What season is october: When does autumn start? – Met Office

When does Autumn start? Defining seasons

Seasons are fundamental to how we understand the UK climate and the environment around us, but how do we define when they start and end?

In meteorological terms, it’s fairly simple – each season is a three month period. So, Summer is June, July and August; Autumn is September, October and November, and so on.

Of course, this is fairly arbitrary, but provides a consistent basis for the Met Office, as the holder of the UK’s national weather and climate records, to calculate long term averages and provide seasonal climate summaries from year to year.

Mike Kendon, of the Met Office National Climate Information Centre, said: “Defining seasons in this way means we can compare weather from one season or year to the next. It also has the advantage that each season is roughly the same length, neatly dividing the year into four quarters.

“Looking at longer timescales, our recently updated 30-year averages can show us how ‘normal’ seasons are changing over time, giving us clues about trends in the UK’s climate.

Astronomical definitions of seasons also exist – using the Earth’s position relative to the Sun as the cue for separating one season from another via equinoxes and solstices.

So the Summer begins around the Summer Solstice, when daylight hours are at their longest (around 21 June), and ends around the Equinox, when days and nights are of equal length (around 21 September, on 22 September this year). Thus astronomical Autumn begins, continuing until the Winter Solstice, when daylight hours are at their shortest (around 21 December), and so on. Astronomical seasons therefore are about three weeks behind the meteorological ones.

One thing both methods have in common is that the dates are fixed by the calendar and don’t take into account what is actually happening in nature, which is after all how most of us understand the notion of seasons.

So comes the third method, which is based on phenology – the process of noting the signs of change in plant and animal behaviour.

In this distinction, Autumn may be deemed to have arrived at the first tinting of oak or beech trees, the appearance of ripe sloes or elderberries and the arrival of winter migrant birds such as redwings and fieldfares. Winter begins when native deciduous trees are bare, and so on.

For more than a decade The Woodland Trust has been using observations from thousands of members of the public to build a phenological record for the UK, called Nature’s Calendar. This builds on records going back over much longer periods of time.

It aims to give a comprehensive view of how nature defines the seasons in a record which takes into account how weather in individual years or longer term changes to climate may affect natural signs from one year to the next. As such it is a more fluid, natural definition of our seasons.

Dr Kate Lewthwaite, project manager for Nature’s Calendar for the Woodland Trust, said: “Taken individually the observations of what’s going on in nature provide only anecdotal evidence, but taken as a whole and analysed with temperature data, they offer a powerful insight into local and national impacts of environmental and climatic change.

“For example, our data shows that, on average, native trees are producing ripe fruit 18 days earlier than a decade ago, with a potential consequence being that animals’ food reserves could become depleted earlier in the winter. In contrast, leaf fall, indicating the end of the growing season, is often much later nowadays than in the past.”

Ultimately, however you choose to define them, it is weather and climate which govern the perception of the passing of seasons for plants and animals, including us humans.

So, like our weather, the exact timing of when we ‘feel’ one season is over and a new one has begun will always be liable to change. Whereas, in contrast, the meteorological seasons always remain fixed by calendar month.

Between the Met Office’s climate records and our forecasts up to a month ahead, you can stay up-to-date with what’s going on with the UK’s weather and climate.

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This entry was posted in Met Office News and tagged Autumn, Climate of the United Kingdom, Equinox, Met Office, nature’s calendar, September, spring, summer, Summer Solstice, Winter, Winter Solstice, Woodland Trust. Bookmark the permalink.

Seasons of the Year in the United States

The four seasons of the year in the United States – spring, summer, fall, and winter – are what determines weather, hours of daylight, and ecology throughout the year.

The current season in the United States right now is Fall.

In 2022, these are the astronomical dates and times for the start of each season:

  • Spring: Begins on March 20, at 3:33 P.M. and ends on June 21
  • Summer: Begins on June 21, at 10:14 A.M. and ends on September 23
  • Fall: Begins on September 23, at 2:04 A.M. and ends on December 21
  • Winter: Begins on December 21, at 9:48 P.M. and ends on March 20, 2023

The times correspond to the Eastern Time (ET) time zone and will vary in different states. 

