Weather in Irkutsk

Stay informed about the current weather conditions in Irkutsk. In this section, you will find fresh data, detailed forecasts, and visual charts to ensure your stay is comfortable.

Irkutsk is characterised by a strongly continental climate. This means the city experiences significant temperature contrasts throughout the year: from very cold, frosty winters to warm, and sometimes hot, summers. Travellers should be prepared for a distinct change of seasons, each possessing its own unique charm and requiring appropriate preparation.

Winter in Irkutsk is long and harsh, with average temperatures in January and December around -19°C and -17.6°C respectively, while precipitation during the winter months is minimal. Spring arrives quite quickly, bringing noticeable warming in April and May. Summer, spanning from June to August, offers residents and guests comfortable warmth, with an average July temperature of around +19.6°C. It is the summer months that are the wettest, with the highest number of rainy days. Autumn arrives rapidly, and by October, the approach of winter is already felt with a significant drop in temperature.

Overall, the weather in Irkutsk is distinguished by large annual temperature amplitudes and a clear division into seasons. In summer, it is sunny and warm here, which encourages walking and exploring the surroundings, while in winter it is frosty and predominantly dry, creating the atmosphere of a true Siberian fairytale. When planning a trip, be sure to take into account the seasonal features of the climate to make your journey as comfortable as possible.

The climate of Irkutsk demonstrates an impressive annual temperature range, typical of strongly continental regions. The coldest month is traditionally January: the average temperature at this time is -19.3°C, while night frosts can drop on average to -24.2°C, and the daytime temperature rarely rises above -14.3°C. The peak of heat occurs in July, when the average monthly temperature reaches +19.6°C. At the height of summer, daytime maximums average a comfortable +24.8°C, and nights remain relatively warm with a temperature of around +14.5°C.

The summer months in Irkutsk, from June to August, are characterised by predominantly warm weather. In June, the average temperature settles at +17.4°C, with daytime values reaching +23.4°C and nighttime values dropping to +11.5°C. August, concluding the summer season, brings an average temperature of +17.5°C, with daytime warming up to +22.3°C and nighttime cooling to +12.6°C. In general, the Irkutsk summer can be described as moderately warm, with sunny days ideally suited for active leisure, and noticeably cooler evenings.

The winter period in Irkutsk is distinguished by severe and prolonged frosts. Besides January, December with an average temperature of -17.6°C (from -22.1°C at night to -13.1°C during the day) and February with an average temperature of -16.5°C (from -22.9°C at night to -10.2°C during the day) confirm the reputation of the Siberian winter. During these months, the thermometer during the day often stays significantly below -10°C, and night frosts frequently exceed -20°C. Irkutsk is also characterised by noticeable diurnal temperature variations throughout the year: the difference between daytime maximums and nighttime minimums regularly ranges from 9 to 13 degrees Celsius, which requires attention when choosing clothes, especially during the transitional seasons.

In Irkutsk, there is a clearly defined seasonality in the distribution of precipitation. Winter months are characterised as the driest, while summer brings the bulk of the annual precipitation. Despite the presence of "wet days" all year round, the amount of precipitation varies greatly.

The greatest amount of precipitation falls during the summer period. July and August are the wettest months, when an average of 3 mm of precipitation is registered, with 13 and 12 rainy days respectively. In June and September, a noticeable amount of precipitation also falls (2 mm each), with the number of days with precipitation being 12 and 11 days. During this period, precipitation falls mainly in the form of rain; heavy downpours are sometimes possible.

Winter in Irkutsk, on the contrary, is very dry. From November to March, the average monthly precipitation is 0 mm, indicating an extremely insignificant amount. Nevertheless, even in these months, 3 to 5 days with precipitation are recorded, which, given the low temperatures (from -5.5°C in March to -19.3°C in January), falls in the form of snow. Thus, January and February are the driest months of the year, both in terms of the amount of precipitation and the number of days with it. The transitional seasons, April and October, show a moderate amount of precipitation (1 mm) and about 6 wet days, while precipitation can be mixed – rain and wet snow.

When planning a trip to Irkutsk, it is important to consider its strongly continental climate with significant annual temperature fluctuations. In winter, from December to February, when average temperatures drop to -16°C – -19°C, and night frosts can be even stronger, you will need very warm clothing. Be sure to take thermal underwear, warm sweaters or fleece tops, a down jacket or a warm winter coat designed for severe frosts, insulated trousers, as well as a hat, scarf, and mittens or gloves. Do not forget warm, waterproof shoes with non-slip soles, as despite the small amount of precipitation, snow does occur.

The summer months, especially July with an average temperature of around +19.6°C and daytime maximums up to +24.8°C, will delight you with warmth. For this time of year, light clothing is suitable: t-shirts, shorts, dresses. However, evenings can be cool, so a light jumper or jacket will not be amiss. Considering that summer is the wettest season with 12-13 rainy days per month, grab an umbrella or a light raincoat. Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses will also be useful. Regardless of the season, comfortable walking shoes are your best companion for exploring the city and its surroundings.

Spring and autumn in Irkutsk are transitional periods with rapidly changing weather. In March, it can still be quite cold, while in May it is already summer-warm. Similarly, September often pleases with comfortable weather, while in October-November the approach of winter is already felt. The best strategy for these seasons is layering in clothing. Take items that can be combined: t-shirts, long-sleeved tops, sweaters, a mid-season jacket (possibly windproof and waterproof), as well as comfortable trousers. This will allow you to easily adapt to any whims of the weather.