Weather in Tomsk

Planning your day in Tomsk or simply want to keep up with the whims of the Siberian weather? In this section, you will find up-to-date information on weather conditions, detailed forecasts, and useful charts to help you prepare for any of nature's surprises.

Tomsk is characterized by a sharply continental climate, which means significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year. Prepare for distinct seasons: here you will find frosty, snowy winters and a short but quite warm summer. The transitional seasons – spring and autumn – are distinguished by rapid changes in weather conditions.

Winter in Tomsk typically lasts from November to March, with average January temperatures around -16.4°C, and sometimes significantly lower. Snow cover is stable during this time. Summer, falling on June-August, offers more comfortable weather with average July temperatures around +18.9°C, which is ideal for walks and exploring the city. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are periods with changeable weather, where warm days can be replaced by cool ones.

Precipitation in Tomsk is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, although the amount is small, averaging 1-2 mm per month. The highest number of days with precipitation falls on the autumn and winter months, which means snowfall in winter and rain in the warm season. Overall, the weather in Tomsk requires careful wardrobe planning depending on the season of your trip.

An analysis of average monthly temperatures in Tomsk allows for a detailed tracking of annual temperature trends and highlights the most characteristic periods. The coldest month is traditionally January, when the average monthly temperature drops to -16.4°C. At this time, night frosts can reach -20.0°C, and daytime readings rarely rise above -12.8°C. In contrast, July brings the warmest time of the year with an average temperature of +18.9°C. During the day, the thermometer averages +23.5°C, and nights remain comfortable with temperatures around +14.2°C, which encourages evening outdoor activities.

The summer months in Tomsk, including June, July, and August, offer a pleasantly warm time. Average daily highs during this period range from +21.6°C to +23.5°C, and nightly lows range from +11.8°C to +14.2°C. The winter season, from December to February, typically features harsh frosty weather, where average temperatures are significantly below zero. For example, in February, the average minimum is -17.5°C, and the maximum is -10.1°C, requiring serious warm clothing. Transitional seasons – spring and autumn – are characterized by quite rapid changes in temperature regimes. Thus, in April, the average temperature is already +1.6°C, however, night frosts down to -3.7°C are still possible. In May, it becomes noticeably warmer, with an average temperature of +10.0°C. In autumn, in September, relative warmth persists (+9.4°C), but already in October, the average temperature drops to +3.0°C. Diurnal temperature fluctuations are also noticeable: for example, in May, the difference between the average daily high (+15.5°C) and the nightly low (+4.5°C) reaches about 11°C. In summer, this difference is also significant, amounting to approximately 9-10°C, while in winter it smooths out somewhat but remains perceptible.

In Tomsk, precipitation is distributed throughout the year with slight fluctuations in total volume. The city is not characterized by a distinct rainy season or a dry period in terms of high precipitation amounts. The average monthly precipitation is only 1-2 mm, indicating that intense and prolonged downpours are rare here. Nevertheless, the nature and frequency of precipitation change depending on the season.

Winter months, roughly from November to March, when temperatures consistently stay below zero, bring precipitation primarily in the form of snow. Snow cover is a characteristic feature of the Tomsk winter. During the summer period, from June to August, precipitation falls as rain. The highest average monthly precipitation (2 mm) is observed from June to November. Given the small volumes, these may be short rains or drizzle.

Speaking of precipitation frequency, the highest number of days with it falls on late autumn and early winter. Thus, November is the leader in the number of "wet" days – on average 15 days. Also, precipitation is quite often observed in September and December (about 14 days in each). The lowest number of days with precipitation is usually recorded in April – about 9 days. In other months, the number of days with precipitation ranges from 10 to 13, indicating a fairly regular, though not abundant, occurrence throughout the year.

When packing your suitcase for a trip to Tomsk, it is important to consider its sharply continental climate with distinct seasons. In winter (from November to March), you will need very warm clothing: a down jacket or fur coat designed for severe frosts (down to -20°C and lower), insulated trousers, thermal underwear, wool sweaters, as well as a hat, scarf, and mittens/gloves. Do not forget warm, non-slip footwear. In spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October), the weather is changeable: warm days can be replaced by frosts. Here, the layering principle is ideal: take a mid-season jacket, a sweater or fleece jacket, t-shirts, jeans, as well as a light hat and gloves in case of cooling.

For the summer months (June-August), when the average temperature hovers around +19°C, and can reach +23.5°C during the day, light trousers, shorts, t-shirts, and dresses are suitable. However, evenings can be cool, so a light jacket or sweater will not be amiss. Despite the fact that the total amount of precipitation is small (1-2 mm per month), the number of days with precipitation is quite significant (from 9 to 15 days per month). Therefore, an umbrella or a light raincoat will come in handy at any time of the year. Regardless of the season, comfortable shoes are necessary for walking around the city. In summer, you may also need sunscreen and a hat for sun protection.