Though they do not comprise the entirety of each month, these are the meteorological seasons:

  • Spring months: March, April, May
  • Summer months: June, July, August
  • Fall months: September, October, November
  • Winter months: December, January, February

Because the United States is located on the Northern Hemisphere of the planet, the rule of thumb is that the months of spring through to summer have the hottest temperatures, while the weather gets colder during fall and winter.  

However, this is a vast country with a few different regions, which means that there are three climatic zones in America. States such as California, Florida, Arizona, and Texas are usually warm all year round. On the other hand, places like New York, New England, Washington, and the Midwest have more distinct seasonal changes throughout the year. 

Spring

Spring starts on March 20 or 21 and lasts until June 20 or 21

The first day of spring happens on the spring equinox, which marks the astronomical beginning of spring. Meteorologically, spring begins on March 1st. 

This season comes after winter and before summer, is characterized by the temperatures warming and the days getting longer. It is during spring that plants start blossoming for the summer. 

Learn more about Spring Equinox (Start of Spring). 

Summer

Summer lasts from June 20 or 21 until September 22 or 23, which places it between spring and fall.  

This is the warmest of the months, where temperatures soar, and when there are more hours of daylight, as the days are longer than the evenings. In the United States, some regions have warm, humid weather, while in other areas the days are very hot and arid. 

The first day of summer is marked by the summer solstice, which corresponds to the astronomical beginning of summer.

Fall

Fall begins on September 22 or 23 and ends on December 21 or 22

During this season, temperatures start dropping, and the nights start getting longer again. Also known as autumn, in the United States fall gets its name because of the leaves on the trees that begin changing colors and falling. 

In some states, the landscape totally changes during fall, with greenery being replaced by bright reds and oranges. 

Lear more about Autumnal Equinox (Start of Fall).

Winter

Winter starts on December 21 or 22, lasting through to March 20 or 21, falling right between fall and spring.  

In winter the weather gets colder, with some regions getting temperatures as low as 3 °F, and the nights become longer than the days. Many of the Northern states get snow throughout the season. 

The official beginning of winter falls on the winter solstice.

The Seasons of the Year Explained

There is an idea that summer is hotter than the other seasons because it happens when the Earth is closer to the sun, and that when the Earth is furthest from the sun, that’s when winter occurs. This is false!

What controls the seasons is the Earth’s axis, an imaginary pole that crosses the planet from top to bottom, on which the Earth spins, making one complete spin each day. 

This axis is tilted, and when the Earth orbits around the sun throughout the year, different parts of the planet receive the Sun’s direct sunlight. This means that when the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun, it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and when it is tilted away from the sun, that’s when it doesn’t get as much light and heat, which causes winter and fall.  

Astronomical vs Meteorological First Days of the Seasons

Because most people observe the astronomical start of the seasons, not many know that there is also a meteorological beginning of the seasons. 

The difference is simple, the astronomical seasons go by the Earth’s position in relation to the Sun, while meteorological seasons follow the temperature cycle. 

As an example, in 2021, the summer’s astronomical started is June 20, but its meteorological started is June 1. Here are the meteorological seasons of the year:

  • Spring: March 1st to May 30th
  • Summer months: June 1st to August 31st
  • Fall months: September 1st to November 30th
  • Winter months: December 1st to February 28th or 29th

Other seasonal Articles you may find interesting:

  • First Day of Spring
  • Start of Summer
  • Start of Fall

When is the best time to go to Kamchatka: tips for tourists

Traveling to Kamchatka is one of the most unique events that happen in life! This lost land of volcanoes and brown bears, geysers and thermal springs, the ocean coast and beautiful valleys will not leave indifferent even the most sophisticated tourists. At the same time, there is something to see in Kamchatka at any time of the year. Well, in order for the trip to be 100% successful, it needs to be properly planned. We tell you when it is better to go to Kamchatka and what to do on the peninsula in each of the seasons.

