Fall in Yakutsk brings one of the most dramatic seasonal shifts you’ll ever see. Temperatures drop fast, daylight hours shrink, and the landscape quickly trades its brief warmth for the first hints of a long Siberian winter.
On average, daily highs fall from around 62°F in early September to about -23°F by late November, making fall in Yakutsk one of the fastest cooling transitions on the planet.
As fall moves along, the skies turn cloudier and rain becomes rare, with light snow starting to take over. Daylight shrinks by more than eight hours from September to November, so you’ll notice evenings creeping in earlier each week.
These changes shape not only the weather but also how you plan your time outdoors.
Traveling during this time takes a bit of preparation, but it’s a rare chance to see Siberia in transition. You’ll find crisp mornings, quiet streets under early snow, and a climate that really shows why Yakutsk is famous for its extremes.
Overview of Fall Weather in Yakutsk
Fall in Yakutsk hits hard and fast, with temperatures dropping, days getting shorter, and rain quickly giving way to snow. The season feels more like a long slide into winter than a gentle autumn.
Seasonal Climate Summary
Temperatures in Yakutsk fall dramatically from September through November. Average highs start at about 62°F (17°C) in early September and sink to -23°F (-31°C) by late November.
Nighttime lows drop even faster, often reaching below -30°F (-34°C) before winter officially kicks in.
Cloud cover steadily increases. At the start of September, you’ll see partly clear skies almost half the time. By November, overcast days take over nearly 80% of the month.
Precipitation shifts just as quickly. Early fall brings some light rain, but by mid-October, snow becomes more common. Average monthly snowfall rises from 0.1 inches in September to almost 0.7 inches in November.
Rainfall, meanwhile, drops to nearly nothing.
Daylight shrinks at a rapid pace. Early September gives you over 14 hours of daylight, but by late November, you’re down to about 6 hours.
Sunrises move from just after 5 a.m. in September to after 9 a.m. by late November.
Weather in Yakutsk Compared to Other Seasons
Fall in Yakutsk feels much shorter than summer and not as brutal as winter—at least at first. Summer brings average highs in the 70s°F (20s°C) with long days and the occasional rain, but fall quickly strips away both warmth and light.
Compared to winter, early fall still feels almost mild. Winter temperatures often crash below -40°F (-40°C), while fall rarely gets that cold until late November.
Snowfall in fall stays lighter than in the deep winter months.
Spring takes its time warming up. In fall, the cooling hits fast, and you only get a couple of weeks of “mild” weather before freezing conditions take over.
This quick change makes fall one of the shortest-lived seasons in Yakutsk.
Geographical Influences on Fall Weather
Yakutsk sits in eastern Siberia, far from any ocean that might soften its climate. The city lies on the Lena River around 62°N latitude, which leads to huge seasonal swings in sunlight.
The flat surrounding terrain lets cold Arctic air sweep in without much to slow it down. With almost no natural barriers, temperatures drop fast once the sun weakens in late September.
Since Yakutsk is so far inland, humidity stays low, and muggy days basically don’t happen. Winds average around 4–5 miles per hour, which isn’t much, but the dry air makes the cold feel sharper.
This mix of latitude, continental climate, and open terrain explains why fall in Yakutsk is so brief, cloudy, and dominated by a rapid plunge into winter.
Temperature Trends and Variations
During fall in Yakutsk, temperatures drop fast as the season shifts from mild early September to deep cold by late November. You’ll see sharp daily changes, long nights, and a steady move from rain to snow as freezing conditions settle in.
Average Daily Highs and Lows
At the start of September, expect daily highs near 62°F (17°C) and lows around 42°F (6°C). By late November, highs fall to about -23°F (-31°C), and lows reach -34°F (-37°C).
The drop is huge, with average highs dropping by more than 80°F over the season. Nights get especially harsh, with lows sometimes dipping below -40°F.
These extremes make Yakutsk one of the coldest inhabited places on earth during late fall.
For comparison:
- Early September: Cool days, chilly nights
- Mid-October: Freezing most of the day
- Late November: Bitter cold, day and night
You’ll need to prepare for winter much earlier than in most places.
Monthly Temperature Changes
September still gives you a taste of mild weather, but frost shows up fast. Average highs start near 60°F in early September, then fall to the mid-30s °F by month’s end.
Lows drop from the low 40s °F down to below freezing.
October brings a much sharper transition. Highs average in the 20s °F by mid-month, and lows often dip into the single digits or below zero.
