Climate

The weather in St. Petersburg is almost the same as in most cities of Northern Europe. Mild and damp climate, moderate summer, frequent rains and mists - all of this the city owes to the close-by Atlantic Ocean.

	Season	Begins	Ends	Average t°
	Winter	December 5	March 16	-8,1 °C
	Spring	March 17	June 1	+3,5 °C
	Summer	June 2	September 11	+16,1 °C
	Autumn	September 12	December 4	+4,9 °C

Winter is rather mild but extremely changeable. Rare periods of frost as low as -25 °C give way to relatively warm days sometimes with abundant snowfalls. In wintertime one should be wearing warm and practical clothing and footwear that can stand heavy slush. And obviously, don't forget to bring a hat and a pair of warm gloves. Despite some certain inconveniences that winter brings with it, you should not refuse yourself the pleasure of going for a nice stroll in the city where trees buildings and rivers are beautifully decorated with snow and ice. Even if you start feeling cold, you can always visit some cafe on your way and a cup of coffee or a glass of wine will bring you back to life.

Spring steals into St. Petersburg unnoticed. Little by little days appear when temperature never drops below 0 °C. The snow melts, the sound of dripping water can be heard everywhere, especially in April, birds appear. May is the nicest month in spring. It starts with ice moving from Neva and Ladoga Lake into the sea. By the end of May the trees become covered with leaves, grass appears on the lawns and spring thunderstorms wash all the dust away. The most beautiful time of year - the White Nights - begin.

Summer is warm with short periods of heat that rarely last for more than a week. Rain and thunder are not infrequent so you should think of an umbrella or an anorak. A T-shirt and a light jacket and a pair of trainers or summer shoes will be an ideal solution for your summer stay in St. Petersburg. A pair of sunglasses and a baseball cap can make a nice addition to your wardrobe. The best time in summer comes in June. The period is called the White Nights as the night only lasts for some 30 or 50 minutes. Make sure you take a walk along Neva embankment in the night when the bridges are raised - you will never forget the splendid sight.

Autumn is rather warm in September and it is very much like the summer. It is not until October that temperature starts to drop and by the end of the month first frosts start to fall. The city looks gorgeous on a sunny day when bright yellow and orange leaves have not fallen from the trees yet. Coming to St. Petersburg in autumn don't forget your umbrella and a pair of waterproof boots.