When is the best time to go to Kamchatka: holiday seasons

The seasons on the Kamchatka peninsula are slightly shifted from the usual calendar:

  • winter in Kamchatka lasts from November to March;
  • summer comes to the peninsula in July-August, and Indian summer comes in September;
  • spring in Kamchatka lasts from April to June;
  • autumn also takes a short period of time – from the end of September to October inclusive.

The high season in Kamchatka falls on the summer months, but even in winter the demand for travel does not drop much. This is understandable, in the warm and cold seasons the peninsula is equally beautiful. Therefore, choose a season for a holiday in Kamchatka, based only on your preferences for weather and activities. But in the off-season (spring and autumn) it is not recommended to go to Kamchatka at all. In the local autumn, the weather is not at all happy, it rains, it snows, strong winds blow, and many roads simply wash out or drift. Spring comes to Kamchatka quite late. Yes, and spring warming is quickly replaced by almost January frosts and a real snowstorm.

Unfortunately, a holiday in Kamchatka in the off-season can completely overshadow the impressions of the peninsula. Therefore, it is best to go to Kamchatka in winter or summer, when the weather is more stable. But remember that the climate in most of Kamchatka is maritime monsoon. Winds often blow here and the weather can change significantly during the day. So make sure you bring warm clothes with you. Well, now let’s see what you can do on the peninsula at different times of the year!

Winter in Kamchatka

Winter in most of Kamchatka lasts 5 months. There is a lot of snow at this time, and a stable snow cover is kept on the entire peninsula. The snowiest months are November and December, and the coldest is January. During the cold season, the average air temperature is around -10°C. Although in Kamchatka there are often both unexpected cold snaps and sharp warming. During a thaw, the air temperature can even rise to positive values.

Despite the fact that there is a decent layer of snow on the entire territory of the peninsula, which reaches 2-2.5 meters at the foot of mountains and volcanoes, there is almost no snow on the Pacific coast. Strong winds simply blow it off the coastal areas. In addition, the ocean does not freeze in winter. Therefore, here you can see the famous beaches with black volcanic sand or go in for winter surfing.

If you are planning to visit Kamchatka in winter, it is best to travel in February-March. At this time, the air temperature becomes slightly warmer (-5-7°C), and the length of daylight hours increases. And in principle, the peninsula pleases with good weather, clear skies and winter sun. Well, the snow cover is still dense and is not even going to melt. This means that your chances of seeing all the beauty of winter Kamchatka increase many times over.

What to do in Kamchatka in winter?

If you are going to Kamchatka in winter, don’t think that you will only have to look at snow-covered volcanoes and admire the non-freezing waters of the Pacific Ocean. A winter trip to Kamchatka is such a kaleidoscope of active and unique entertainment that it’s hard to even imagine. However, we have collected all these amazing adventures and prepared a tour “Snow Volcanoes” , which includes:

  • snowmobile and snowmobile sleigh trips to the most beautiful places of the peninsula;
  • bathing in the thermal springs “Zelenovskiye Ozerki” in the open air;
  • dog sledding;
  • ski holidays in resorts in the vicinity of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky;
  • winter surfing on the famous Khalaktyrsky black sand beach on the Pacific coast;
  • helicopter flights to the most famous volcanoes of Kamchatka – Gorely and Mutnovsky, as well as to the UNESCO world heritage site – Khodutka thermal springs;
  • excursions to museums and to the main sights of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

In addition, no winter trip to Kamchatka is complete without a visit to the fish market and souvenir shops. Although we know that Kamchatka fish is the best souvenir from the peninsula. And during the trip, we will definitely have a picnic on the Pacific coast with a view of the beautiful volcanoes of the Avacha group! But do not worry, all this time we will live in a comfortable hotel in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

Ski holidays in Kamchatka

Ski holidays in Kamchatka cannot be compared with any other winter resorts not only in our country, but also in the world! And the point here is not only that you will ski down the slopes of active and extinct volcanoes, while admiring the blue expanse of non-freezing bays of the Pacific Ocean. Alpine skiing and snowboarding in Kamchatka refers to ski freeride, that is, downhill on virgin snow.

