Average over 30 years annual temperature increased by 1 degree. Fluctuations, fluctuations in the temperature amplitude have increased, extrema are increasing. In Polissya, after reclamation, the number of frosts increased.

Winds: average speed winds has decreased over the past 16 years: from 3.4 m/s to 3 m/s

The climate of Belarus is defined as temperate continental. Its main characteristics are due to the location of the territory of the republic in temperate latitudes, the absence of orographic barriers, the predominance of flat terrain, the relative distance from Atlantic Ocean. Complex Interaction various atmospheric processes and the underlying surface (heat circulation, moisture circulation, general circulation of the atmosphere) determine the peculiarity of the regime of each climatic element - air and soil temperatures, clouds, precipitation, and so on, human economic activity has an increasingly noticeable influence on the climate.

The latitudinal location of the territory of Belarus between 56 and 51 ° north latitude determines the angle of incidence sun rays, length of day and sunshine, which is related to the amount of incoming solar radiation. During the year, the angle of incidence of sunlight at noon in Belarus changes by 47 °, the length of the day - by more than 10 hours. The annual arrival of total solar radiation, increasing from northern to southern regions, ranges from 3500 to 4050 MJ / m2 (84-97 kcal / cm 2).

The circulation of the atmosphere causes a constant change of air masses over the territory. In the lower layers of the atmosphere, westerly transport predominates, leading to frequent intrusions of moisture-rich air masses; in the eastern regions, the influence of the ocean decreases and the climate becomes more continental. Continent, air mass can come from the east and northeast or form on the spot, which is accompanied by mostly clear cloudless weather. Occasionally, tropical air comes from the south, causing a significant increase in air temperature. The dominance of western transport leads to the predominance of western cyclones, bringing wet air.

In the cold season, they cause warming, often thaws and precipitation, in summer - cool weather with rain. Cyclones come from the northwest much less frequently. When moving in a southeasterly direction in winter, they cause rapid and significant warming, which, after the passage of the cyclone, is replaced by a sharp cooling, and in summer - unstable weather. Approximately 1-2 times a month, southern cyclones come to the territory of Belarus, causing significant precipitation in winter with snowstorms, in summer with thunderstorms. The flat nature of Belarus and the surrounding area contributes to the penetration of air masses from the north, west and south, which increases the variability of the weather. Elevations determine local climatic features- a slight decrease in air temperature, an increase in the amount of precipitation and the frequency of fogs.

The thermal regime is characterized by positive average annual air temperatures, gradually rising to the south and southwest. To the north they are 4.4°, in the extreme southwest 7.4°C. The average January temperature varies from -4.1°C in the southwest to -8.4°C in the northeast. In some periods in winter, almost every year the temperature drops to -22, -30°C, the lowest of the recorded air temperatures reached -40, -44°C.

On average, 8-9 thaw periods are observed during the winter - in total from 25 days in the northeast to 50 in the southwest. sustainable transition air temperature through 0°C and the destruction of the snow cover begins in the southwest at the end of the first decade of March and ends in the northeast before the beginning of April. After 2-3 weeks, the air temperature exceeds +5°C and the vegetation of plants begins. Returns of cold weather and frosts are possible until mid-May, occasionally in June.

In summer, the average daily temperature is above +15°С. During this period, solar radiation has a decisive influence on the temperature regime, the air temperature increases from north to south. The average temperature of the warmest month - July is from +17 to +19.7°С. On some days the air temperature rises to +28 - +32°C (maximum temperatures +36-38°C). The average temperature of the soil surface reaches +20-24°C. At the end of August, frosts are already possible in the northern regions. From the end of September - the beginning of October they are celebrated everywhere. In autumn, periods of short-term return of heat are possible - the so-called “ Indian summer". The transition of air temperature through +5 °С downwards occurs in the second half of October. The total duration of the period with air temperature above +5°С is 180-208 days.

The sum of average daily temperatures for this period is 2350-2950°C. In the first half of November, the air temperature drops to negative, snow falls. But stable snow cover is formed only at the beginning of December in the northeast and at the end of the month in the southwest. The duration of the warm period (temperature above 0°C) in the southwest is 250-260 days, in the northeast 220-230 days. The duration of the soil freezing period is related to the change in air temperature.

In winter, the soil usually freezes to a depth of 40-50 cm (maximum depth up to 100-110 cm) in the southwest, to 50-70 cm (maximum depth 110-135 cm) in the northeast, the freezing depth depends on the type of soil and power snow cover.

