Climate of Belarus

Climate of Belarus

Where is the country of Belarus located? Belarus (Belarus) is one of the easternmost countries in Europe. The republic is surrounded by the Baltic States, Russia, Ukraine and Poland. Belarus has a moderate continental climate, type Dfb according to the Köppen-Geiger climate system. Belarus is relatively flat and largely covered with forests (about 40 percent). The highest point in the country is Dzyarzhynskaya Hara (Дзяржынская гара), with an elevation of 345 meters above sea level. This hill is part of the Belarusian Ridge, which stretches from the capital Minsk westwards to Poland and northwards to about one hundred and twenty kilometers above Minsk.

Warm summers

Belarus has fairly warm summers, with an average daytime temperature of between twenty and twenty-five degrees Celsius. Summer arrives relatively early because in the spring there is relatively little influence from a cooling effect by nearby seas. After a relatively cool March, April is still a transitional month, after which May is quite sunny and warm. The average maximum temperature rises from 2 to 4 degrees in mid-March to an average of 18 to 21 degrees at the end of May. After May, the average temperature rises only gradually and the chance of rain increases. The summer months in Belarus are not only the hottest months, but also the wettest of the year. In June, July and August there is an average of 70 to 85 millimeters of precipitation per month.

Rain and snow

On an annual basis, between more than five hundred (south and north) and just under seven hundred millimeters of precipitation are measured in Belarus. Belarus has no pronounced wet or dry seasons, although the summer months are on average wetter than the other months. In millimeters there is the least precipitation in the winter season, but because the majority of this falls in the form of snow, this does not seem so. Belarus has no less than 75 to 125 days of snow per year. During the period December to March (and sometimes also April) the country is almost continuously covered with a layer of snow. During mild winters this period can be shorter or even interrupted by a short period of thaw.

Winter in Belarus

On an annual basis, between more than five hundred (south and north) and just under seven hundred millimeters of precipitation are measured in Belarus. Belarus has no pronounced wet or dry seasons, although the summer months are on average wetter than the other months. In millimeters there is the least precipitation in the winter season, but because the majority of this falls in the form of snow, this does not appear to be the case. Belarus has no less than 75 to 125 days of snow per year. During the period December to March (and sometimes also April) the country is almost continuously covered with a layer of snow. During mild winters this period can be shorter or even interrupted by a short period of thaw.

Climate figures

The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).

Maximum temperature Minimum temperature Hours of sunshine per day Days of rainfall per month
January -4℃ -10℃ 2 18
February -2℃ -9℃ 3 15
March 3℃ -5℃ 4 15
April 11℃ 2℃ 6 13
May 19℃ 8℃ 8 13
June 21℃ 11℃ 9 14
July 22℃ 13℃ 8 15
August 22℃ 12℃ 8 13
September 17℃ 8℃ 6 14
October 10℃ 3℃ 3 14
November 3℃ -1℃ 1 18
December -1℃ -6℃ 1 21

Best time to visit Belarus

Do you want to know when is the best time to travel to Belarus? You can determine the best time to travel to a destination based on the weather and climate. In addition, there are other factors that are not directly related to the weather and that can influence the best travel periods for a travel destination. Think, for example, of holidays or festive periods, which makes traveling more interesting or not, because daily life comes to a standstill as a result. Its location in northeastern Europe means that Belarus has a moderate continental climate. As a result, the country has to deal with four seasons in which there are more extremes than, for example, in the Netherlands. Winters are cool and relatively long. The month of November can be seen as the first winter month and only at the end of March does the winter in Belarus come to an end. After a short spring, the fairly warm summer starts in June. The summer season lasts until August, after which an autumn of two months sets in, in which temperatures drop significantly.

Best months

By far the best travel time for a holiday in Belarus is from June to August. This coincides with summer. The average maximum temperatures are between 21 and 25 degrees Celsius. During the night the temperature drops significantly: the average minimums are between 10 and 15 degrees during the hottest months. June and July are the sunniest months in absolute terms. The capital Minsk then has about 250 to 280 hours of sunshine per month. August is just as sunny in relative terms, but because the days are already shorter, the counter remains at about 240 hours of sunshine in the last summer month. If you mainly go to Belarus to travel around, to be active and to see things, you can also choose to travel to this destination in May or September. It is then less warm, but also somewhat drier than in summer. April can also be fine, but then you have to be lucky. It can be spring-like in April, but also seriously cold. Sometimes severe frost occurs at night in this month.

Belarus