This means that by going with us on tour “At the peak of adrenaline” , you will visit the most remote and untouched places of the peninsula. There are no equipped mountain slopes, ski lifts and comfortable resorts. In virgin lands skiing, everything depends only on you: good physical fitness, skiing experience, the ability to navigate virgin slopes and make your own route on all equipped tracks. For more information on how to prepare for a freeride read the article on link .

What awaits you if you decide to go with us on a freeride tour to Kamchatka?

  • two-day skiing on virgin lands with a drop off to the beginning of the descent on snowmobiles;
  • two days of heli-skiing, when you arrive by helicopter at the beginning of the descent. As a rule, the most inaccessible slopes are chosen for heli-skiing;
  • on non-flying heli-skiing days, you can go backcountry (when you walk to the beginning of the descent) or ski touring (climb to the top also on foot, but this time on skis).

In your free time, you can see the main sights of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, go on snowmobiles to the capes and volcanoes of the peninsula, do winter surfing on the Pacific Ocean or ride on a team of sled dogs. In general, a freeride tour to Kamchatka will combine both extreme riding on virgin lands, as well as sightseeing and active recreation. We are sure you will remember this trip for a long time!

Summer in Kamchatka

Summer in Kamchatka differs significantly from the average in Russia. First, it comes in July and lasts until September. In June, it is still not so warm here, and the average daily temperature is kept at + 8 ° C. Therefore, this month is referred to as the Kamchatka spring. Secondly, September in Kamchatka is considered to be a summer month. At this time, the average air temperature reaches +10°C. Well, what kind of summer is this with a temperature of + 8 + 10 ° C, you say? But there is no heat and you can admire the local landscapes in comfortable conditions, conquer volcanoes and, to keep warm, bathe in thermal springs.

In the hottest months (July and August), the air temperature in Kamchatka rises to an average of +11+13°C. True, there are also days when the air warms up to + 20 ° C, but for the whole summer there will be no more than a couple of weeks. All because of the maritime monsoon climate, which brings wind and precipitation to the peninsula. However, if you are going to Kamchatka during the summer months, you don’t have to worry about rain. The summer months in Kamchatka are referred to as the dry season. So in July-August, precipitation here is much less than in other months of the year.

Another feature of summer weather in Kamchatka is frequent fogs. But this is even good, because Kamchatka hills and volcanoes, covered with a thick veil of fog, like cotton wool, acquire a mysterious and even more beautiful look. And again, even if you travel to Kamchatka during the summer months, it’s best to bring enough warm clothing with you.

What to do in Kamchatka in summer?

In the summer in Kamchatka there are so many activities, excursions and entertainment that it is quite difficult to fit them into one trip! But no matter what tour from RussiaDiscovery you go to Kamchatka, during your vacation you will definitely see the volcanoes of the peninsula and the Pacific coast, swim in thermal springs and watch the wild nature of Kamchatka: brown bears, dolphins, killer whales and hundreds of species of birds.

For example, all these attractions are included in our summer tour “Bears and other 7 wonders of Kamchatka”. Such a trip is ideal for a family vacation and the first trip to this amazing region. Moreover, the program was created specifically to get acquainted with the wild fauna of the peninsula and, of course, will be of interest to both children and adults.

