averages around 18°C. As autumn sets in, temperatures decline, particularly in September and October, where early autumn coolness starts to take hold, averaging 12°C and 6°C. By November and December, the chill returns, concluding the cycle with cold temperatures that can drop back down to -27°C. Overall, the climate of Leningradskaya Oblast reveals a remarkable annual temperature variation, dictated by its continental setting.
Kirovsk and Shlissel'burg both experience similar temperature ranges, with February minimums dipping to -26°C (-15°F) and June maximums soaring to 35°C (95°F) as detailed in their respective climate links: monthly temperatures in Kirovsk and monthly temperatures in Shlissel'burg. In contrast, Gatchina records a slightly colder minimum of -29°C (-20°F) in February, while also reaching the June maximum of 35°C (95°F), as outlined here: monthly temperatures in Gatchina.
Leningradskaya Oblast experiences a notable variation in precipitation throughout the year, with a gradual increase from winter to summer. January and February see relatively low precipitation levels of 42 mm and 51 mm, respectively, with around 11 to 12 days of rainy weather. As spring emerges, precipitation steadily climbs, reaching 54 mm in April and peaking at 56 mm in May. This gradual rise signals the transition to the wetter summer months, where June and July see substantial rainfall increases, with June totaling 57 mm and July marking an impressive 88 mm across 14 days of rain.
The peak precipitation is observed in August, averaging 106 mm and highlighting it as the wettest month of the year. As summer gives way to autumn, September and October still maintain significant rainfall levels at 73 mm and 81 mm, respectively, although the frequency of rainy days remains high, often ranging from 13 to 15 days. By late autumn and into winter, precipitation decreases but remains notable, with November recording 55 mm and December following closely with 67 mm. This seasonal distribution of rainfall underscores the region's characteristic climatic patterns, with wetter conditions during the summer months and notable precipitation well into the fall.
Leningradskaya Oblast experiences significant fluctuations in sunshine duration throughout the year, with a clear trend of increasing daylight from the depths of winter to the height of summer. January offers a meager 44 hours of sunshine, but as the days grow longer, February sees a substantial increase to 126 hours. March continues this upward trajectory with 252 hours, signaling the arrival of spring. By the time April rolls around, sunshine hours soar to 344, and May further boosts exposure, clocking in at 432 hours, making these months pivotal for the gradual return of light after the dark winter period.
The peak sunshine month occurs in June, when residents bask in a remarkable 474 hours of sunlight, closely followed by July with 461 hours. As summer transitions into autumn, the amount of sunshine begins to wane, dropping to 391 hours in August and continuing its decline through September to 284 hours. By the time winter returns, October offers only 189 hours, and November further reduces this to a mere 93 hours, culminating in December with just 38 hours of sunshine. This seasonal cycle underscores the region's dramatic variations in sunlight, profoundly influencing both the climate and daily life of its inhabitants throughout the year.
The UV Index in Leningradskaya Oblast reveals a clear seasonal pattern that influences outdoor activities and sun safety measures throughout the year. During the winter months of January and February, the UV Index remains low, with a rating of 1 and 2, respectively, allowing for safe sun exposure with a burn time of 45 minutes. As spring approaches, the index begins to rise, reaching 3 in March and 4 in April, transitioning the exposure category to moderate where a shorter burn time of 30 minutes becomes advisable. By May, the UV Index escalates to 5, indicating increased sun intensity as longer days continue.
Summer sees the highest UV exposure levels, with values peaking at 7 in both June and July, categorized as high risk and shortening permissible sun exposure to just 25 minutes. In August, the index slightly declines to 6, but remains in the high category, necessitating precautions for outdoor enthusiasts. As autumn sets in, the UV Index decreases again, dropping to 4 in September and further declining to 2 in October and 1 in the late months, mirroring the patterns seen in winter. This seasonal fluctuation highlights the importance of monitoring UV levels for safe outdoor activities in Leningradskaya Oblast.
UV Risk Categories
Daylight duration in Leningradskaya Oblast exhibits a pronounced seasonal variation, reflecting the region's high latitude. In the depths of winter, particularly in January and December, daylight is scarce, with only 6 and 5 hours respectively. As February rolls in, there is a gradual increase to 9 hours, signaling the beginning of the transition to longer days. This trend continues through March, with 11 hours of daylight, and rapidly accelerates into spring, where by April there are 14 hours of sunshine, further enhancing the daily light experienced.