Snow starts to stick, and the ground begins to freeze solid.
By November, daytime highs rarely get above 0°F (-18°C). Nights regularly plunge below -30°F (-34°C).
At this point, Yakutsk weather already feels more like deep winter than autumn.
This month-by-month drop really shows how quickly the climate can swing in eastern Siberia.
Hourly Temperature Patterns
Daily temperature swings get smaller as fall goes on. In September, you’ll notice warmer afternoons and chilly nights, with ranges of about 15–20°F.
By November, the difference between day and night shrinks, and both stay far below freezing.
Mornings cool off quickly after sunrise, and evenings lose heat fast once the sun sets.
With daylight shrinking from over 14 hours in early September to less than 6 hours by late November, the sun barely has time to warm things up.
The coldest hours come just before sunrise, while the brief afternoon offers the mildest conditions. This pattern makes outdoor activities tougher as fall moves on.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Fall in Yakutsk brings a sharp drop in moisture. Rainfall fades, wet days become rare, and by late fall most precipitation falls as snow.
These changes definitely affect how you plan outdoor activities or travel.
Average Rainfall by Month
Rainfall in Yakutsk is light compared to many places. During fall, precipitation falls off fast as temperatures slip below freezing.
- September: About 3.5–4.0 cm of rain on average. It’s the wettest fall month, but still modest compared to summer.
- October: Rainfall drops to around 1.5–2.0 cm. Much of it comes as a mix of rain and snow.
- November: Precipitation averages 1.0 cm or less, and most of that is snow, not rain.
After September, the ground dries out fast. By November, liquid rainfall is almost gone, and things turn icy.
This quick decline leaves only a short window for fall rain before winter takes over.
Frequency of Wet Days
The number of days with measurable precipitation drops sharply. September still sees rain on roughly 30–35% of days, so you might run into showers.
In October, wet days fall to about 20–25%, and precipitation gets more mixed. By November, only 10–15% of days bring measurable moisture, and it’s almost always snow.
If you’re visiting early in fall, prepare for occasional wet weather. Later on, rain is rare, but snow and ice become the main thing to watch out for.
Transition to Snowfall
Fall in Yakutsk marks the switch from rain to snow. In September, rain still leads, though night frosts can already sneak in.
By October, snow shows up more often, sometimes mixing with rain during the day.
In November, nearly all precipitation falls as snow. Accumulation starts to build, and the ground stays frozen.
This shift matters for travel: roads can get icy, and you’ll need winter gear for outdoor plans.
Expect a quick transition, with only a few weeks between mild, rainy days and a snow-covered landscape. That’s Yakutsk’s fall in a nutshell.
Cloud Cover and Sky Conditions
In Yakutsk, fall brings a steady march toward cloudier skies. The season starts with a fair shot at partly clear days, but by late autumn, overcast days are the rule.
This change affects visibility, daylight, and how often you actually see the sun.
Trends in Cloudy Skies
Cloud cover ramps up fast as fall goes on. In early September, skies are overcast or mostly cloudy about 53% of the time.
By early November, that number climbs to nearly 80%, so gray skies become the norm.
If you visit in September, you still get a decent mix of clear and cloudy skies. By November, the city sits under almost constant cloud cover.
The cloudiest period lands around November 7, when the chance of overcast skies peaks at 85%.
For planning, September offers a balance of sunlight and clouds, while October and November lean heavily toward dull, gray skies.
Occurrence of Partly Cloudy Days
Partly cloudy days get much less common as fall rolls on. On September 1, the sky is clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy almost 47% of the time.
That gives you more chances to spot blue skies and sunlight early in the season.
By October, breaks in the clouds get shorter and less frequent. You might catch a partly cloudy afternoon, but overall, you’ll see less sun.
Late November brings almost no partly cloudy days. Thick cloud layers take over, and your odds of seeing clear patches drop to almost nothing.
Overcast and Clear Day Probabilities
The probability of overcast days climbs fast through fall. Early in the season, you’re looking at just over a 50% shot at cloudy skies.
By late fall, that jumps to nearly 8 out of 10 days.
Clear days go the other way. In early September, you’ve got close to a 1 in 2 chance of clear or mostly clear skies.
By November, your odds of a clear day drop below 15%.
If you’re planning outdoor activities, expect fewer sunny days and get ready for long stretches of overcast skies as winter approaches.
Sunlight and Daylight Hours
In Yakutsk, daylight shifts quickly through fall. Days get shorter, sunrises come later, and sunsets arrive earlier as September gives way to November.
