Regional Map & Climate

Climate

Primorsky Krai is located in the southeast part of Russia, on the west coast of the Sea of Japan. The climate within the region is continually influenced by both continental and sea climate conditions.



Being situated on border of the biggest in the world continent and greatest of oceans (Pacific ocean), Primorsky Krai constantly experiences influence of these two giants on itself. Crucial importance has not so much the arrangement of Krai in rather low latitude of a moderate zone, as its position at edge of huge continent Asia, which is strongly cooled on winter and warmed up on summer.

Weather in Primorsky Krai is determined by monsoons. In the winter the territory of region is under prevailing influence of very cold and dry air mass, which formed in the field of a powerful Asian anticyclone. The resulting stream of air is directed from areas of China to a southeast, from area of the Asian anticyclone to area of lower pressure, which is situated over Pacific Ocean and purlieu seas.



The weather during the winter is under influence of a VERY cold and dry wind. So you can expect temperatures from -20°C to -25°C in Vladivostok and temperatures that can reach more then -35°C when you travel to the North. So during winter months if you decide to spend long periods of time outdoors the only one advice is to be well prepared. Bring with you a good winter coat, thermal underwear, warm socks, plenty of moisturiser, gloves and a hat, Russians traditionally wear a Shapka, which is a hat made of animal fur and acts as a great heat insulator for your head. Absolute



In spring and summer temperatures can increase to a maximum of 25°C on the seacoast. During this period from June until the beginning of August you may enjoy the pleasure of the beaches!! But still do not forget that you are in the Far East and that the climate can change quickly. The level of precipitation in spring and summer can be high. Don' forget to bring with you a raincoat, an umbrella and of course a swimming suit in case of!!!!

Table

In summertime movement of air mass gets an opposite direction. At this time by southeast winds are brought relatively cool and damp sea air in first half of summer and very damp and warm - in its second half.

Duration of the cold period at the most part of region is 130 - 160 days, and only in northern part of the western foothills and at tops of Sikhote Alin it is increased to 180 days.
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Spring is long in Primorsky Krai. At spring in continental areas the rising of air temperature from 0 to 10 occurs for 30 - 45 days, at the coast of Japanese sea and at the coastal areas this period is increased to 50 - 70 days.

The absolute minimum of air temperature, i.e. temperature possible only in some night of the coldest years is changed from 20 - 25°C (in mountains 32 - 37°C of frost) in March to 4 - 9 °C below zero, in the south 0 - 2°C heat in May. The highest values (an absolute maximum) make in March - 16 - 21°C, in April - 25 - 30°C and in May - 30 - 35 °C. In first half of April it is observed coming off a snow cover. In the spring precipitation in comparison with the winter period are increased to 30 - 60 mm, in May on some meteorological stations to 70 - 94 mm. In some years the droughty periods are observed when the monthly sum of precipitation does not exceed half of average long-term norm. So, in 1989, 1993, 1997, 1998 precipitation on the most part of continental areas was only 20 - 50 % from long-term norm.



Summer in Primorski Krai in the first half usually hot and dry in a continental part and cool with often fogs and a drizzle - at coast and in second half - hot, damp, with plentiful rains. The average monthly temperature of air in June is higher then in May on 3 - 5°C on the coast of Japanese sea. On eastern Sikhote Alin`s slopes and at all coast of Sea of Japan it is 9 - 15°C. Moving away from the coast deep into continent, the temperature appreciably raises, and the greatest values of average monthly temperature is marked in a valley of the Arsenievka river and in average watercourse of Ussuri - 16 - 18°C.

Variability of average monthly air temperature from year to year is insignificant. In the first decade of June in east areas the termination of last frosts is marked. The temperature of air in coldest night of June decreases to 0 - 3°C in a flat part and in the south of region to 5 - 7°C heat. The value of absolute maximum is 34 - 36°C, in coastal areas 27 - 30°C. The amount of atmospheric precipitation is increased by June and their distribution on the territory non-uniform: the least on Prikhankajskaya plain, the greatest - in Bikin, Big Ussurka, the Malinovka rivers basin on the average a watercourse of Ussuri.

In these summer months among the dangerous hydrometeorological phenomena very strong rain (amount of precipitation is 50 mm and more, for 12 hours and less) and long strong rains with amount of precipitation 100 - 120 mm and more for 2 - 3 days is marked. In the summer the temperature of air raises from a shore deep into territories, and its highest values are observed on Prikhankajskaja plain (20 - 22). On the western slopes of Sikhote Alin its value on 3 - 3,5°C higher than on eastern slopes and at coast of Sea of Japan. The territory of Primorski Krai concerns to a zone of sufficient humidifying: about 80 - 92 % of precipitation is related to the warm period of year, and the bulk of plentiful falls and showers drops out in second half of summer.



In November basically the firm and mixed precipitation (50 - 80 %) prevail the share of liquid precipitation make 20 - 50 %. The number of especially dangerous snowfalls giving amount of precipitation 20 mm and more for 12 hours appreciably grows.In November formation of a steady snow cover is marked, except the western and southern areas Prihankajskoj plain and coast of sea of Japan. The average height of a snow cover by the third decade of November in the western foothills Sihote-Alinja reaches 8 - 15 mm.