Last updated: January 18, 2025
St. Petersburg, located in the Russian Federation, experiences a Dfb climate classification as per the Köppen-Geiger system, reflecting its humid continental characteristics. The city endures a significant temperature range, with winter lows plummeting to a frigid -31°C (-23°F) in February. This contrasts sharply with the summer peak, where temperatures can soar to 35°C (95°F) in June, illustrating the city's notable seasonal variability. The average annual temperature hovers around 6°C (43°F), highlighting the need for adaptability in both daily life and infrastructure to accommodate the shifting climatic conditions throughout the year.
In St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, temperature patterns exhibit a distinct seasonal rhythm, characterized by harsh winters and mild summers. January and February present the coldest conditions, with average temperatures lingering around -4°C (25°F), and frigid minimums dipping to -31°C (-23°F) in February. As spring approaches in March, temperatures gradually increase, with daytime highs reaching 14°C (57°F) by the month’s end. April marks a significant transition, as average temperatures climb to 4°C (39°F), culminating in maximums of 23°C (75°F). The warmth continues into the summer months, peaking in June and July, where highs soar to 35°C (95°F) and 34°C (94°F), respectively, creating a stark contrast to the preceding winter chill. By August, temperatures begin to moderate, signifying the onset of autumn, as September sees a noticeable drop with averages settling around 12°C (54°F). This trend continues into the colder months of October and November, culminating in December with the return of freezing conditions, thus completing the cycle of St. Petersburg's distinct climatic variability.
Saint Petersburg experiences a significant temperature range throughout the year, with a minimum of -28°C (-17°F) in February and a maximum of 33°C (92°F) in June monthly temperatures in Saint Petersburg. Nearby, Petrodvorets has slightly milder extremes, with a minimum of -22°C (-8°F) in February and a maximum of 30°C (86°F) in June monthly temperatures in Petrodvorets. Similarly, Peterhof experiences a minimum of -24°C (-12°F) in February and a maximum of 31°C (88°F) in June monthly temperatures in Peterhof.
St. Petersburg experiences a varied precipitation pattern throughout the year, with a gradual increase as the months progress. January, February, and March receive relatively modest rainfall, with monthly totals of 41 mm (1.6 in), 51 mm (2.0 in), and 53 mm (2.1 in) respectively, alongside around 11 to 12 rainy days. As spring unfolds in April and May, precipitation remains consistent, averaging 54 mm (2.1 in) and 52 mm (2.0 in), maintaining a similar number of rainy days. The onset of summer in June marks the beginning of a significant increase in rainfall, reaching 54 mm (2.1 in), which paves the way for the wetter months ahead.
July and August represent the peak of the rainy season, with precipitation soaring to 88 mm (3.5 in) and 117 mm (4.6 in), accompanied by 13 to 15 rainy days. September sees a slight decrease in rainfall to 75 mm (3.0 in), but the trend of substantial precipitation continues into October with 84 mm (3.3 in), before tapering off slightly in November at 56 mm (2.2 in). By December, precipitation rises again to 69 mm (2.7 in), with a notable increase in the number of rainy days, averaging 16 days. This cyclical trend illustrates the city's climate, characterized by wet conditions during the summer and fall, underscoring the importance of effective water management strategies in St. Petersburg.
In St. Petersburg, sunshine duration follows a pronounced seasonal pattern, reflecting the dramatic contrasts between the long winter nights and the bright, extended days of summer. The year begins with a scant 45 hours of sunshine in January, gradually climbing to 124 hours in February as daylight starts to increase. March experiences a notable uplift, with 252 hours of sunshine, indicating a transition towards spring. As April arrives, sunshine hours expand further, reaching 341 hours, and this trend continues into May, where the city basks in 430 hours of radiant light, signifying the blossoming of spring.
The real highlight emerges during the summer months, especially in June, when St. Petersburg enjoys a substantial 470 hours of sunshine, making it the peak month for sunshine. This is closely followed by July at 460 hours, and although August experiences a decline to 388 hours, it still maintains a robust level of sunlight. As autumn approaches, however, the contrast becomes stark—September sees a decrease to 282 hours, and by October, the city receives only 192 hours of sunlight. The cycle concludes with November at 96 hours and a bleak 38 hours in December, representing one of the lowest points in terms of sunshine—underscoring a seasonal shift that heavily influences daily life and activities in St. Petersburg.
In St. Petersburg, the UV Index demonstrates a clear seasonal variation, reflecting the changing intensity of sunlight throughout the year. During the winter months, January through February, the UV Index remains low, at 1 and 2 respectively, with a burn time of 45 minutes, indicating minimal risk of harm from sun exposure. As spring approaches in March, the index rises to 3, categorizing it as moderate and reducing the burn time to 30 minutes. April and May see a continuation of this trend, with an index of 4 and 5—still moderate—before the summer months introduce heightened UV exposure.
