Spring in Arkhangelsk feels like a real break from the long, icy winter. You start to notice milder days and way more daylight. Temperatures climb steadily, shifting from freezing in March to much more comfortable weather by late May.
On average, spring temperatures rise from about -5°C (24°F) in early March to around 15°C (59°F) by the end of May.
As the snowpack melts, the landscape changes fast. Rain replaces snow by late spring, and the skies clear up as cloud cover drops.
Longer daylight hours, stretching past 20 hours by the end of May, make the city feel alive again after those dark months. It’s a big mood shift.
This mix of cool air, more sunshine, and changing precipitation shapes daily life and travel. If you’re wondering how to dress, what to expect, or how to plan outdoor stuff, spring in Arkhangelsk has its own unique climate story.
Spring Overview in Arkhangelsk
Spring in Arkhangelsk brings a sharp seasonal shift. You get rising temperatures, longer daylight, and a quick move from snow to rain, which feels different from other Russian cities at similar latitudes.
Typical Spring Climate
You’ll notice a steady warming as spring moves along. Average daytime highs go from about 24°F (-4°C) in early March to 58°F (14°C) by late May.
Nighttime lows climb from 10°F (-12°C) up to around 40°F (4°C). That’s still chilly, but it’s a big improvement.
Snowfall drops off quickly. March might still bring about 5 inches (12 cm) of snow in a month, but by late May, you’ll see less than 1 inch (2 cm).
At the same time, rainfall picks up, starting near 0.1 inches (3 mm) in March and hitting over 2 inches (50 mm) by May’s end.
Cloud cover decreases as the season goes on. In March, skies stay overcast more than 80% of the time. By late May, about half the days are clear.
Humidity stays low, so muggy days are rare. That’s a relief if you’re not a fan of sticky weather.
Daylight changes are huge. The day grows from about 10 hours in early March to over 20 hours by late May. You get long evenings and barely any night.
Transition from Winter to Spring
The switch from winter to spring happens quickly. In early March, you still deal with freezing temperatures and icy streets.
By April, snow cover weakens, and slush mixes with the first real rainfall. It’s messy, but it means things are warming up.
Winds make a difference during this time. Early spring brings southern winds, which are a bit milder.
By late May, winds shift north, and you might still feel cool breezes rolling in from the White Sea.
Water temperatures rise at a snail’s pace. The Northern Dvina River and the coastal waters stay close to freezing in March.
By May, they warm to about 40°F (4°C). Evenings stay cool because of this, even if the days feel warmer.
The growing season doesn’t really kick off until late May. Before then, frost is common, so planting early usually doesn’t work out.
Once it starts, you get a short but intense period for gardening and farming.
Comparison with Other Russian Cities
If you compare Arkhangelsk to Moscow, you’ll notice spring comes later and stays colder here. Moscow warms up earlier, with April highs often above 50°F (10°C), while Arkhangelsk still hovers near freezing.
Compared to Murmansk, which sits farther north, Arkhangelsk warms up sooner. Murmansk can stay snow-covered well into May, while Arkhangelsk has already switched to rain by then.
Yakutsk, out east, faces a harsher transition. While Arkhangelsk warms up gradually, Yakutsk can jump from deep freezes in March to sudden warmth in May. That’s a wild swing.
When it comes to daylight, Arkhangelsk gains hours faster than cities farther south. By late May, you’re almost in continuous daylight, which Moscow never really gets. That’s something special about spring here.
Average Spring Temperatures
Spring in Arkhangelsk brings a steady shift from freezing winter to much milder weather by late May. You’ll notice big differences between early and late spring, with cold nights sticking around even as daytime highs shoot up.
Monthly Day and Night Temperatures
In March, daytime temperatures usually sit near -5°C (23°F). Nights often drop to -12°C (10°F), so it still feels sharply cold.
Snow dominates the landscape, and you really feel that chill in the air.
By April, average highs climb to around 4°C to 7°C (39–45°F). Nighttime lows stay below freezing, often between -5°C and 0°C (23–32°F).
This is when the snow starts melting, and you’ll see more slush and wet spots.
In May, the weather changes more dramatically. Daytime highs reach 12°C to 15°C (54–59°F), and some warmer days can even hit 20°C (68°F).
Nighttime lows finally rise above freezing, averaging 3°C to 5°C (37–41°F). Spring finally feels more stable and comfortable.
| Month | Avg High (°C) | Avg Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| March | -5 | -12 |
| April | 4–7 | -5 to 0 |
| May | 12–15 | 3–5 |
Temperature Trends from March to May
You’ll see a steady warming of nearly 20°C from early March to the end of May. Early spring still feels a lot like winter, but late spring edges into mild, almost summer-like weather.