Belarus belongs to the zone of sufficient moisture. The annual amount of atmospheric precipitation depends on the terrain and is 500-600 mm in the lowlands and 600-700 mm in the plains and uplands. About 70% of precipitation falls in the warm season (from April to October) mainly in liquid form.

The total number of days with precipitation (0.1 mm or more) is 160-190, significant precipitation is less common: 1 mm or more - 100-120 days, 5 mm or more - 30-40 days, 10 mm or more - 12- 16 days, 20 mm and more - 3-4 days a year. The absolute maxima of daily precipitation for the observation period at individual points reach 80-150 mm. The total duration of precipitation is 1000-1400 hours per year. In each of the autumn-winter months, the duration of precipitation is 2.5 times greater than in summer.

About 70-80% of precipitation comes from rain, 9-16% from snow, and the rest from mixed precipitation. Summer precipitation for each point in 25-33 cases per year is accompanied by thunderstorms, 1-2 times by hail. The number of days with snow cover increases from 70 in the southwest to 130 in the northeast. Max Height its (15-35 cm) is observed in late February - early March, increases from west to east and on higher ground.

The total water reserve in the snow at the end of winter is 40-80 mm in the field and 1.2-1.5 times more in places protected from the wind. During the year there are 55 - 82 days with snowfall, 15-35 with a snowstorm, 8-25 days with ice, 11 - 30 with frost. A significant amount of precipitation, relatively low air temperatures cause high humidity air. Relative air humidity exceeds 80% during all periods of observation in winter and late autumn, and in other seasons - in the dark part of the day.

During the spring-summer period, during the day, the humidity decreases and at 2 pm it is 54-63%. The minimum relative humidity is observed in May. In some years, there is a drought at the beginning of summer. On average per year, the number of dry days (with a humidity of 30% or less at one of the observation periods) is 3-5 in the northeast and at the highest elevations, 17-19 in the extreme southeast. High air humidity causes frequent fogs. The average number of days with fog per year ranges from 35-60 on the plains to 80-100 on the uplands. The average annual total duration of fogs is from 140 to 860 hours.

FROM high humidity significant cloudiness over the territory of Belarus is also associated. In the autumn winter period overcast sky prevails about 85% of the time, mostly with dense low clouds. In the spring-summer period, cloudiness decreases, in May - August the sky is cloudy 40-60% of the time.

cloudy days (by general cloudiness) from 175 in the northwest to 135 in the southeast clear 30-35 per year, in the southeast up to 40-42. In most of the territory, the maximum of clear days occurs in March - April, only in the southeast in July - September. The duration of sunshine averages 1730 - 1950 hours per year, increasing in the southeast. Its minimum duration is in the autumn-winter period, when there are up to 20 days a month without sun, and on the remaining days the duration of the radiance is an average of 3 hours. In May - July, only 1-3 days a month are without sun, on some days the duration of the radiance reaches 16 hours.

The wind regime is due to the general circulation of the atmosphere. The western transport prevails, in winter the winds blow from the south-west more often, in summer - from the north-west. Average annual wind speeds in open areas are about 4 m/s, in hollows about 3 m/s. Wind speeds increase during the cold period. In a year there are only 5-10 days in which in open areas there is an increase in wind speed up to 15 m/s or more. Annually it is possible to expect in each point wind increase up to 18-20 m/s, every 5 years - up to 20-26 m/s. Occasionally there are storms and tornadoes.

The climate of Belarus is characterized by some negative factors - the unstable nature of the weather in spring and autumn, mild winters with long thaws, often rainy summers, lack of moisture at the beginning of it, late spring and early autumn frosts.

However, in general, it is favorable for the successful cultivation and high yields of crops, fruit trees and bushes. middle lane European part of the CIS and partly more southern regions. Relatively small fluctuations in the main meteorological characteristics, their moderation make the climate of Belarus favorable for human life and activities. Separate parts of the republic differ in terms of suitability for individual crops, therefore, 19 agro-climatic regions are distinguished within Belarus.

In some cases, individual meteorological phenomena, reaching large values intensity, duration or time of existence, harm crops, buildings, can cause human casualties. In such cases, they are classified as dangerous meteorological phenomena or especially dangerous meteorological phenomena. Occasionally they become natural disasters. Numerous observed over the territory of the republic are associated with the peculiarities of the ongoing atmospheric processes. natural phenomena(polar lights, halos, tornadoes, dust storms). For climatic features of individual seasons and months, see the articles Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter and articles about each month.

