The climate of Oymyakon
Oymyakon, located in the northeastern part of
Russia, endures the climate condition known as Dfd in the Köppen climate classification. This classification indicates that the region experiences a subarctic climate, characterized by very severe and cold winters, cool summers, and an absence of a dry season. It's a climate type prevalent in areas situated far away from the temperate influence of the ocean, where bitter winters and brief summers are a norm.
A glance at the temperature data reveals a stark contrast between the warmest and coldest months.
January tends to be the chilliest with average high temperatures plummeting to -42.5°C (-44.5°F). Even the warmest month,
July, witnesses a temperature range from 6.2°C (43.2°F) to 22.7°C (72.9°F), only slightly grazing the classification of a warm summer. On the other hand, there is a variation of rainfall patterns. July has the most rainfall with 45mm (1.77"), while
March observes the least with 5mm (0.2"). Further, July also experiences the greatest number of rainy days, 8.7 on average, in direct contrast to March which only typically experiences rainfall on 1.4 days.
Sunshine and daylight hours also reflect this climate's drastic oscillation between seasons. During
June, the region receives over 20 hours of daylight and 10.1 hours of sunshine. Conversely,
December only gets 4.7 hours of daylight and a mere 0.4 hours of sunshine.
The best time to visit Oymyakon
The peak of summer, specifically between
June and
August, may offer the most hospitable conditions for visitors. With temperatures ranging from 4°C (39.2°F) to 22.7°C (72.9°F), the weather is less harsh compared to other months. Rainfall does reach its highest point, but the longevity of daylight, from 19.3 hours to 20.4 hours, and sunshine, from 9.6 hours to 10.1 hours, can offset the increased precipitation. Travelers who are not accustomed to extreme cold may find this period most favorable for visitation.
The worst time to visit Oymyakon
The deeply frigid period from
November through
February is likely the least pleasant time for a visit. Temperatures can drop precipitously to record lows between -48.8°C (-55.8°F) to -42.5°C (-44.5°F). Furthermore, the charm of the winter wonderland is dimmed significantly by deficiency of daylight, which dwindles from 5.8 hours to a mere 4.7 hours. The meager amount of sunshine during these winter months, a paltry 0.4 hours to 1.9 hours, adds to the overall bleakness, and might jolt visitors unfamiliar with such a severe winter climate.
Spring weather in Oymyakon
March through
May, the spring season of
Oymyakon, is a period of transition from extreme winter to milder summer temperatures. During this period, temperatures ascend from -20.8°C (-5.4°F) to 9.1°C (48.4°F), while low temperatures remain freezing, between -40°C (-40°F) to -4.7°C (23.5°F). Though rainfall is relatively low, varying from 5mm (0.2") to 13mm (0.51"), the number of rainfall days increases gradually from 1.4 to 3.2. Daylight hours also significantly increase with the arrival of spring, from 11.8 hours to 18.2 hours, as does the number of sunshine hours, from 7.9 hours to 9.1 hours.
Summer weather in Oymyakon
The short summer in
Oymyakon, from
June till
August reaches a high between 18.2°C (64.8°F) to 22.7°C (72.9°F) while the lowest temperatures remain moderately cold, from 2.6°C (36.7°F) to 6.2°C (43.2°F). Rainfall swells to a peak during this period, with a monthly average of 45mm (1.77") in
July. Correspondingly, the number of rainfall days also increases to as much as 8.7 days. Following the summer solstice, daylight hours moderately decrease, losing about 4 hours over the course of this season.
Autumn weather in Oymyakon
September through
November marks the fall season in
Oymyakon. During this period of transition into the harsh winter, temperatures plunge significantly from 8.9°C (48°F) to -30.7°C (-23.3°F). Additionally, low temperatures already enter the severe cold territory, dropping from -3.7°C (25.3°F) to -39.3°C (-38.7°F). Rainfall reduces from 23mm (0.91") to 12mm (0.47") and the number of rainy days decreases from 5.1 to 4.
