Climate of Estonia

Estonia lies in the northern part of the temperate climate zone and in the transition zone between maritime and continental climate. Because Estonia (and all of Northern Europe) is continuously warmed by maritime air influenced by the heat content of the northern Atlantic Ocean, it has a milder climate despite its northern latitude. The Baltic Sea causes differences between the climate of coastal and inland areas. Estonia has four seasons of near-equal length. Average temperatures range from 16.3 °C (61.3 °F) on the Baltic islands to 18.1 °C (64.6 °F) inland in July, the warmest month, and from −3.5 °C (25.7 °F) on the Baltic islands to −7.6 °C (18.3 °F) inland in February, the coldest month.

Young pines stand in winter

The average annual temperature in Estonia is 5.2 °C (41.4 °F) .^[1] The average temperature in February, the coldest month of the year, is −5.7 °C (21.7 °F).^[1] The average temperature in July, which is considered the warmest month of the year, is 16.4 °C (61.5 °F).^[1] The climate is also influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, the North-Atlantic Stream and the Icelandic Minimum, which is an area known for the formation of cyclones and where the average air pressure is lower than in neighbouring areas. Estonia is located in a humid zone in which the amount of precipitation is greater than total evaporation. The average precipitation in 1961–1990 ranged from 535 to 727 millimeters (21.1 to 28.6 in) per year and was heaviest in late summer.^[2] There were between 102 and 127 rainy days a year,^[2] and average precipitation was most plentiful on the western slopes of the Sakala and Haanja Uplands. Snow cover, which is deepest in the south-eastern part of Estonia, usually lasts from mid-December to late March.

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high	10.1⁰C	12.4⁰C	18.4⁰C	27.6⁰C	31.2⁰C	33.5⁰C	35.2⁰C	35.6⁰C	30.2⁰C	22.4⁰C	13.3⁰C	11.9⁰C	35.6⁰C
Record low	-36.8⁰C	-36.2⁰C	-29.5⁰C	-14.3⁰C	-6.6⁰C	-2.6⁰C	0.5⁰C	0.2⁰C	-8.4⁰C	-17.0⁰C	-25.9⁰C	-34.6⁰C	-36.8⁰C
Highest wind gust (m/s)	38	35	33	30	28	28	30	37	29	34	34	34	38

Spring

Spring is usually dry and mild. It can still snow in April and May. May is the warmest month in spring when first heat waves arrives and the temperatures can reach 20-30°C. Thunder season starts in April.

Summer

Summers are mild, warmer in south and east Estonia, colder on the islands. On some days temperatures can reach up to 30-35°C, but they are usually near 20°C. The warmest month is July, but the maximum air temperature record was recorded in August at 35,6°C. Thunderstorms can be commonly seen in the afternoon.

Autumn

Autumn is wet and windy. The first half of September can be warm. Many cyclones come across Scandinavia and bring heavy rains with thunderstorm to Estonia. Some storms can cause coastal flooding and winds over 35 m/s. The first snow usually comes in late October or November.

Winter

It is colder in the East of Estonia and warmer on the coastal areas. The coldest months are January and February: on some nights low can be -35°C. The record low is -43,5°C. Cyclones brings snowstorms. Some times sea effect affects Estonia, bringing more snow.

Wind

Strongest wind was in 1969 in Ruhnu, 48 m/s.

See also

• Geography of Estonia

References

1. EMHI
2. Sademed, õhuniiskus (Precipitation, air humidity. In Estonian). Estonian Meteorological and Hydrological Institute