The Russian city of Yakutsk is considered the largest in the field of permafrost. Here the maximum temperature drops in the world are traced, a unique combination of summer heat and freezing frost. The climate of Yakutsk is very contrasting and at the same time severe. The humidity here is very low, but fog often falls. In summer there are white nights, and in winter the sun barely rises above the horizon. And now let's find out in detail what climate is in Yakutsk, consider the weather in the city in different months and conduct a short review.
The geographical position of the city
By size, Yakutsk is the third city in the Far Eastern Federal District after Vladivostok and Khabarovsk. It is located in the middle reaches of the Lena River on its left bank, in the Tuymaada Valley. Yakutsk is located a little north of the 62nd degree north latitude, therefore, practically on the border of the Arctic Circle. For this reason, white nights are considered commonplace in the summer, but in winter the sun is almost invisible. Daylight hours at this time lasts no more than 3 hours. In many ways, the type of climate in Yakutsk was formed due to the natural zone in which it is located - permafrost. In the conditions of a flat topography and remoteness from the oceans, sharp temperature differences characteristic of this region, both seasonal and diurnal, have formed.
Average weather
The climate of Yakutsk, as mentioned above, is sharply continental, and the city is in the temperate zone. The average annual temperature here is -8.8 degrees, the average wind speed is 1.7 m / s, the average humidity is 69%. It is noteworthy that the winter in Yakutsk is long and severe, from October to April, severe frosts are established here and there are never thaws. Summer is very short - from July to August, but at the same time sultry, which is not always typical of the permafrost region. Such a contrasting climate of the city of Yakutsk became the cause of the world's maximum temperature amplitude, which is 102.8 degrees. Since we briefly familiarized ourselves with the weather conditions in this area, we will move on to a more detailed description of each individual season.
Winter
The first serious frost begins with the advent of October. By the middle of the month, thermometers drop to -20 and below. Snow begins to fall, which does not melt, daylight hours are significantly reduced. The winter climate of Yakutsk, starting in December, becomes especially harsh. Frosts reach -35 and even -40, but the amount of precipitation is reduced. In January and February, the air temperature drops to -50 as much as possible, snow ceases to snow. Mostly clear weather is held above the city, but due to the very low temperature, thick fogs are formed. The decrease in the mercury column is observed in the second half of March - to -20 and above, and by the end of April, winter is ending.
Spring
This season within the polar latitudes is extremely short and not blooming at all. The air begins to warm up in early May, first to 0, then the temperature rises to +7 and by the end of the month reaches +12. Sunny day is increasing, snow cover is completely disappearing. In fairness, it is worth noting that after a warming in May, June can bring unpleasant surprises. At the beginning of the calendar summer, the climate of Yakutsk is unstable, so do not be surprised at the “summer snow” and night frosts during this period.
Summer
The hottest period for the city begins at the end of June, when the air temperature rises to +25 on average. Summer in Yakutsk is very hot and dry; precipitation is extremely rare. In recent years, it has been repeatedly recorded that at the height of the day in the city, thermometers showed up to +40 0 Celsius. But it is worth noting that the daily fluctuations here are incredibly high. It is always cool at night, the air cools down to +18 - +20. In addition, we note that frost is not excluded. By mid-August it begins to cool, the amount of precipitation increases, the weather ceases to be clear, sunny and warm.
Fall
In the second half of August, thermometer columns rarely rise above the +15 mark. The street is almost always cloudy, and at night frosts often occur. It’s getting colder every day, fogs appear, and rains fall. By mid-September, the air temperature is already 0 or lower, and at night it can reach -10. By the end of the month, snow often begins to snow, but it still does not form a stable cover. Yakutsk is a city in which there is no such thing as golden autumn. Frosts come quickly and unexpectedly, so the trees are bare almost lightning fast. In October, large frosts begin again, which last until the middle of the calendar spring.
"Demi-season"
For residents of the temperate continental zone, four seasons are familiar, which are the same in duration and have their own unique features. But the climate characteristic of Yakutsk is such that there are no transitional seasons. Spring and autumn are calendar concepts, but in fact they are completely invisible. The fact is that winter frosts, which recede at the end of April, are replaced by a sharp arrival of heat. In just one month, the temperature rises from -5 to an average of +25. At the end of the summer, the situation is similar. In August, sharp night frosts begin, which gradually cool the air and contribute to lowering daytime temperatures. For the same short period of time - in a month the heat turns into severe frost. The air cools quickly, and the earth is covered with a thick layer of snow.
The nature of the Yakut region
This amazing and contrasting city is located in a flat zone in the Tuymaada Valley. In addition to the Lena River, on the left bank of which it is located, there are many lakes nearby: Teploye, Saysary, Taloe, Sergelyakh and Khating-Yuryakh. The soil in the city is mostly sandy, mostly reeds grow near water bodies. Steppe areas are dotted with various herbs and shrubs. Around the city there is a coniferous-deciduous taiga, which is located on slightly hilly ground. It is due to the fact that the terrain here is flat, the sharp continental climate was able to prove itself in all its glory. The air masses are not restrained by the mountains, there are no large salt ponds nearby, in which warm cyclones could form. Yakutsk is a vivid example of climate diversity and incredible weather contrast.