The study of fossil remains of fauna and flora, numerous materials characterizing the geological past show that the climate of the Earth, including Belarus, has changed significantly in different epochs. Climate fluctuations that lasted millions of years are known. They brought change climatic zones. For hundreds of millions of years before Anthropogenic period it was warmer than now. About 70 million years ago, at the beginning of the Paleogene, temperature contrasts between the polar and tropical latitudes began to increase. In the Anthropogen, the air temperature in high latitudes dropped, and continental glaciations arose.

Since the end of the last of these, the climate of Europe has fluctuated within comparatively narrow limits. Dry and warm periods in the Holocene were replaced by more humid and cool ones. On the basis of annalistic data, warming is known in the 9th-12th centuries. Cooling in the 12th-18th centuries was called the small ice age. Instrumental observations that have been carried out over the past 200 years (in Belarus since the beginning of the 19th century) make it possible to quantitatively determine the magnitude of warming and highlight short-term climate fluctuations.

Over the past 100 years, 3 periods of warming were observed on the territory of Belarus, which were replaced by cooling. The first was celebrated at the end of the past and in the first decade of this century. The second, largest, falls on the 1930s. After a slight cooling in the 40s, a warming was noted in the 50s-60s. During the period of the greatest warming, the air temperature over the decade exceeded the long-term average by 0.4-0.6°C, which corresponds to the air temperature of the point lying 100-150 km to the south.

The periods of rise and fall of air temperature in different regions of the republic are almost the same, but in the south the last maximum was less significant. Humidity fluctuations are more significant. In Belarus, in the first third of the 20th century, a period with maximum precipitation was identified. Around the middle of the 20th century, a period with a significant shortage of precipitation began. Precipitation deficit, having somewhat decreased, exists to the present day.

The most ancient information about climatic conditions and related natural phenomena on the territory of Belarus was recorded in chronicles, descriptions of travelers and other sources starting from the 9th-10th centuries. First meteorological stations created in Mogilev in 1809, Vitebsk in 1810, Brest in 1834, Gorki in 1841, Minsk in 1849. A comprehensive study of the climate began only after the October Revolution.

In the 1930s, ultraviolet radiation was studied, the foundations of the weather service were laid, a method for forecasting frosts was developed, A. I. Kaigorodov carried out versatile studies, compiled the first detailed description climate of Belarus, which has retained its significance to our time. In the 1950s - 80s, long-term data on the main meteorological elements were summarized, reference books on the climate of the republic and regions were compiled. A series of studies on individual climate elements has been completed.

Completed work on the study of the climatic conditions of large cities, the study of climate and microclimate is underway resort areas and so on A. Kh. Shklyar summarized information about the climate of Belarus in several monographs. Based on the analysis of climate resources influencing Agriculture and seasonal development of nature; agro-climatic zoning of the republic has been carried out.

Belarusian Republican Administration for Hydrometeorology and Control natural environment conducts studies of long-term climate features at a wide network of meteorological, agrometeorological, actinometric and aerological stations. Observations from automatic weather stations and meteorological satellites are used.

The climate of Belarus can hardly be called ideal: summers are cool and humid, winters are mild, spring and autumn are changeable. But, despite the vagaries of the weather, tourists speak only positively about holidays in Belarus.

The peak season in Belarus falls on summer and new year holidays. Many tourists travel to Europe, so the occupancy of Belarusian hotels often depends on events in neighboring Poland, Latvia and Lithuania.

Weather by months

The weather forecast in Belarus should be known in advance in order to plan a comfortable vacation. A monthly weather table in Belarus will help you get an idea of ​​what the weather is like here in different seasons.

	Happy	At night
January	-7	-2
February	-7	-1
March	+4	-3
April	+12	+3
May	+19	+8
June	+21	+12
July	+24	+14
August	+23	+13
September	+17	+8
October	+10	+4
November	+3	-1
December	-1	-6

Summer

Summer in Belarus is usually damp and cool. The air temperature in June does not exceed +27°С, strong short-term precipitations are not uncommon, often with a thunderstorm. July in Belarus is the warmest month of the year (the air temperature reaches about +29°C), and August is already the beginning of autumn. By September, the amount of precipitation gradually increases, in the northern regions of the country there are frosts.