June and July mark the peak of UV intensity in St. Petersburg, with a high UV Index of 7, prompting a burn time of just 25 minutes for unprotected skin. August sees a slight decrease to 6, but remains in the high category with the same burn time. As the season transitions back to autumn, the UV Index falls to 4 in September and further diminishes to 2 in October, followed by a return to low values of 1 in November and December. This seasonal fluctuation highlights the importance of sun protection during the vibrant summer months, while the lower index values in winter create less concern for UV-related health risks.
UV Risk Categories
Daylight duration in St. Petersburg exemplifies the stark seasonal contrasts that characterize the region's climate. In January, residents experience only 6 hours of daylight, a time when the sun rises late and sets early, enveloping the city in longer winter nights. As February arrives, daylight increases to 9 hours, gradually hinting at the impending arrival of spring. This upward trend continues into March with 11 hours and surges further during April when daylight reaches 14 hours. By May, the days grow even longer, providing 17 hours of precious sunlight, and setting the stage for the vibrant summer period.
The pinnacle of daylight occurs in June, when St. Petersburg enjoys a remarkable 18 hours of daylight, allowing for extensive outdoor activities and a unique experience of the Midnight Sun. Following the peak, July maintains 17 hours of daylight, while August sees a slight reduction to 15 hours as the city begins to transition towards autumn. September still offers a generous 12 hours, but the onset of fall brings a swift decline, with daylight dropping to 10 hours in October. The shift becomes even more pronounced in November at 7 hours, and by December, the city is graced with a mere 5 hours of daylight, accentuating the stark cyclic nature of St. Petersburg's seasonal light.
Kronstadt, located in the Russian Federation, experiences a diverse climate characterized by cold winters and mild summers. January temperatures can plunge to a minimum of -16°C (3°F) with average lows around -3°C (26°F), while July sees milder conditions averaging 18°C (65°F) and highs reaching 28°C (83°F). The region receives significant precipitation, particularly in July and August, totaling up to 139 mm (5.5 in) during the latter month. Sunshine is most abundant from May to July, peaking in June with 473 hours. For more information on weather patterns, visit Kronstadt climate.
Peterhof, 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 significant snowfall, while summer months like July and August enjoy warmer conditions, with highs reaching up to 29°C (85°F). Precipitation peaks in late summer, particularly in August with 131 mm (5.1 in), and the region benefits from abundant sunshine in May and June, accumulating over 400 hours. For more details, visit Peterhof climate.
Petrodvorets experiences a continental climate characterized by cold winters and mild summers. January and February witness the lowest temperatures, often plunging below -20°C (-4°F), while July and August reach averages of 18°C to 17°C (65°F to 63°F). Precipitation is relatively consistent throughout the year, with July and August being the wettest months, accumulating up to 139 mm (5.5 in). Notable sunshine hours peak in June, providing up to 473 hours, whereas December sees only 38 hours. For more detailed information, visit Petrodvorets climate.
Repino, located in the Russian Federation, experiences a continental climate characterized by cold winters and mild summers. January and February see the lowest temperatures, with January averaging -4°C (25°F) and February dropping to an average of -5°C (24°F). Precipitation is relatively consistent throughout the year, peaking in August with 111 mm (4.4 in), while July enjoys the most sunshine at 473 hours. The transition to summer brings warmer averages, with May reaching 10°C (50°F) and June averaging 16°C (61°F). For more detailed information, visit Repino climate.
Saint Petersburg experiences a diverse climate characterized by cold winters and mild summers. January and February are the coldest months, with average temperatures around -4°C (25°F) and significant snowfall; precipitation peaks in July and August, accounting for 82 mm and 115 mm respectively. The city receives notable sunshine during late spring and summer, with May to July boasting up to 469 hours of sunlight. As autumn approaches, temperatures gradually decline, and days become shorter, culminating in limited sunshine by December. For more detailed information, visit Saint Petersburg climate.
In conclusion, the climate of St. Petersburg, characterized by its distinct seasonal variations, plays a significant role in shaping the daily lives and activities of its residents. With dramatic shifts in temperature, precipitation, UV index, sunshine duration, and daylight hours throughout the year, the city experiences both the challenges of harsh winters and the joys of bright, extended summer days. Understanding these climatic patterns is essential for effective urban planning, tourism, and public health initiatives in St. Petersburg, ensuring that inhabitants and visitors alike can make the most of each season’s unique offerings. As the city continues to adapt to the evolving aspects of its climate, the deep connection between its weather and urban culture remains a defining feature of this vibrant Russian metropolis.