And now let’s figure out what kind of Kamchatka miracles that you will see on our journey:

  • bear fishing on Lake Dvukhyurtochnoye, one of the largest water bodies on the peninsula where red fish come to spawn. However, unlike the Kuril Lake, popular with tourists, not so many people come here.
  • Avacha Bay, on which Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky stands. During a boat trip along it, you can watch dolphins and killer whales both in coastal waters and in the open ocean.
  • Valley of Geysers, where you can optionally go with a helicopter tour, as well as walk along the caldera of the Uzon volcano.
  • Kamchatka volcanoes – Avachinsky and Koryaksky, a walk along their slopes and spurs.
  • rest and bathing in thermal springs.
  • ethnographic trip to the ancient Koryak settlement Esso and sightseeing in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

As you can see, the trip “Bears and other 7 wonders of Kamchatka” perfectly combines active and recreational recreation, ethnographic excursions and real ecological tourism. During the 10 days that you will spend in Kamchatka, you will see so many wonders of nature that even after the end of the holiday it will still be difficult to believe in the reality of such a trip! It’s good that you will have amazing photos as a keepsake, which will confirm that this trip is not a dream.

Climbing volcanoes and outdoor activities in Kamchatka in the summer

Are you not satisfied with observing the wildlife of the peninsula and sightseeing trips to the ancient villages and main cities of the region? Would you like to go on a real active journey to not only see the beautiful places of Kamchatka, but also improve your physical fitness? Then join one of our active tours “Classic Kamchatka” or “Kamchatka Kaleidoscope”.

Both trips cover almost the entire peninsula from north to south and do not require serious physical preparation. However, there will not be a day without active recreation:

  • trips to the most famous volcanoes of Kamchatka and climbing Mutnovsky and Gorely volcanoes;
  • trekking through the Dead Forest, destroyed by the eruption of 1975, as well as through the valley with miniature volcanoes 100-200 meters high;
  • bathing in the Malkinsky and Paratunsky springs;
  • Helicopter excursions to the Valley of Geysers and Kurile Lake, where brown bears come to fish.

Tested for yourself: find out how the Classic Kamchatka route goes

Isn’t the program impressive? And you can do all this in 2 weeks! At the same time, you will spend most of the nights in a tent camp, cooking dinner on a fire and spending the night under the starry sky of Kamchatka. During the trip, we will set up tent camps in different places. Therefore, you can spend the night at the foot of the highest and most beautiful volcanoes of Kamchatka, in forest glades along the river and near thermal springs. We promise you will have unforgettable dreams in these places!

See even more trips to Kamchatka. If you need help choosing, call +7 (495) 104-64-36 or write to [email protected]

Climate of Kamchatka. Choosing the best travel season.

Home \ About Kamchatka \ Climate of Kamchatka

The climate of Kamchatka is maritime monsoon, more severe in the west than in the east. In the southern part of the sea, in the center and in the north it is temperate continental. The average temperature in February is -15°C in the west, -11°C in the east, and -16°C in the central part; in August, respectively, 12, 12.5, and 16°C. The annual rainfall is from 600 to 1100 mm. The highest parts of the mountains are modern glaciers. The total area of ​​glaciation is 866 km2 (on individual peaks of the Sredinny Range and on the slopes of the active volcanoes Shiveluch, Klyuchevskaya Sopka, etc. ).

The difference between the amount of precipitation, between the driest and wettest months is 88 mm. The average temperature varies throughout the year by 20.7 °C. Useful tips about reading the climate table: For each month, you will find data on precipitation (mm), average, maximum and minimum temperatures (in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit). The meaning of the first line: (1) January (2) February (3) March (4) April (5) May, (6) June (7) July (8) August (9) September, (10) October (11) November (12) December.

The peculiarities of the climate are determined by the terrain, the long length of the peninsula from north to south, the proximity of vast water spaces and the movement of cyclones. In cold weather, they move from the Pacific Ocean adjacent to Japan, and in warm weather, from the Khabarovsk Territory. Thus, during most of the year, areas of low pressure predominate. In this regard, the average pressure throughout Kamchatka is slightly below normal – 757–758 mm Hg. The greatest pressure is in the summer: June – September, the least – in the winter: November – January.

On the continents, the distribution of pressure is reversed: high pressure prevails in winter, and low pressure in summer.