Autumn

Autumn in Belarus is perhaps the most picturesque time of the year. thick deciduous forests and many kilometers of fields change juicy green clothes for bright red and crimson. Colorful Belarusian castles in such an environment look especially fabulous. In the first half of November, the air temperature drops to negative (to about -2°C), snow falls in some regions.

In autumn, tourists prefer to relax in Belarus, appreciating the beauty of nature and magnificent landscapes.

Winter

The Belarusian winter is beautiful, clean and relatively warm. The air temperature is kept at around -25°C, does not fall below -30°C. December in Belarus is the warmest winter month, when thaws are not uncommon. Tourists who come here to celebrate the New Year holidays celebrate comfortable weather and picturesque nature of Belarus.

Spring

Due to the influence of cyclones, it is almost impossible to predict what spring will be like in Belarus this year. Usually heat comes to the country at the end of March. The air warms up to +19°C only by May, but frosts are possible until the summer.

In the spring in Belarus, fans of sightseeing holidays will like it - there are still few tourists, so you can see all the castles and monuments without pushing in lines.

Brief geographical characteristic Belarus

Geographic center Belarus- paragraph earth's surface with geographic coordinates latitude: 53°31’50.76’’; longitude 28°2'38.00''. It is located 70 km southeast of Minsk, a few kilometers from Maryina Gorka, near the village of Antonovo, Pukhovichi district, Minsk region.

The geographical center of Europe is located 48 km southwest of Polotsk, not far from Lake Sho (Vitebsk region).

Relief of Belarus predominantly flat-hilly, with an average height above sea level of 160 m, and the highest point reaches only 346 m. Highest point Mount Dzerzhinskaya (346 m), behind it - Lysaya (342 m). The lowest point is the Neman Lowland, the Neman River (90 m).

The flat nature of the surface creates favorable conditions for the settlement of people, agricultural development of the territory, the construction of industrial enterprises, transport and engineering communications, the organization of tourism and the provision of recreational services.

largest river Dnieper (section 700 km) largest lake lake Naroch (79.6 km 2).

There are 20,800 rivers and about 11,000 lakes in Belarus. Most of the lakes are in the north and northwest. There are both natural and artificial reservoirs of water in the republic.

Population- 9.5 million people (87th in the world).

The territory of Belarus is 207,560 sq. km (84th in the world). She is compact. Its greatest length from west to east is 650 km, from north to south - 560 km. In terms of territory, the republic ranks 13th among European states and 6th - among the CIS countries (after Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan). In Europe, Belarus is slightly inferior in area to Great Britain and Romania and more than 2.2 times larger than Portugal and Hungary.

The climate of Belarus is defined as temperate continental. Its main characteristics are due to the location of the territory of the republic in temperate latitudes, the absence of orographic barriers, the predominance of flat relief, and the relative distance from the Atlantic Ocean. The complex interaction of various atmospheric processes and the underlying surface (heat circulation, moisture circulation, general circulation of the atmosphere) determine the uniqueness of the regime of each climatic element - air and soil temperatures, cloudiness, precipitation, and so on. Human economic activity has an increasingly noticeable impact on the climate.

The latitudinal location of the territory of Belarus between 56 and 51 ° north latitude determines the angle of incidence of sunlight, the length of the day and sunshine, which determines the amount of incoming solar radiation. During the year, the angle of incidence of sunlight at noon in Belarus changes by 47 °, the length of the day - by more than 10 hours. The annual arrival of total solar radiation, increasing from northern to southern regions, ranges from 3500 to 4050 MJ/m2 (84–97 kcal/cm2).

The circulation of the atmosphere causes a constant change of air masses over the territory. In the lower layers of the atmosphere, westerly transport predominates, leading to frequent intrusions of moisture-rich air masses; in the eastern regions, the influence of the ocean decreases and the climate becomes more continental.

Air masses can come from the east and northeast or form in place, which is accompanied by mostly clear cloudless weather. Occasionally, tropical air comes from the south, causing a significant increase in air temperature. The dominance of western transport leads to the predominance of western cyclones bringing humid air. In the cold season, they cause warming, often thaws and precipitation, in summer - cool weather with rain. Cyclones come from the northwest much less frequently. When moving in a southeasterly direction in winter, they cause rapid and significant warming, which, after the passage of the cyclone, is replaced by a sharp cooling, and in summer - unstable weather.

About 1-2 times a month, southern cyclones come to Belarus, causing significant precipitation in winter with snowstorms, in summer with thunderstorms. The flat nature of Belarus and the surrounding area contributes to the penetration of air masses from the north, west and south, which increases the variability of the weather. Elevations cause local climatic features - a slight decrease in air temperature, an increase in precipitation and the frequency of fogs.

