Weather in Arkhangelsk

Find out the current weather in Arkhangelsk right now! Below are detailed particulars, forecasts, and charts to help you plan your day.

The climate of Arkhangelsk can be described as subarctic, with features of maritime influence due to the proximity of the White Sea. This means the city experiences significant seasonal temperature fluctuations, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. When preparing for a trip, it is worth considering the harsh northern character of the weather.

There are four distinct seasons in Arkhangelsk. Winter here is harsh and prolonged, usually from December to March, with average temperatures around -7°C to -9.5°C, though frosts can be even more severe. Summer, falling between June and August, is relatively short and cool, with average temperatures ranging from +12.8°C to +16.8°C. Spring and autumn are transitional periods characterized by changeable weather and a gradual rise or fall in temperature.

A specific feature of the Arkhangelsk climate is the relatively small amount of precipitation throughout the year (1-3 mm per month), however, the number of days with precipitation is quite high, especially in autumn and winter (from 12 to 18 days per month). This means that precipitation, whether rain or snow, is more likely to be drizzling or not intense, but can occur frequently. The warmest months are July and August, while the coldest are January and February.

Arkhangelsk sees a significant annual temperature range, which is typical for its subarctic climate. The coldest month of the year is February, when the average air temperature drops to -9.5°C, with average minimums reaching -11.9°C, and maximums rarely rising above -7.1°C. Conversely, the warmest month is considered to be July: the average temperature during this period is +16.8°C, with daytime highs averaging up to +20.7°C and nighttime lows around +13.0°C.

The winter season in Arkhangelsk, which usually lasts from December to March, is characterized by stable freezing weather. Monthly average temperatures during this period range from -9.0°C in January and -9.5°C in February to -5.6°C in March, which already foreshadows the imminent arrival of spring. A feature of the winter months is the relatively small difference between day and night temperatures. For example, in January, the daily spread is about 4.4°C (from -11.2°C to -6.8°C), creating a sensation of consistently cold weather.

The summer months, from June to August, bring pleasant but not hot warmth to Arkhangelsk. The average temperature in June is +12.8°C, in July it is +16.8°C, and in August it is +14.9°C. During this period, daily temperature fluctuations become more pronounced compared to winter. Thus, in July, the daytime temperature can reach an average of +20.7°C, while at night it drops to +13.0°C, indicating a noticeable cooling in the evening and at night. The transitional seasons – spring (April-May) and autumn (September-November) – demonstrate a rapid change in temperature regimes: from almost zero average temperatures in April (-0.1°C) to a moderate +10.3°C in September, followed by a gradual decrease to winter values.

Precipitation in Arkhangelsk falls throughout the year; however, its intensity and frequency vary depending on the season. Although the city is not characterized by a distinctly dry season, as precipitation still occurs regularly even in months with minimal volume, periods of higher and lower humidity can be distinguished. On average, monthly precipitation ranges from 1 mm to 3 mm.

The winter period, covering the months from November to March, and often April as well, brings precipitation primarily in the form of snow. Despite the total amount of precipitation in these months being small (1-2 mm), the number of snowy days can be significant – for example, in January, November, and December, there are about 15 days with precipitation. This indicates frequent but, as a rule, light snowfalls. With the arrival of warmth, usually from May to September, precipitation falls in the form of rain. Summer rains are also not distinguished by large volume but can be frequent.

The greatest amount of precipitation (3 mm) and the maximum frequency of its occurrence are observed in autumn. October stands out as the wettest month: 3 mm of precipitation falls here, and it is recorded on average for 18 days. July, August, and September also receive 3 mm of precipitation each, with precipitation falling for about 15 days in September and 13 days in July. The "driest" months can be considered the spring ones. In particular, May is characterized by the lowest number of days with precipitation (about 10 days) and their minimum volume (1 mm). February, March, and April are also distinguished by a small amount of precipitation (1 mm), with the number of days ranging from 11 to 12.

When planning a trip to Arkhangelsk, it is important to choose your wardrobe correctly, taking into account its northern location and changeable weather. The key principle is layering, as the temperature can change noticeably even within a single day. Be sure to bring comfortable waterproof shoes for walking around the city, as precipitation here is a frequent phenomenon, albeit not always abundant. Do not forget an umbrella or a light waterproof jacket with a hood, especially if your trip falls in autumn or summer when rains occur regularly.

In winter, from December to March, real frosts reign in Arkhangelsk: the average temperature ranges from -5°C to -10°C, and sometimes drops even lower. You will need very warm clothes: thermal underwear, wool or fleece sweaters, insulated trousers, a down jacket or warm parka (preferably windproof and water-resistant), as well as a hat, scarf, and mittens or gloves. Summer (June-August) here is short and cool, with an average temperature of +13°C to +17°C. It can be pleasantly warm during the day, up to +20°C, but evenings can be chilly. Therefore, even in summer, it is worth keeping a sweater or fleece jacket, a light jacket, and closed shoes with you, in addition to t-shirts and light trousers. Sunscreen may be useful on clear summer days, despite the northern position of the city.

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-November) are transitional periods with very changeable weather. In April, snow may still lie on the ground and the average temperature is close to zero, whereas in May it is already warmer. September may delight with relatively mild weather, but October and November bring cooling, frequent precipitation (October is the "wettest" month by the number of days with precipitation), and damp wind. For these seasons, layered clothing is ideal: t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, warm sweaters, a mid-season jacket (wind and water protection will be a big plus), as well as a hat and gloves, especially closer to winter. The main thing is to be ready for any whims of the northern weather!