Daytime temperatures rise faster than the nights. Highs go up quickly, but evenings stay chilly until mid-May.
You might still need winter gear after sunset, even if the days feel pleasant.
Snowfall drops off fast in April, and by late May, rain becomes more common. These changes really mark the end of the cold season.
Regional Variations: Arkhangelsk vs. Severodvinsk
Arkhangelsk and Severodvinsk are only about 35 kilometers apart, but you’ll find some small differences in their spring temperatures.
Arkhangelsk sits inland along the Northern Dvina River and tends to warm up a bit faster in April.
Severodvinsk, right by the White Sea, usually stays cooler in early spring because of the cold sea water. This is most obvious in March and early April, when sea ice sticks around.
By May, the differences shrink. Both cities usually share similar daytime highs around 13°C to 15°C (55–59°F).
Evenings in Severodvinsk can remain a bit cooler, especially near the coast.
Travelers should expect Arkhangelsk to feel a little warmer in spring, while Severodvinsk might hold onto that chill a bit longer.
Precipitation Patterns in Spring
Spring in Arkhangelsk brings a steady change in precipitation. Snow is common early on, but rainfall takes over as the season moves ahead.
You’ll get a mix of wet days, with varying amounts of snow and rain. The seasonal shift really shapes daily life and travel.
Monthly Rainfall and Snowfall
March is all about snowfall, with average totals near 40–50 mm—almost all of it snow. Temperatures stay below freezing, so snow cover sticks around.
By April, precipitation goes up a bit to around 45–55 mm. The mix starts to change, though. Snow still falls, but as the days warm up, you get more rain, especially later in the month.
May brings the biggest shift. Precipitation averages 50–60 mm, but now rain is the main event.
Snow becomes rare, and the ground stays wet. May finally feels like real spring instead of late winter.
| Month | Avg. Precipitation | Main Type |
|---|---|---|
| March | 40–50 mm | Snow |
| April | 45–55 mm | Snow/Rain mix |
| May | 50–60 mm | Rain |
Frequency of Wet Days
You’ll get plenty of wet days during spring, but the type of precipitation changes as the months go by.
March usually brings 15–18 days with measurable snowfall. These are mostly light or moderate, not big storms.
April has about 14–16 wet days, and many of them bring mixed precipitation. You might see rain in the afternoon after snow in the morning, especially when it’s hovering near freezing.
By May, you still get 14–15 wet days, but rainfall dominates. Showers are usually short and scattered, but they can still throw off outdoor plans. Snow in May is rare, but not totally unheard of.
Transition from Snow to Rain
The move from snow to rain happens gradually, and you’ll notice it most in April. Early in the month, snow is still common.
By the end, rain takes over, and melting snow mixes with new rainfall, making things slushy.
In March, snow depth can still be pretty significant, and new snow keeps adding to it. Roads and walkways often stay icy, so travel can be tricky.
By May, snow’s usually gone, and rain is what you have to deal with. The ground stays damp, and puddles pop up in low spots. This shift marks the move from winter’s frozen landscape to spring’s wetter, more unpredictable climate.
Humidity and Wind Conditions
Spring in Arkhangelsk brings rising humidity as the snow melts and temperatures go up. Wind patterns shift, too, changing how the air feels and how comfortable it is outside.
Average Humidity Levels
You’ll run into high humidity levels during spring, especially in March and April when melting snow adds moisture to the air.
Average relative humidity usually sits between 75% and 85%, which feels pretty damp compared to a lot of other places.
In March, humidity feels heavier because the cold air traps moisture near the ground. By May, as temperatures reach around 12°C (54°F), the air feels less oppressive, but the moisture is still there.
Cool days can feel colder, and warm days can feel a bit muggy.
If you’re traveling, expect wet ground and maybe some foggy mornings, especially near rivers and the coast. Waterproof shoes and layers are a smart move.
Locals know spring humidity often brings fog, especially near the water.
Wind Speed and Direction
Winds in Arkhangelsk during spring are moderate but steady, with average speeds from 12 to 18 km/h (7 to 11 mph).
Gusts can get stronger, especially in April when weather systems change more often.
Most of the time, the wind comes from the west and northwest, bringing in cool air from the White Sea and up north. These winds add a chill, even when the days start to warm up.
By May, winds calm down a bit but still stick around enough to affect how it feels outside.
If you’re planning to walk along the river or spend time in open areas, expect breezes that seem stronger because of the damp air. The mix of wind and humidity really shapes spring here.
Sea Temperature and Coastal Influence
The White Sea stays cold well into spring, and this has a big impact on Arkhangelsk’s climate. Sea temperatures rise slowly, and the cold water affects both air temps and local weather.
Spring Sea Water Temperatures
In March, the average sea temperature near Arkhangelsk is about -1.5 °C. That’s just above freezing.