The thermal regime is characterized by positive average annual air temperatures, gradually rising to the south and southwest. To the north they are 4.4°, in the extreme southwest 7.4°C. The average January temperature varies from -4.1°C in the southwest to -8.4°C in the northeast. In some periods in winter, almost every year the temperature drops to -22, -30°C, the lowest of the recorded air temperatures reached -40, -44°C. On average, 8–9 thaw periods are observed during the winter - in total, from 25 days in the northeast to 50 in the southwest.

For 30 years mean annual temperature increased by 1 degree. Fluctuations, fluctuations in the temperature amplitude have increased, extrema are increasing. In Polissya, after reclamation, the number of frosts increased.

A steady transition of the air temperature through 0°C and the destruction of the snow cover begins in the southwest at the end of the first ten days of March and ends in the northeast before the beginning of April. After 2–3 weeks, the air temperature exceeds +5°C and the vegetation of plants begins. Returns of cold weather and frosts are possible until mid-May, occasionally in June. In summer, the average daily temperature is above +15°С. During this period, solar radiation has a decisive influence on the temperature regime, the air temperature increases from north to south. The average temperature of the warmest month - July is from +17 to +19.7°C. On some days the air temperature rises to +28 - +32°С (maximum temperatures +36–38°С). The average soil surface temperature reaches +20-24°C. In late August, frosts are already possible in the northern regions. From the end of September - the beginning of October they are celebrated everywhere. In autumn, periods of short-term return of heat are possible - the so-called "Indian summer".

The transition of air temperature through +5 °С downwards occurs in the second half of October. The total duration of the period with air temperature above +5°С is 180–208 days. The sum of average daily temperatures for this period is 2350–2950°С. In the first half of November, the air temperature drops to negative, snow falls. But stable snow cover is formed only at the beginning of December in the northeast and at the end of the month in the southwest. The duration of the warm period (temperature above 0°С) is 250–260 days in the southwest and 220–230 days in the northeast. The duration of the soil freezing period is related to the change in air temperature. In winter, the soil usually freezes to a depth of 40–50 cm (maximum depth up to 100–110 cm) in the southwest, to 50–70 cm (maximum depth 110–135 cm) in the northeast, the freezing depth depends on soil type and thickness snow cover.

Belarus belongs to the zone of sufficient moisture. The annual amount of atmospheric precipitation depends on the terrain and is 500–600 mm in the lowlands and 600–700 mm in the plains and uplands. About 70% of precipitation falls in the warm season (from April to October) mainly in liquid form. The total number of days with precipitation (0.1 mm or more) is 160–190, significant precipitation is less common : 1 mm or more - 100-120 days, 5 mm or more - 30-40 days, 10 mm or more - 12-16 days, 20 mm or more - 3-4 days per year. The absolute maximums of daily precipitation for the observation period at individual points reach 80–150 mm. The total duration of precipitation is 1000–1400 hours per year. In each of the autumn-winter months, the duration of precipitation is 2.5 times greater than in summer. About 70–80% of precipitation comes from rain, 9–16% from snow, and the rest from mixed precipitation. Summer precipitation for each point in 25–33 cases per year is accompanied by thunderstorms, 1–2 times by hail. The number of days with snow cover increases from 70 in the southwest to 130 in the northeast. Its maximum height (15–35 cm) is observed in late February - early March, increases from west to east and at higher elevations. The total amount of water in the snow at the end of winter is 40–80 mm in the field and 1.2–1.5 times more in places protected from the wind. During the year, there are 55–82 days with snowfall, 15–35 with a snowstorm, 8–25 days with ice, 11–30 with frost.

A significant amount of precipitation, relatively low air temperatures cause high humidity. Relative air humidity exceeds 80% during all periods of observation in winter and late autumn, and in other seasons - in the dark part of the day. During the spring-summer period, during the day, the humidity decreases and at 2 pm it is 54-63%.

The minimum relative humidity is observed in May. In some years, there is a drought at the beginning of summer. On average per year, the number of dry days (with a humidity of 30% or less at one of the observation periods) is 3–5 in the northeast and at the highest elevations, 17–19 in the extreme southeast. High air humidity causes frequent fogs. The average number of days with fog per year ranges from 35-60 on the plains to 80-100 on the uplands. The average annual total duration of fogs is from 140 to 860 hours.