One of the peculiarities of Kamchatka’s climate is strong winds, hurricanes and storms. They are observed in all districts of the region, but most often in the south of the peninsula. In the winter months, for example, every day in some area winds blowing with a force of over 6 points – 10-12 m / s. The longest duration of these winds is in Petropavlovsk and at Cape Lopatka.

A significant amount of precipitation is the second feature. Like strong winds, it is associated with cyclonic activity. Precipitation during the year falls unevenly: in the warm season – from April to October – more than in the cold. Their number increases from 350 mm in the northwest to 1200 mm in the southeast.

The third feature is the frequent variability of the weather in all seasons of the year, especially in winter. In the central regions of the peninsula, individual winter months can be almost 10 °C colder or warmer than usual. On the coasts, in some years, the average temperature in winter can be almost 15 °C higher than the long-term average. A sharp warming or cooling can occur not only from winter to winter, from summer to summer, but also during the day, and often during the day. Changes in air temperature per day can reach several tens of degrees. Yes, at 19In 1956, during the day, from January 7 to 8, it increased by 27 ° C in Korf, and by 36 ° C in Milkovo. An increase in air temperature by 6–10 °C is a very common phenomenon. Such sharp fluctuations are associated with the passage of cyclones, in the front of which south winds are observed, and in the rear – north. The faster the cyclone moves, the faster the temperature changes. It happens that it rises by 10 ° C in half an hour. Sharp transitions are also very frequent: in winter – from clear, calm weather to precipitation and storms; in summer – from clear, calm weather in the morning to fogs in the afternoon.

The fourth feature is a long snowy winter and negative average annual temperatures over most of the territory, as well as a short cloudy summer.

That’s why, our dear tourists, we can’t say for sure which period of travel is better for you. The weather is so changeable that in one year July will be dry, warm, in another – August, in the third – September. Therefore, we recommend focusing on tours that do not include overnight stays in tents.

Seasons

Winter. Its harbinger is the snow that fell on the tops of the hills. Gradually, the white veil of snow descends lower and lower to the foot, and finally winter comes into its own. Snow falls early and a stable snow cover forms almost immediately. This time of the year almost throughout the entire peninsula lasts about five months, and in the far north it reaches seven. If we compare it with the winter of the central regions of the Far East, then it is somewhat milder. In the cold season, northerly winds blow on the coasts, and up the valley in the central regions.

The temperature regime in different parts of Kamchatka is not the same. The air temperature during this period of the year is on average minus 20–30 °С in the north and about 6 °С in the south.

The coldest month in the Kamchatka river valley and in the north of the region is January; on the coast – February.

Kamchatka winter is full of snow and snowstorms. In the foothills, the snow reaches almost 2.5 meters. In coastal areas, hills and sandy spits of the western coast, it is often blown away by the wind and blown into the sea, exposing the soil. In most areas of the region, the snow cover lasts for almost half a year.

Less cloudy in winter. Thaws are frequent, often during snowstorms. Thaws occur throughout the peninsula. Sometimes in January or February the air temperature rises to plus 3–5 °С. Then it gets cold again.

Spring is late, cold and short, lasting one and a half to two months. It comes in April, in the northern regions of the region – in May. Characterized by unstable weather, frequent frosts. It is characterized by returns of cold weather. At this time of the year, gardens bloom in Ukraine, and blizzards can still rage in Kamchatka.

The course of spring is influenced by the seas washing Kamchatka. Ice in the coastal part of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and the Bering Sea occurs during May, and in some bays and bays it stays until June. During this period of time, it is cold on the coasts, and only at the beginning of June the air temperature rises to plus 5 °C. In the central part of the peninsula, spring is warmer.

Summer is shorter than winter and characterized by overcast, rainy weather. In some areas, it lasts about two months, especially in the northern, mainland part of the region and in the mountains. The longest summer – from 4 to 5 months – is in the south of the peninsula. The frost-free period is a good criterion for determining the length of summer.

