Weather in Barnaul

Are you planning a trip or simply interested in the weather in the city of Barnaul? In this section, you will find the most up-to-date information: current weather conditions, detailed forecasts, and visual charts that will help you be ready for whatever nature has in store.

The climate in Barnaul, located in Russia, is characterized as continental. This means that all four seasons are clearly expressed here, with large temperature contrasts between winter and summer. Be prepared for significant fluctuations: from freezing winters to warm, and sometimes hot, summers.

Winters in Barnaul are quite severe, with average monthly temperatures significantly below zero, especially in January and December. Spring arrives gradually, with noticeable warming in April and May. Summer, especially July, delights with warm days when the temperature can reach a comfortable +25°C. Autumn brings gradual cooling, preparing the city for the new winter season. One of the features of Barnaul's climate is the relatively small amount of precipitation throughout the year, although the number of days with precipitation may vary.

The annual temperature trend in Barnaul demonstrates a classic picture of a continental climate with distinct seasons. The coldest month is traditionally January, when the average temperature drops to -15.4°C, and night-time lows can reach -19.5°C. Conversely, the peak of heat occurs in July, with an average temperature of +20.2°C and daytime highs often exceeding +25°C. Thus, the annual temperature amplitude is quite significant, which requires travellers to carefully choose their wardrobe depending on the season of the trip.

The summer months in Barnaul – June, July, and August – gift residents and guests of the city with truly warm weather. Average daytime temperatures during this period range from +23.9°C (in August) to +25.4°C (in July), creating comfortable conditions for walks and active outdoor recreation. Nights also remain relatively warm, with minimum temperatures ranging from +12.8°C to +15.1°C. The difference between day and night temperatures in summer is about 10-11 degrees, which is typical for a continental climate and provides pleasant coolness after a hot day.

Winter in Barnaul is characterized by persistent frosts. From December to February, average temperatures stay significantly below zero. In January, the coldest month, the average temperature is -15.4°C, while daytime highs rarely rise above -11.3°C, and night-time lows drop on average to -19.5°C. December and February are somewhat "milder", but still frosty: average values are around -13.4°C and -13.1°C respectively. Daily temperature fluctuations in winter are less pronounced than in summer, amounting to approximately 7-9 degrees. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with rapid changes in temperature regimes: from minus values in March (average -4.7°C) and November (average -6.1°C) to plus values in April-May and September-October.

When planning a trip to Barnaul, it is useful to know that the city is not characterized by heavy precipitation throughout the year. The total volume of falling moisture is quite moderate, however, the frequency of precipitation can vary noticeably from month to month. In Barnaul, there is no distinct rainy or dry season in terms of total rainfall, but one can distinguish periods with more frequent, albeit mostly light, precipitation.

In the cold season, which in Barnaul usually lasts from November to March, precipitation falls mainly in the form of snow, as average temperatures during this period are negative. The monthly volume of precipitation in winter is small: December and January receive about 1 mm of moisture, while it snows on average for 12 and 10 days respectively. November also brings precipitation in the form of snow or wet snow (about 2 mm over 12 days). The "driest" months, both in terms of rainfall amount (1 mm) and the number of days with it (7 days), are February and April. This means that in winter and the cool off-season, one can expect frequent but usually light snowfall or drizzle.

In the warm season, from May to October, precipitation in Barnaul falls mainly in the form of rain. The volume of precipitation in these months is slightly higher, reaching 2 mm per month (from May to November). The greatest number of days with precipitation in the year (12 days each) falls on September, October, November, and December. At the same time, summer months such as July and August (with 11 days of precipitation each), as well as June (10 days), are also characterized by fairly frequent rains. In October, the first snowfalls are already possible. In general, even during periods with the highest number of days with precipitation, the precipitation itself in Barnaul is most often moderate or light in nature.

When packing a suitcase for a trip to Barnaul, it is important to consider its sharply continental climate with distinct seasons. In winter (from December to February, as well as covering November and March), severe frosts await you, with average temperatures around -13°C to -15°C, and sometimes below -19°C. Therefore, during this period, very warm clothes are necessary: thermal underwear, wool or fleece sweaters, insulated trousers, a down jacket or a warm winter coat capable of protecting against wind and frost, as well as a hat, scarf, mittens or gloves, and waterproof warm shoes. Despite the small amount of precipitation, it snows quite often, so the water-repellent properties of outerwear and footwear will be useful.

Summer in Barnaul (June-August) is warm, with average temperatures around +18°C to +20°C and daytime highs reaching +25°C. For this time of year, light clothing is suitable: T-shirts, shorts, dresses, sandals. However, evenings can be cool (+13°C to +15°C), so do not forget a light jacket or sweater. Sunscreen and a hat will also come in handy. In the off-season (April-May and September-October), the weather is changeable. The temperature can fluctuate from 0°C to +18°C. Here, the principle of layering fits perfectly: a waterproof jacket, a fleece or sweater, comfortable trousers, and closed shoes. An umbrella or raincoat will be useful all year round, since, despite the low total amount of precipitation, rainy or snowy days happen regularly (from 7 to 12 days a month).

Regardless of the season, comfortable shoes will always be useful for walking around Barnaul. Given the frequent, though not heavy, precipitation, especially in the autumn-winter and spring periods, choose shoes with good soles and, if possible, water-repellent properties. A small backpack for day excursions, where you can put a bottle of water, a snack, an umbrella, and an extra layer of clothing, will also make your journey more comfortable.