Winter in Novosibirsk feels long and brutally cold, shaping how people live and get around. You’ll find average temperatures well below freezing, often hovering from about -5°F to 9°F in January, which is the coldest stretch.
Snow falls frequently, and biting winds make the cold even more intense. It’s a season that really demands some serious preparation.
If you visit during these months, you’ll see the city adapt to survive. Snow covers the streets for months, daylight shrinks, and the sky usually stays gray.
Still, the crisp air and snowy scenery create an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else. Siberia in winter is something special, even if it’s not always comfortable.
Knowing what to expect from the temperatures, snowfall, cloud cover, and daylight can help you handle the season with a bit more confidence.
Whether you’re planning outdoor adventures or just want to understand how locals get through winter, this guide aims to give you a real sense of what it’s like.
Typical Winter Temperatures in Novosibirsk
Novosibirsk’s winter brings long stretches of subzero weather, frequent snowfall, and big differences between day and night temperatures.
The cold stays steady for months, with only a few short warm spells breaking up the freeze.
Average Highs and Lows
Daytime highs in winter rarely get above freezing. In January, the coldest month, you’ll see average highs around -12°C (10°F).
December and February are a bit less harsh, with highs near -9°C to -10°C (14°F to 16°F).
Nights are even colder. January’s average lows fall to -21°C (-6°F).
December and February usually bring lows between -17°C and -19°C (0°F to -2°F). The city’s continental climate means clear skies at night let heat escape fast.
You’ll need to prepare for long stretches of extreme cold, especially if you plan to be outside much. Warm winter clothes aren’t really optional here.
Coldest and Warmest Winter Days
Sometimes, the cold in Novosibirsk gets truly brutal. Thermometers can drop below -30°C (-22°F), especially on clear, calm January nights.
These extreme lows don’t happen every day, but they’re common enough that you can’t ignore them.
Occasionally, warmer days show up. A mild spell might bring highs close to -2°C to 0°C (28°F to 32°F), usually in late February when the sun finally starts to get stronger.
These thaws don’t last long, and snow sticks around.
The swings between deep freezes and rare mild days just highlight how unpredictable Siberian winters can be. Don’t count on steady temperatures—surprises happen.
Monthly Temperature Breakdown
Novosibirsk’s winter covers December, January, and February. Each month brings its own flavor of cold.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | -9°C (16°F) | -17°C (1°F) | Start of deep winter, frequent snow |
| January | -12°C (10°F) | -21°C (-6°F) | Coldest month, long nights |
| February | -10°C (14°F) | -19°C (-2°F) | Still cold, but days grow longer |
By late February, you’ll notice afternoons get a bit milder and there’s more daylight. Still, the cold hangs on compared to most places.
This steady chill really defines winter in Novosibirsk.
Snowfall and Precipitation Patterns
In the winter months, Novosibirsk gets heavy snowfall, deep snow cover, and almost no rain. The city’s continental setting means precipitation falls almost entirely as snow.
Rain or sleet only show up on rare occasions.
Average Snow Accumulation
Snow usually starts piling up in November and doesn’t let up until April. On average, 20–30 cm of snow falls each month during the heart of winter, with January and February getting the most.
The snowpack builds steadily, often reaching 40–60 cm by mid-winter. This makes for great winter sports, but it also means roads and sidewalks need constant clearing.
Because temperatures are so low, the snow stays dry and powdery. It doesn’t pack down the way wetter snow does in milder places.
Wind can blow snow into drifts, making some spots much deeper than the average.
Rain and Mixed Precipitation
Rain almost never falls in winter here. When temperatures briefly climb above 0°C, usually in late autumn or early spring, you might get freezing rain or sleet.
These icy events don’t happen often, but they can leave roads and sidewalks dangerously slick.
Thawing and refreezing cycles can quickly turn surfaces into ice rinks, so travelers need to pay attention.
Unlike summer, when thunderstorms bring bursts of rain, winter precipitation is nearly all snow. The air stays pretty dry, but the steady snow keeps everything blanketed in white.
Winter Precipitation Trends
Novosibirsk gets about 450 mm of precipitation each year, with most of it falling as snow between November and March.
The city doesn’t see constant precipitation like coastal areas, but when snow comes, it’s usually significant.
Snow falls in frequent, moderate bursts rather than a few huge storms. This keeps snow cover reliable.
Humidity stays high in winter, usually above 80%, which helps keep clouds and regular snow showers around.
Late winter is the driest stretch, as snowfall eases up before spring arrives.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine Duration
Winter skies in Novosibirsk are mostly gray, with long spells of overcast weather. Sunshine is scarce, and daylight is short, which really changes how the season feels.
Cloudy Versus Clear Days
The coldest months bring a lot of cloudy days. On average, the sky stays overcast or mostly cloudy about 80% of the time in mid-winter.
You’ll see far fewer clear skies than in summer.
Clear days do happen, but they’re rare, especially in December and January. December averages just 22% of the day with partly clear skies.
Most days are cloudy or overcast, with light snow making things look even grayer.
If you’re planning to be outside, expect a dim, muted vibe. Snow on the ground brightens things up a bit, but the sky usually stays dull.
Average Hours of Sunshine
January brings the least sunshine. You get only about 2 hours of sunlight per day on average.
December offers a bit more—around 5 hours of partial sunlight—but most of that is weak light filtered through clouds.