As summer arrives, May boasts up to 17 hours of daylight, peaking in June with an impressive 18 hours of sunshine, creating a vibrant atmosphere and encouraging outdoor activities. July follows closely with 17 hours, while August sees a gradual reduction to 15 hours as summer wanes. The amount of daylight begins to decline more sharply in September and October, dropping to 12 hours and 10 hours respectively. Ultimately, by November, only 7 hours of daylight are available before the cycle begins anew in the darker winter months. This significant fluctuation in daylight duration impacts both the lifestyle and ecosystem in Leningradskaya Oblast throughout the year.
Gatchina, located in the Russian Federation, experiences a continental climate characterized by cold winters and mild summers. January and February boast frigid temperatures, with averages around -4°C (24°F) and maximums only reaching up to 8°C (46°F). As spring arrives, temperatures gradually increase, peaking in July with an average of 17°C (64°F). Precipitation is heaviest in the summer months, with July and August seeing over 100 mm (4.0 in) of rain, while sunshine hours are most abundant in May and June. For more detailed information, visit Gatchina climate.
Kirovsk experiences a subarctic climate with harsh winters and mild summers. January and February are the coldest months, with average temperatures around -4°C (24°F), while July sees warmer average temperatures of 18°C (65°F). Precipitation peaks in summer, particularly in July and August, receiving up to 106 mm (4.2 in) per month. Sunshine is abundant from late spring through summer, with May and June enjoying over 400 hours of sunshine. For more details, visit the Kirovsk climate.
Pulkovo, Russian Federation, experiences a continental climate characterized by cold winters and mild summers. January sees temperatures ranging from -15°C to 5°C, while July offers a warmer range of 11°C to 28°C. Precipitation is heaviest in late summer and early fall, with August averaging 137 mm, and sunshine peaks in May and June, reaching up to 478 hours. The annual variation in temperature and precipitation contributes to a dynamic climate, making Pulkovo an intriguing location for weather patterns. For more detailed information, visit Pulkovo climate.
The climate in Shlissel'burg, Russia, is characterized by long, cold winters and short, warm summers. January and February see temperatures plummeting to as low as -26°C (-15°F), while July enjoys an average of 18°C (65°F). Precipitation varies throughout the year, peaking in July and August with over 100 mm, making these months quite humid. Sunshine hours also fluctuate significantly, with the most sun in June (475 hours) and the least in December (38 hours). For more detailed climate information, visit Shlissel'burg climate.
Staraya Ladoga experiences a continental climate characterized by stark seasonal variations. Winters are cold, with January temperatures dropping to a minimum of -30°C (-22°F) and averaging around -5°C (23°F), while summers can be warm, reaching maximums of up to 35°C (96°F) in June. Precipitation is highest during the summer months, peaking at 102 mm (4.0 in) in both July and August, contributing to a lush environment. The region enjoys long daylight hours in the summer, with over 450 hours of sunshine in July, but this dwindles significantly in winter, with only 45 hours in January. For more detailed information, visit Staraya Ladoga climate.
Vyborg, located in the Russian Federation, experiences a continental climate characterized by cold winters and mild summers. January and February see the lowest temperatures, with averages around -4°C (25°F) and -5°C (24°F) respectively, while July records the warmest at an average of 18°C (65°F). Precipitation varies throughout the year, peaking in August at 90 mm (3.5 in), contributing to a lush green summer. Sunshine is most abundant in June and July, with over 480 hours of sunlight, contrasting sharply with the limited light in January. For more information, visit Vyborg climate.
In conclusion, Leningradskaya Oblast's climate is marked by significant seasonal variations that influence temperature, precipitation, sunshine duration, UV Index, and daylight hours. The region experiences harsh winters with minimal sunlight and low temperatures, gradually transitioning to warmer months characterized by prolonged daylight and higher sunshine exposure. The peak summer months not only see the highest UV Index, necessitating sun safety precautions, but also provide the most daylight hours, fostering an active outdoor lifestyle. Understanding these climatic trends is essential for residents and visitors alike, as it enhances awareness of the seasonal changes that define life in this unique region of the Russian Federation.