Twilight stretches out, leaving more hours of dim light before full night sets in.
Day Length Changes
Day length in Yakutsk drops sharply during fall. On September 1, you get about 14 hours and 21 minutes of daylight.
By November 30, that shrinks to 5 hours and 55 minutes.
You lose nearly 8.5 hours of daylight in just three months.
The daily loss averages about 5 to 6 minutes, which you’ll notice week by week. By late fall, days feel really short, with only a brief window of sunlight.
This happens because Yakutsk sits so far north, where seasonal daylight swings are extreme.
For travelers, sightseeing time outdoors gets limited by late October. Locals adjust their routines to fit shorter days, and artificial lighting becomes a must much earlier in the afternoon.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
Sunrise and sunset change a lot as fall moves along. Early September kicks off with sunrise at about 5:09 AM and sunset close to 7:30 PM.
By late November, sunrise doesn’t happen until almost 9:11 AM, and sunset hits as early as 3:06 PM.
So, mornings stay dark for hours, and evenings lose light fast. If you want to get outside, you’ll really have to plan your time and squeeze what you can out of limited daylight.
The shift from early to late fall feels dramatic. In September, you might still linger outside after dinner with plenty of light. But by November, you’re looking at dusk by mid-afternoon, and the whole place just feels like winter has barged in.
Twilight and Nightfall
Twilight in Yakutsk stretches out as the days get shorter. Civil twilight, when you can still see without flipping on a lamp, hangs around before sunrise and after sunset.
In early September, twilight tacks on more than an hour of usable light to both ends of the day.
By late fall, twilight is pretty much the only natural light outside the brief midday sun. The city spends a lot of the morning and evening in this gray, dim haze instead of total darkness.
If you want to walk or get around when the sun’s not up, this long twilight can help. Still, it can feel like there’s never enough brightness, so if you’re visiting in November, you’ll want to be ready for that.
Travel Considerations for Fall in Yakutsk
If you’re heading to Yakutsk in the fall, you’ve got to plan ahead. Temperatures drop fast, daylight disappears, and the weather can go from mild to harsh almost overnight.
Pick your travel dates carefully, bring the right clothes, and pay attention to how the weather will shape your day-to-day plans.
Best Times to Visit
Early September feels the nicest if you want to visit Yakutsk in the fall. Daytime highs still reach around 15–17°C (59–63°F), and you get more than 14 hours of daylight.
By late November, it’s a different story. Temperatures often dip below –20°C (–4°F), and you’re down to less than six hours of daylight.
If you like things mild, aim for the first half of September. That stretch gives you manageable weather, fewer hassles, and more chances to get outside.
October brings a chill, with highs hovering near freezing and frosty nights. The city gets quieter, but the cold makes sightseeing tougher.
In November, Yakutsk slips into early winter. Getting around gets tricky with icy roads, heavy layers, and those super short days. Unless you’re ready for extreme cold, you might want to skip this time.
Packing and Preparation Tips
Pack for a huge range of temperatures because fall weather swings fast. In September, a medium jacket might do, but by October or November, you’ll need insulated coats, hats, gloves, and solid boots.
Layer up. A base layer, something warm in the middle, and a windproof shell will help you handle surprise cold snaps. Early fall can bring rain, so waterproof shoes are smart, but once snow hits, you’ll want insulated boots.
Other handy things to bring:
- Thermal socks and gloves
- Moisturizing cream to fight off dry skin in the cold
- Portable power bank since cold zaps batteries fast
- Travel insurance in case weather messes with your plans
If you prep for both mild and wild conditions, you’ll handle Yakutsk’s wild fall weather just fine.
Impact of Weather on Local Activities
Weather shapes what you can actually do in Yakutsk during the fall. In early September, you might still hop on a river cruise along the Lena River, check out local markets, or just wander outside without bundling up too much.
Long daylight hours let you explore the city or nearby landscapes at your own pace.
But by October, outdoor activities really start to drop off. Many travelers end up spending more time in museums, theaters, or cultural centers instead.
Icy roads can make rural trips tricky, so people often skip those.
November rolls in, and most outdoor tourism pretty much stops because of the brutal cold and barely-there daylight. Still, this is when you can get a real taste of Yakutsk’s famous winter.
If you’re curious about how Siberian winter sneaks in, November gives you a unique, if tough, glimpse.
Knowing how the seasons change local life can help you plan activities that actually work and avoid headaches.