By April, it creeps up to -0.8 °C, and by May, it reaches around 3.6 °C. Even at the end of spring, the sea is still way colder than the air.
Because of this, swimming or water activities are off the table in spring. The cold sea also slows down ice melt along the coast, sometimes into April.
These chilly waters keep the land from warming up fast. Even if daytime air temperatures in May hit over 10 °C, the sea lags behind, and you’ll notice a big difference between inland and coastal weather.
Effect of the White Sea on Local Weather
The White Sea really acts like a thermal regulator for Arkhangelsk. In spring, the cold sea surface slows how quickly the air warms up, so coastal areas stay cooler than places farther inland.
This cooling is most noticeable in March and April, when the sea is still close to freezing. You’ll probably see more fog and low clouds near the coast too.
When cold water meets slightly warmer air, you get a higher chance of misty mornings. Wind direction plays a big role—onshore winds bring in cool, damp air, while offshore winds let inland warmth reach the city.
By May, longer daylight and warmer air start to weaken the sea’s cooling effect. Still, the White Sea keeps the local climate milder and more humid than inland spots at the same latitude.
Sunshine Hours and Daylight
Spring in Arkhangelsk means more sunshine and longer days. There’s a big difference between early March, when days feel short and dim, and late May, when daylight just seems to stretch on and on.
Average Daily Sunshine
In early spring, sunshine is in short supply. March averages about 3 hours of sun per day, and skies usually stay cloudy.
Snow cover can make the light feel brighter, but you don’t actually get much real sunshine. By April, the average rises to 5–6 hours daily, so you start to get more breaks of clear weather.
Outdoor conditions begin to feel less gloomy, even if it’s still pretty chilly. In May, sunshine jumps to nearly 8 hours per day.
This makes late spring the brightest time before summer, and you get long stretches of daylight for outdoor plans.
| Month | Average Daily Sunshine (hours) |
|---|---|
| March | 3.0 |
| April | 5.5 |
| May | 8.0 |
These numbers show how quickly things brighten up, so it gets easier to plan time outside as spring moves along.
Length of Daylight in Spring
Daylight hours change even faster than sunshine. In early March, you get about 10 hours of daylight, which already feels like a relief after the dark winter.
By mid-April, daylight stretches to nearly 15 hours, with earlier sunrises and later sunsets. This is one of the most obvious seasonal changes in Arkhangelsk.
At the end of May, daylight reaches almost 19 hours. Nights get really short, and the sky often stays bright even after sunset.
This long daylight is a special feature of northern Russia in late spring and gives you tons of time to be outside.
| Month | Approx. Daylight Hours |
|---|---|
| March | 10–12 |
| April | 13–15 |
| May | 17–19 |
The quick jump in daylight really shapes your daily routine and outdoor plans in spring.
Practical Tips for Spring Visitors
Spring in Arkhangelsk brings cool days, chilly nights, and more daylight. You’ll need to prepare for changing temperatures, wet ground, and not-so-many sunny days if you want to make the most of the season’s slow shift toward warmth.
What to Pack for Spring Weather
Daytime temperatures in March average around -3°C (26°F), while May often hits 11°C (53°F). Nights stay colder, so you’ll want to bring layered clothing to adjust as the day goes on.
Pack a warm jacket, sweaters, and thermal underlayers for early spring. By May, lighter jackets and long-sleeve shirts usually work, but it’s smart to keep a hat and gloves handy for the evenings.
Footwear matters—a lot. Melting snow and spring rain can leave streets wet or muddy, so waterproof boots with good traction make walking easier.
A compact umbrella or light raincoat comes in handy, since April and May tend to bring more rainy days than March.
If you plan to spend time outside, sunglasses help with the bright light bouncing off the snow in early spring. A small backpack for extra layers is also practical when the weather changes during the day.
Travel Recommendations
If you’re planning a spring trip to Arkhangelsk, you’ll need to work around the unpredictable weather and limited sunshine. In March, you’ll probably see just a handful of clear days, but by May, the sun starts to show up more often.
The days stretch out fast—by late spring, daylight sticks around for over 20 hours. Why not take advantage of that extra light and pack your schedule with things you actually want to do?
Public transport usually runs on time, but sidewalks in March and April can stay icy or turn into a slushy mess. Give yourself a bit more time to get around, and watch your step, especially on side streets that don’t get cleared as often.
If the weather turns damp or just plain cold, you can duck into museums, theaters, or cultural centers. In May, once the snow finally melts and things warm up a bit, riverside walks and quick outdoor trips start to feel a lot more inviting.
Spring tends to draw fewer visitors than summer, so the city feels quieter. If you like exploring at your own pace, this season gives you the space to do just that while still catching the mood of spring.