In summer, southerly winds blow on the coasts, fogs are frequent. A milky-white veil envelops the coasts and islands. The warm season accounts for the main number of days with fogs: from 10 to 40 – in the central regions, somewhat more – on the eastern and western coasts. A special place is occupied by Cape Lopatka, where in the warm season there are more than 100 days with fog.

Average temperatures in many areas do not exceed plus 10 °C. Few hot days. The days when the air temperature even briefly rises above 20 ° C, there are no more than a week on the coast. In areas far from the sea, the number of such days increases dramatically. In the valley of the Kamchatka River, there are from 35 to 55, in the northern part of the region – 20–30. The highest temperatures were recorded in the valley of the Kamchatka River – plus 37 °C. The warmest month on the coasts is August, in the central part of the peninsula – July.

Warm days alternate with rainy ones. More precipitation falls in warm weather than in cold weather. Thunderclouds rarely form, as there are few hot days in Kamchatka. With high humidity, there is not enough heat to form thunderclouds. Only in the central regions there are 2-3 thunderstorms every year, in others they happen once every few years. Thunderstorms are very rare in winter, but are still observed on Bering Island and the coasts.

Autumn is the best season in the region. In the north, it begins in August, in the south – in October. It is characterized by heat returns. Quiet sunny weather sets in for a short time. In early autumn, in the Kamchatka River valley and in the northern regions, the average daily air temperature reaches plus 8–10 °С, on the coasts – 5–7 °С, and on some days it rises to 15–20 °С. On such days, the bright blue of the sky, transparent air, hills and forests painted in various colors give the Kamchatka autumn a unique charm. But every day the temperature drops. For one and a half to two months, it falls below zero.

Climatic regions
The great peculiarity of the region’s climate is connected with its physical and geographical position. Difficult topography leads to climate differences in closely spaced areas. With the distance from the sea coast, its influence quickly weakens. Thus, in Yelizovo, located at a distance of about 30 kilometers from Petropavlovsk, winter is 3–4 °C colder, and summer is the same as in the city. A similar example can be given for the west coast. In Ust-Bolsheretsk, located on the coast of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, the average monthly temperature in December and January is 2 °C higher than in a point 50 kilometers away from it. In summer (June, July) the opposite is true: in Ust-Bolsheretsk it is 2°C colder.

Several large climatic regions can be distinguished on the territory of the region: the western, eastern, the Kamchatka river valley, the northern and mountainous regions of the Sredinny and Vostochny ranges.

West Coast . The climate of this region has features of the sea. Winter is long – from 4.5 to 6.5 months, with an average temperature of about minus 10 ° C. With the distance from the coast to the interior of the peninsula, it decreases. Snowstorms are typical for winter. In most places on the west coast, on average, a blizzard occurs 20–30 times during the winter, and in some places – 70. Summer lasts from 2 to 4 months: cool, with a temperature of 8–9°C. Frequent fogs, high clouds, high humidity. Precipitation for the year falls from 300 to 500 mm, most of which falls in the summer.

East coast. The climate of the east coast is similar to that of the west coast, but warmer. This is explained by the fact that cyclones pass here more often, which carry relatively warm air from the Pacific Ocean. Winter lasts 4-5 months. At this time of the year, on the east coast, the average air temperature is minus 7–9 °С. In various places on the east coast during the winter there are from 40 to 70 days with a blizzard. Summer is quite long – about 4 months. It is warmer than in the west. The average summer temperature is plus 10–11 °C. Along the coast, rainfall ranges from 400 mm in the north to 1200 mm in the southeast. Most storm and hurricane winds occur in the southeast.

Valley of the Kamchatka River. In this area the climate is more continental compared to the coasts. Winter is cold, lasts about 5 months. The average temperature of the coldest month is minus 20°C, and the lowest is 57°C. Summer is quite warm. It continues for about 3 months. Its average temperature is plus 12 °C. The highest temperatures for Kamchatka (plus 37 °С) are noted here. During the year, 400-500 mm of precipitation falls in the valley. Most of them are in the summer.

