Moscow features a humid continental climate with long, cold, snowy winters and short, warm summers. Temperatures swing dramatically between seasons, with winter lows often below freezing and summer highs frequently reaching the mid-20s °C. Rain and snow are common, and daylight hours vary greatly, making Moscow a city of striking seasonal contrasts.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Moscow’s climate is defined by its inland location and continental influences, resulting in four distinct seasons. Winters (November to March) are long, cold, and snowy, with average highs from –3°C to –7°C and lows often dipping below –10°C. Snow typically begins in October and can last into April, with snow cover persisting for several months and annual snowfall reaching 150–200 cm. The coldest periods can see temperatures plunge below –20°C, and occasional cold snaps have brought record lows near –40°C. Daylight is scarce in winter, with December seeing as little as 18–20 hours of sunshine for the entire month, and humidity is high, making the cold feel even more intense. Winds are generally moderate, averaging 11–13 km/h, but can feel biting in winter.
Spring (March to May) brings a gradual thaw, with temperatures rising from –1°C in March to 15°C by May. Snow melts by late March or early April, and parks begin to bloom. Summers (June to August) are short but warm, with average highs of 22–26°C and occasional heatwaves pushing temperatures above 30°C. July is the hottest and wettest month, with heavy thunderstorms and monthly rainfall around 80–115 mm. Humidity is moderate, and the city enjoys long daylight hours – up to 250–270 hours of sunshine in June and July. Nights can remain cool, and sudden weather changes are common. Autumn (September to early November) is brief, with temperatures dropping from 16°C in September to near freezing by November. Rain increases, and the first snowfalls often arrive by late October. Annual precipitation is moderate (around 700 mm), with rain and snow fairly evenly distributed, though summer and autumn are the wettest periods. The growing season lasts about 156 days, from early May to early October.
Moscow’s dramatic shifts in temperature, daylight, and precipitation create a city of vivid seasonal moods – from the snowy romance of winter to the lively, green parks of summer. The city’s climate supports a range of seasonal activities, from winter sports and festive markets to summer festivals and city beaches.
| Average climate data for Moscow, Russia | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -4 | -4 | 3 | 11 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 16 | 9 | 1 | -3 | 24 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -9 | -10 | -4 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 3 | -3 | -8 | -10 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 53 | 41 | 35 | 38 | 50 | 80 | 86 | 83 | 68 | 72 | 54 | 52 | 710 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 1 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 106 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 18 | 15 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 17 | 72 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 84 | 81 | 74 | 66 | 63 | 69 | 74 | 77 | 82 | 80 | 85 | 85 | 77 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Average UV index | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
The best time to visit Moscow is from late May to September, when temperatures are warm (18–26°C), daylight is long, and the city is vibrant with festivals, green parks, and outdoor events. This period offers the most comfortable weather for sightseeing, though July and August can be humid and crowded.
The least favourable time to visit is winter (December to February), when temperatures often remain well below freezing, snow and ice are persistent, and daylight hours are shortest. While the snowy scenery is beautiful, outdoor activities can be challenging due to the cold, wind, and limited sunshine.
Moscow has a humid continental climate with long, cold winters and short, warm summers. Temperatures swing from –10°C or lower in winter to highs above 25°C in summer, with snow and rain common throughout the year.
Summer temperatures in Moscow typically reach 22–26°C, but heatwaves can push highs above 30°C. Nights are cooler, and thunderstorms are frequent, especially in July and August.
Yes, snowfall is common from October to April, with snow cover lasting several months. Annual snowfall averages 150–200 cm, and the city is often transformed into a winter wonderland.
Rainfall is moderate and fairly even year-round, but summer (especially July and August) and autumn are the wettest periods, with frequent thunderstorms and heavy showers.
Moscow receives about 1,700–1,800 hours of sunshine annually. Winter months are very dark, with only 18–44 hours of sunshine in December and January, while summer months enjoy up to 270 hours per month.
Pack thermal, waterproof layers and insulated boots for winter. In spring and autumn, bring layers and a rain jacket. For summer, pack light clothes, sun protection, and an umbrella for sudden storms.
Yes, Moscow has several city beaches and recreational lakes open from June to September. Water temperatures are cool, but swimming and sunbathing are popular summer activities among locals.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (24.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (-4 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 9.6 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (14.3 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (-9.8 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 2.1 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (86.2 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is March (34.5 mm). Over the whole year there are 709.7 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is September (15 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (0.8 days). Over the whole year there are 105.7 days of rain on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (18.1 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are June, July and August (0 days). Over the whole year there are 72.4 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is December (85.2 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is May (63.3 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 76.7 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 17 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 7 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 8.9 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 0 h). Over the whole year there are 4.3 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 0). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.8.