By February, sunshine starts to increase, though it’s still limited. The difference from summer is huge—July averages over 10 hours of daily sunshine, while winter barely gets a fraction of that.
This lack of sunlight can affect your mood, your daily routine, and even how you plan trips. If you’re here in winter, get ready for short, dim days.
Seasonal Changes in Daylight
Daylight hours in Novosibirsk change a lot with the seasons. Around the winter solstice in late December, you get less than 7 hours of daylight.
Sunrise happens late, and sunset comes early.
As winter moves along, daylight gradually increases. By March, you get closer to 11 hours of daylight, making a big difference in how bright and open the city feels.
These changes matter for planning. In December and January, you’ll want to do most things during the brief midday window.
By late winter, longer days make it easier to get outside or see the city.
Humidity and Wind Conditions
Novosibirsk’s winter comes with high humidity and steady winds that make the cold feel even worse. It’s not just the temperature that gets you—the dampness and wind really matter.
Typical Humidity Levels
Relative humidity stays high in winter, usually between 75% and 85%. The cold air can’t hold much moisture, but the snow cover and low evaporation keep humidity up.
Even though the air feels dry compared to coastal places, the damp cold cuts through clothing quickly.
Fog and frost are pretty common, especially early and late in the day.
Humidity levels barely change from December through February.
| Month | Avg. Humidity (%) |
|---|---|
| December | ~80% |
| January | ~82% |
| February | ~79% |
These numbers mean the cold feels even sharper. Layered clothes and insulated boots are a must if you’re outside.
Prevailing Winter Winds
Winds in Novosibirsk during winter usually stay light to moderate, but they pack a punch when paired with the cold. Average speeds run from 3 to 5 m/s (7–11 mph), with stronger gusts when weather systems move through.
Most of the time, winds blow in from the west and northwest, bringing in cold continental air.
This keeps the freeze going strong, with little relief.
Wind chill is a real problem. At -15°C (5°F) with a 5 m/s wind, it feels more like -23°C (-9°F).
If you’re heading outside, keep this in mind—exposed skin can freeze fast.
Blizzards aren’t as common as in northern Siberia, but blowing snow still happens. It can cut visibility and make getting around the city a hassle.
Daylight Hours and Sun Position
Winter in Novosibirsk means short days, a low sun, and not much sunlight. Because the city sits deep in southern Siberia, daylight changes a lot between December and February.
Even at noon, the sun barely gets above the horizon.
Shortest and Longest Winter Days
The shortest day falls in late December. There’s only about 6 hours and 53 minutes of daylight, which is less than a third of a full day.
By late February, you get over 9 hours of daylight. That’s a big jump from deep winter.
This slow return of the sun matters if you want to do anything outside. After the solstice, the available daylight grows quickly.
At solar noon in December, the sun only climbs to about 11.6° above the horizon. By February, it reaches around 24°.
That’s still low, so shadows stay long and sunlight feels weak, even when the sky is clear.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
Sunrise in winter comes late in Novosibirsk. Around the solstice, the sun rises after 9:30 AM and sets just after 4:00 PM.
That leaves a pretty short window for outdoor plans.
By January, sunrise comes a little earlier, around 9:00 AM, and sunset moves closer to 5:00 PM.
The days keep stretching out as February rolls in.
Late sunrises can mess with your daily rhythm, especially if you’re not used to dark mornings. The city often stays in twilight well after people start their day.
Sunsets come early, and darkness falls fast. If you want to see the city or just be outside, you’ll need to plan around the daylight.
Extreme Winter Weather Events
Novosibirsk winters aren’t just long and cold—they also bring extreme conditions that really test everyone. The city has seen record-setting lows and stretches of severe cold that shape how people live, travel, and stay safe.
Record Low Temperatures
Novosibirsk gets hit with some seriously brutal cold, with record lows dropping way below what you’d expect for the season. Most Januaries, you’ll see lows around -6°F (-21°C), but sometimes the city just gets walloped by historic cold waves.
Some winters, the mercury has dipped under -40°F (-40°C), which honestly feels more like something out of central Siberia than a big city. When it’s that cold, your skin can freeze in just a few minutes, and even a quick walk outside gets risky if you’re not bundled up right.
These cold records really show how unpredictable Siberian winters can get. Take a look at a couple of examples:
| Date | Approx. Recorded Low |
|---|---|
| Late 1960s | -47°F (-44°C) |
| Early 1980s | -45°F (-43°C) |
Sure, these kinds of temperatures don’t happen every year, but they’re a good reminder—Novosibirsk’s weather can surprise you. If you’re thinking about visiting in winter, it’s smart to be ready for some wild temperature swings.
Notable Cold Spells
Novosibirsk doesn’t just break single-day records—it often endures long stretches of bitter cold. These cold spells usually show up in December and January, when Arctic air masses drift over western Siberia and decide to stick around.
During these spells, daily highs might not even reach -20°F (-29°C) for days at a time. Nights? They get even colder, so folks really depend on good heating and sturdy infrastructure just to get by.
Cold spells hit transportation pretty hard. Flights get delayed, and regional trains slow down because ice piles up on the tracks. If you’re traveling, you’ll want to keep your plans flexible since disruptions are pretty likely.
Locals handle it by piling on layers, insulating their homes, and avoiding the outdoors when they can. If you’re visiting, knowing about these cold snaps means you can actually get ready for weather that’s much tougher than the averages let on.