Yaroslavl and its local area has a typical temperate continental climate, in comparison to central and western Europe. This makes for a climate with more snowy, colder, but dry winters, and typically temperate, warm summers.
The winter weather in Yaroslavl begins in about November and usually goes on for five months, into spring. The coldest month of the year is typically January with an average daily temperature of just ?8.2 �C (17.2 �F). However, at this time it is not uncommon for temperatures to drop below ?20 �C (?4 �F). In some cases (for example, most recently in January 2006), temperatures of ?35 to ?40 �C (-31 to -40 �F) can be experienced. On the other hand, Yaroslavl can also experience positive temperatures during this time of the year (for example, in 1932, when a thaw lasted for seventeen days of January). Typically the Volga freezes over during the winter. Snow cover is usually 35�50-centimeter thick (14�20 in), but can in some cases be up to 70 centimeters (28 in) in depth. The springtime months are best characterized by a typical lack of precipitation. From the end of March into April, there is often a thaw, and much of the ice and snow melts to reveal foliage underneath. It is not uncommon for temperatures in April to reach+20 �C (68 �F). Summers in Yaroslavl are typically wet with some heavy rainstorms. The summer often reaches its hottest point during the months of June/July, with a mean daily temperature of +23.3 �C (73.94 �F) and often days over +30 �C (86 �F). From September begins the two-month-long fall, which is characterized by relatively high humidity, fewer sunny days, and unpredictable temperatures (it is possible to first see ground frost in September). The average amount of precipitation during a year is 591 millimeters (23.3 in), of which 84 millimeters or 3.3 inches (the most precipitation in one month) falls in July. The very least precipitation occurs in winter and spring (particularly in February and March)