The most favorable climatic conditions for the cultivation of agricultural crops and the development of dairy farming are in the valley of the Kamchatka River, since it is protected by mountain ranges from the action of cold winds.

Northern region (mainland region). In the far north, as in the valley of the Kamchatka River, the climate is continental. It is distinguished by a more severe winter, which lasts about 7 months. The average air temperature is about minus 30 °C, in some years it drops to minus 64 °C. Summer is short – about 2 months, the average temperature is above plus 10 ° C, but sometimes there are hot days when the thermometer shows above 30 ° C. The amount of precipitation is 300–400 mm per year. In the northern regions, climatic conditions are favorable for the development of reindeer breeding.

Mountainous areas. Here the climate is the most severe, the winter is long. Strong winds are frequent. Precipitation falls annually from 600 to 800 mm. On the slopes facing the sea, there are much more of them than on those facing the valley of the Kamchatka River. Frequent fogs.

  • Published according to the collection “Kamchatskaya Oblast.

Articles and essays on geography” (P-K, 1966). A.P. Katsyka. Climate

Diagrams taken from https://ru.climate-data. org/location/1810/

OUR WEATHER SUMMARY (published also on our VKontakte page):

This is an average of weather and snow conditions in Kamchatka.
NOVEMBER – JANUARY | Short days. Snow is everywhere on the volcanoes.

JANUARY – APRIL | Snow in the city, on the volcanoes. There are lifts at the ski bases. Frequent blizzards. Schools are canceling classes to the delight of students.

MAY | There is no snow in the city. Skiing is closed, but you can go classic skiing near the volcanoes. There is a lot of snow on the way to the volcanoes. Mutnovskoe direction, Vachkazhtsy, Avacha in the snow. Snowmobile delivery. Available: Khalaktyrsky beach, city, Malki. It is possible to fly to the Valley of Geysers with a group of 18 people or more without landing on the Uzon, because the Uzon is in the snow.

JUNE | Tolbachik – little snow. active melting. Mosquitoes appear. There is a lot of snow on the way to the volcanoes. Mutnovskoye direction, Vachkazhtsy, Avacha in the snow, delivery by snowmobiles, high passable jeeps from the end of June. Available: Khalaktyrsky beach, city, Malki, Tolbachik. It is possible to fly to the Valley of Geysers with a group of 18 people or more without landing on the Uzon, because the Uzon is in the snow. Salmon appears in the rivers. Chinook spawning.

JULY | Active snowmelt near volcanoes. There is still a lot of snow on the way to the Mutnovskaya group of volcanoes. Delivery by high-passable transport from the end of June. Became available for vehicles: Vachkazhtsy, Avacha. It is possible to fly to the Valley of Geysers with a group of 18 people and landing on Uzon, bears appear on the Kuril Lake in the first ten days of June, then flights to Kurilskoye, Ksudach, Khodutka begin. Spawning of sockeye salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon.

AUGUST | Active snow melt near Mutnovsky volcano. In the caldera of the Gorely volcano towards the Mutnovsky volcano, a lake of melted snow in late July – early August. Flights are subject to weather conditions. There are a limited number of helicopters on tourist routes, the rest serve the social sphere and the fishing industry. Many who signed up late for helicopter tours do not get seats in helicopters in mid-August. Strawberries, honeysuckle, blueberries, mushrooms appear on the market. Spawning coho salmon.

SEP | The beginning of the month. The volcanoes have snowed!!! At the end of September, it can lie down again at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level (Gorely caldera, Tolbachik from the 20th of September in the snow)! Flights are subject to weather conditions. There are enough helicopters on tourist routes. Gold autumn. Warmer than in the Central Black Earth part of Russia. Rose hips, mountain ash, shiksha, klopovka appear on the market. There are already few fish, autumn coho spawning.

OCTOBER-DECEMBER | Leaves fall, snow falls.

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