Kishinev is located in the area of temperate continental climate with hot summers, warm and long autumns and relatively mild winters. The first meteorological survey was conducted in 1844. More detailed study of the climate was begun in World War II years in the Riscan weather station (1944-1959), Revak (from 1959) and Kishinev Hydrometeorology centre. The solar year is 2 215 hours. The longest light days have been registered in July (light July is 329 hours) and the shortest days have been registered in December (light December is 54 hours).

The winds of nothern and northwest direction dominate, sometimes southeast ones - in winter. The average speed of winds is from 2.5 up to 4.5 m/sec. Stronger ones (3.2 m/sec.) predominate in February, March and the weakest (2.2 m/sec) in September and October.

On average, winter lasts 77 days in Kishinev, separate years - from 31 up to 123 days. The temperatures of wintertime are unstable. The coldest month is January (t = -3.5 degrees Celsius*), February is a little bit warmer (t = -2.5 degrees).

Warm air comes from the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean and Black seas as well as owing to the cyclone movement from the south-west to the south. Spring usually comes to Kishinev on 1 March. From April the sharp increase of temperature begins. It sometimes rises up to 15.8 degrees. On average, spring lasts 70 days before the first decade of May.

Summer begins in the middle of May, but it may come earlier or later some years. The average temperature of July - the hottest month - is 21.5 degrees; sometimes temperature rises to 25.3 and 35 degrees.

The relative humidity of air is subjected to the frequent year change. The highest humidity (82-88%) is observed in winter. The humidity of the warm period (from April till September) is 61-66%, and in summer the highest humidity - 64% - is observed in June. The minimum humidity, equal to 61%, is observed in April-May.

* All the temperatures are given in Celsius

Average annual air temperatures

Wind rose

You can admire the sights of Kishinev in different seasons:

http://www.net.md/impressions/index_s.html