Weather in Chita

Planning a trip to Chita or just want to know what weather awaits you? In this section, you will find the most up-to-date information on weather conditions, as well as detailed forecasts and useful charts.

The climate in Chita is characterised as sharply continental. This means the city experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, with very cold winters and warm, sometimes hot, summers. Be prepared for large differences between day and night temperatures, especially during the transitional seasons.

In Chita, four seasons are clearly defined. Winter here is long and frosty, with average January temperatures around -23°C, but often dropping below -29°C. Snow cover is usually stable. Spring arrives late and is distinguished by rapid weather changes. Summer is relatively short but warm, with average July temperatures around +19°C and maximums reaching +24°C. Autumn is also short, with gradually lowering temperatures and the first frosts.

Precipitation in Chita is distributed unevenly. The greatest amount falls during the summer months, especially in July and August, often in the form of downpours. In winter, there is very little precipitation. Overall, the region is characterised by low humidity for most of the year.

The climate of Chita is characterised by a significant annual temperature range, which is typical for a sharply continental climate. The coldest month is traditionally January, when the average air temperature is about -23.0°C, and nightly lows can drop to -29.2°C. Daytime highs in January rarely exceed -16.8°C. On the other end of the spectrum is July – the warmest month, with an average temperature of +19.0°C. In July, daytime temperatures often reach +24.4°C, ensuring comfortable conditions for summer activities.

The summer period in Chita, covering June, July, and August, brings warmth. Average maximum temperatures in June are +22.6°C, in July – +24.4°C, and in August – +21.2°C. Summer nights remain quite cool, with temperatures from +10.1°C in June to +13.5°C in July. Winter, conversely, is long and frosty. From December to February, sub-zero temperatures prevail. Besides January, February is also notable for severe frosts with an average temperature of -18.9°C (minimum -26.5°C, maximum -11.4°C), while December figures average -20.8°C (minimum -25.9°C, maximum -15.8°C).

One of the characteristic features of the weather in Chita is substantial diurnal temperature fluctuations throughout the year. The difference between day and night temperatures often reaches 10-15°C. The transitional seasons – spring and autumn – are distinguished by rapid changes in weather conditions. For example, in April the average temperature is +1.6°C, but night frosts down to -4.6°C are still possible, while during the day the air can warm up to +7.8°C. In October, the average temperature hovers around 0.0°C, with nightly lows down to -5.2°C and daily highs around +5.3°C, signaling the approach of winter.

Precipitation distribution in Chita has a pronounced seasonal character, clearly dividing the year into a prolonged dry period and a wetter summer. Most of the annual precipitation falls specifically during the warm months, while winter is notable for significant dryness.

The greatest amount of precipitation falls during the summer period. The wettest months are traditionally considered July and August, when an average of 3 mm of precipitation is recorded in each. July also sees the maximum number of days with precipitation – about 13. June and August are slightly behind, counting approximately 11 wet days each and about 2-3 mm of precipitation. In May and September, rainfall is also noticeable, amounting to 1-2 mm across 7-9 rainy days. Given the positive average monthly temperatures during this period, precipitation falls primarily as rain.

Winter in Chita, on the other hand, is characterised by an extremely small amount of precipitation. From October to March, its volume is minimal. In months such as January, February, March, October, November, and December, the average precipitation figure is just 0 mm. Despite this, 1-2 "wet" days may be recorded during these cold months. At sub-zero temperatures, this most likely indicates very light snow or frost formation that does not reach the 1 mm measurement threshold. Thus, the winter months, as well as late autumn, are the driest of the year. April marks a gradual increase in precipitation to 1 mm, occurring over 3 wet days, foreshadowing the transition to the wetter season.

When planning a trip to Chita, it is important to remember its sharply continental climate, which causes significant temperature changes not only between seasons but also within a single day. Therefore, the main principle when packing your suitcase is layering. This will allow you to easily adapt to changing conditions by adding or removing layers of clothing. Regardless of the time of year, comfortable shoes for walking around the city will be your best companion, as there is much to see on foot in Chita.

In winter (from December to February), severe frosts set in Chita, with average temperatures around -20°C and lower, sometimes dropping to -29°C. You will need very warm clothing: a high-quality down jacket or fur coat designed for extremely low temperatures, a set of thermal underwear, warm sweaters (wool or fleece), insulated trousers, a hat that covers your ears well, a bulky scarf, and very warm mittens or gloves. Insulated waterproof shoes with thick non-slip soles are mandatory. In summer (from June to August), the weather in Chita is warm, with daytime temperatures often rising to +20°C...+24°C. During this period, light clothing will come in handy: t-shirts, shorts, sundresses, light trousers. However, evenings can be cool, so don't forget to grab a light jacket, windbreaker, or sweater. July and August are the rainiest months, so an umbrella or compact raincoat will be very useful. Also, do not forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for sun protection.

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) in Chita are transitional seasons with very unstable weather. In March and November, it is still winter-cold, and warm items similar to a winter wardrobe will be required, though perhaps slightly lighter. In April and October, temperatures fluctuate around zero; both frosts and relatively warm days are possible. May and September can delight with warm daytime weather, but nights remain cool. For these months, layered clothing is ideal: t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, jumpers, fleece jackets, a mid-season jacket (preferably windproof and waterproof), as well as a hat, gloves, and scarf, especially for early spring and late autumn. Be prepared for rapid weather changes throughout the day.