Weather in Rostov-on-Don

Find out what weather awaits you in Rostov-on-Don. This section provides up-to-date information, forecasts, and weather charts to help plan your visit.

The climate in Rostov-on-Don can be characterized as moderately continental. All four seasons are clearly defined here, allowing tourists to choose the most comfortable season for their trip depending on their preferences. Summer in the city is generally hot and sunny, while winter is cool, with average temperatures around zero or below, and potential snowfall.

Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with milder weather. In spring, the temperature rises gradually, reaching comfortable levels in May. Autumn sees a gradual cooling, although September often delights with warm and dry weather. A characteristic feature of the climate in Rostov-on-Don is the relatively low amount of precipitation throughout the year, especially during the summer months when the number of rainy days is minimal.

Thus, travellers should expect significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year. The summer months, especially July and August, offer the highest temperatures and the greatest number of sunny days. Winter months, conversely, require warm clothing. The shoulder seasons can be very pleasant to visit thanks to moderate temperatures and a smaller influx of tourists.

The annual temperature progression in Rostov-on-Don demonstrates significant fluctuations characteristic of a moderately continental climate. The coldest month is traditionally January, when the average temperature is around -1.1°C, and night-time lows can drop to -3.9°C. In contrast, the peak heat occurs in August, where the average temperature reaches 25.0°C, and daytime highs often rise above 30°C, averaging 30.8°C. Spring and autumn are transitional periods with a gradual change in the temperature regime, preparing the city for either summer warmth or winter chill.

The summer months in Rostov-on-Don, especially July (average temperature 24.7°C) and August (25.0°C), are characterized as hot. Daytime temperatures during this period often exceed the +25°C mark, and on the hottest days can reach 30°C and above (average maximum in July is 30.1°C, in August 30.8°C). However, there is a noticeable difference between day and night temperatures. For example, in August, with a daytime high of about 30.8°C, the night temperature drops to an average of 19.3°C, ensuring more comfortable conditions for relaxation in the evening and at night. June is also very warm, with an average temperature of 22.5°C and maximum values up to 27.8°C.

Winter in Rostov-on-Don is cool, with temperatures often dropping below zero. January is the frostiest month with an average temperature of -1.1°C and an average minimum of -3.9°C. It is slightly warmer in February (average temperature 0.2°C, minimum -3.0°C), and in December the average temperature is 1.2°C, with night frosts down to -1.0°C. During the day, the thermometer may rise slightly above zero (for example, in January to 1.7°C, in February to 3.5°C), but nights remain consistently cold. Spring warming is quite rapid: from an average of 4.0°C in March to a comfortable 16.6°C in May. In autumn, gradual cooling occurs: while the average temperature in September still holds at a pleasant level of 19.0°C, by November it drops to 4.5°C.

Rostov-on-Don is characterized by a relatively low total level of precipitation throughout the year. Although there is no distinct rainy season with heavy downpours here, there is noticeable variability in the frequency of precipitation by month. In general, precipitation is predominantly of a light character, and its total monthly amount is small, fluctuating between 1 to 2 mm.

The greatest number of days with precipitation occurs during the winter months. January is the leader in this indicator, averaging 12 days with precipitation. February and December also bring precipitation quite often – about 10 days each. Given the winter temperatures, when average values hover around zero or below, a significant part of this precipitation falls as snow or sleet. However, the total monthly amount of precipitation in these months is about 2 mm.

The summer period, by contrast, is distinguished by the lowest frequency of precipitation. The "driest" months in terms of the number of rainy days are August and September, when precipitation is recorded on only about 4 days per month. July is also characterized by a small number of days with precipitation – approximately 6 days. Summer rains are typically short-lived and not intense, with a total monthly amount of about 1 mm. The spring months (March, April, May) and October occupy an intermediate position: in March and October, about 1 mm of precipitation falls over 9 and 7 days respectively, and in April and May – about 2 mm over 9 days.

When planning a trip to Rostov-on-Don, it is important to consider the distinct change of seasons, which directly affects wardrobe choices. Regardless of the time of year, comfortable shoes for walking will be your best companion. The principle of layering clothing is especially relevant for the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn), when the weather can be changeable, as well as for the winter months, allowing you to adapt to the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors. A small folding umbrella or raincoat may come in handy, although the total amount of precipitation in the city is small.

In summer, especially in June, July, and August, when the average temperature rises to +22°C...+25°C, and daytime highs often exceed +30°C, you will need light, breathable clothing made of natural fabrics. Do not forget sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Winter (December-February) requires a completely different approach: average temperatures hover around 0°C, dropping below zero at night. A warm jacket or coat, hat, scarf, gloves, and insulated waterproof shoes are mandatory, as precipitation during this period often falls as snow.

In spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), the weather in Rostov-on-Don is the most variable. In early spring (March) it is still quite cool (average temperature around +4°C), so a demi-season jacket, sweaters, and closed shoes will be useful. By May it becomes significantly warmer (average +16.6°C). September often pleases with warm weather (around +19°C), but by November it gets colder (average +4.5°C). For these seasons, jeans or thick trousers, T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, light sweaters or fleece jackets, as well as a windbreaker or light jacket that can be taken off or put on depending on the weather, are ideal. Although the number of days with precipitation is small (from 4 to 9 per month), a light umbrella will not be amiss.