Winter weather in Oymyakon
Oymyakon earns its reputation as one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth during winter, from
December through
February. Temperatures spiral downwards during these months, with average highs ranging from -42°C (-43.6°F) to -42.5°C (-44.5°F) and lows from -48.8°C (-55.8°F) to -50°C (-58°F). Rainfall, however, is at its minimum, between 6mm (0.24") to 8mm (0.31"), and daylight scarce, with averages dipping to between 5.8 and 4.7 hours. Unsurprisingly, sunshine hours also decline drastically, ranging from a scant 0.4 hours to a still minimal 1.9 hours.
Weather in January
Oymyakon,
Russia, is revered as one of the coldest inhabited areas on Earth, and
January bears testimony to this. Temperatures plummet to extreme lows, reaching an unprecedented -50°C (-58°F) at night, with the highest temperature in the day struggling to reach beyond -42.5°C (-44.5°F).
Weather in January » Weather in February
Continuing the freezing trend,
February sees a slight increase in temperatures compared to
January as daytime temperatures inch up marginally from -42.5°C (-44.5°F) to -35.4°C (-31.7°F). Its nights record temperatures close to -47.3°C (-53.1°F) making outdoor activities unsuitable.
Weather in February »Weather in March
March begins to mark a gradient change, drawing
Oymyakon out from the harsh clasp of its coldest months. However, the vestiges of winter still resonate as the city records a high day temperature of -20.8°C (-5.4°F) and lows of -40°C (-40°F) in the nights.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April distinguishes itself as an indicator of the declining winter, resulting in a warmer climate change. The chill slightly subsides with temperature ranges that climb from lows of -23.9°C (-11°F) to a comparatively milder high of -3.7°C (25.3°F).
Weather in April » Weather in May
This area of Siberia heralds
May as a transition phase toward slightly warmer weather. An overriding characteristic of May is the modest increase in temperatures, with daytime temperatures climbing to almost 9.1°C (48.4°F). Those chilly nights, too, have a marked softening as temperatures don't go below -4.7°C (23.5°F).
Weather in May »Weather in June
June is the sign of the much-awaited summer season in
Oymyakon, promising greater daylight and warmth. However, while other areas of the world would consider a high of 20°C (68°F) to be moderate, it seems nothing short of a heatwave for this Russian city.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July stands out as the warmest month of the year in
Oymyakon. Residents cherish the need to no longer brave the bone-freezing temperatures, with daily high temperatures reaching up to 22.7°C (72.9°F). The precipitation is at its peak in July with rainfall accumulation at 45mm (1.77"), distributed over 8.7 days.
Weather in July » Weather in August
The warmth of
July begins to wane slightly with the coming of
August. The daily high temperature drops to 18.2°C (64.8°F) as clear signs of the oncoming winter become covertly evident. Rainfall then starts to decline, with a total distribution of about 39mm (1.54") over 7.7 days.
Weather in August »Weather in September
September acts as a harbinger of the oncoming winter in
Oymyakon. With chilling nights that see temperatures as low as -3.7°C (25.3°F), the climate takes a considerable swing from the warmer days of summer. Daytime temperatures decrease noticeably from 18.2°C (64.8°F) in
August to 8.9°C (48°F).
Weather in September »
Weather in October
In stark contrast to the summer months,
October solidifies itself in the countenance of
Oymyakon's impending winter. The climes once again becoming harsh, with residents now having to cope with daytime highs dropping to -9.2°C (15.4°F).
Weather in October »Weather in November
November further pushes
Oymyakon into the stronghold of a chilling winter. Uncompromisingly cold conditions prevail with daytime high temperatures dropping significantly to -30.7°C (-23.3°F). Rainfall quantities taper off to 12mm (0.47") throughout the month, spread across four days.
Weather in November » Weather in December
Come
December, and residents of
Oymyakon are entrenched in battling one of the harshest winters on Earth. The temperature ranges between an intensely cold -48.8°C (-55.8°F) at night and a high of -42°C (-43.6°F) during the day.
Weather in December »