Significant cloudiness over the territory of Belarus is also associated with high humidity. In the autumn-winter period, overcast skies prevail about 85% of the time, mainly with dense clouds of the lower tier. In the spring-summer period, cloudiness decreases, in May - August the sky is cloudy 40-60% of the time. Cloudy days (according to total cloudiness) from 175 in the northwest to 135 in the southeast ; clear 30–35 per year, in the southeast up to 40–42. In most of the territory, the maximum of clear days occurs in March - April, only in the southeast in July - September. The duration of sunshine averages 1730–1950 hours per year, increasing in the southeast. Its minimum duration is in the autumn-winter period, when there are up to 20 days a month without sun, and on the remaining days the duration of the radiance is an average of 3 hours. In May - July, only 1-3 days a month are without sun, on some days the duration of the radiance reaches 16 hours.

The wind regime is due to the general circulation of the atmosphere. The western transport prevails, in winter the winds blow from the south-west more often, in summer - from the north-west. Average annual wind speeds in open areas are about 4 m/s, in hollows about 3 m/s. The average wind speed over the past 16 years has decreased from 3.4 m/s to 3 m/s. Wind speeds increase during the cold period. There are only 5–10 days a year during which wind speeds increase to 15 m/s or more in open areas. Annually it is possible to expect wind increase up to 18–20 m/s at each point, once every 5 years - up to 20–26 m/s. Occasionally there are storms and tornadoes.

The climate of Belarus is characterized by some negative factors- unstable nature of the weather in spring and autumn, mild winters with long thaws, often rainy summers, lack of moisture in early summer, late spring and early autumn frosts. However in general it is favorable for the successful cultivation of staple crops, vegetables, fruit trees and shrubs of the middle lane of Eastern Europe and especially - for the cultivation of potatoes, fiber flax, annual grasses, fodder root crops.

In some cases, certain meteorological phenomena, reaching high values ​​of intensity, duration or time of existence, harm crops, buildings, and can cause human casualties. In such cases, they are classified as dangerous meteorological phenomena or especially dangerous meteorological phenomena. Occasionally they become natural disasters.

Numerous natural phenomena observed over the territory of the republic (polar lights, halos, tornadoes, dust storms) are associated with the peculiarities of the ongoing atmospheric processes.

Belarus has a temperate continental climate with frequent Atlantic cyclones; with mild and wet winters, warm summer, damp autumn. The average annual air temperature is from 7.4 °C in the southwest to 4.4 °C in the northeast. The average temperature in January ranges from -4°С to -8°С, in July - from +17°С to +19°С. The annual amount of precipitation is 550-650 mm in the lowlands and 650-750 mm in the plains and uplands. Average duration vegetation period 184 - 208 days. The climatic conditions of Belarus are favorable for growing the main grain crops, vegetables, fruit trees and shrubs of the middle zone of Eastern Europe, and especially for the cultivation of potatoes, fiber flax, annual grasses, fodder root crops.

The main features of the Belarusian climate are determined geographic location countries in the middle latitudes, relative proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the prevailing western transfer of air masses and a flat relief that does not prevent the movement of air masses in various directions.

The territory of Belarus is located within the western region of the northern temperate zone and has a temperate continental climate. The geographical latitude of the territory (Belarus is located between56°and 51° north latitude) determines the angle of incidence of the sun's rays, which, in turn, affect the amount of incoming solar radiation.

Day lengthinBelarus is more in the south in winter, and in the north in summer. The difference between the north and south of the country in winter and summer is about one hour per day. The longest day in Minsk is22 June - lasts 17 hours 11 minutes. Features of changing the angle of incidencesolarrays and the length of the day lead to noticeable differences in quantitysolar radiation received by northern and southernmi districtscountries (both in annual output and by seasons of the year). The most important climate-forming process on the territory of Belarus is the western transport of air masses. With western transfer; from the Atlantic Ocean, along with cyclones formed on the polar (moderate) and Arctic fronts, sea air masses come. Arctic and tropical air masses have a much lesser effect on the country's climate.

In winter, the Asian High forms over Eurasia. The repeatability of weather in winter, which is established under the influence of the Asian anticyclone, is 18-20%, in spring and autumn - 10-14%. The intensity of the influence of the Asian anticyclone decreases in the direction from east to west.

In summer, the Azores High, which is constantly located in tropical latitudes, shifts to the north and its eastern branch passes south of Belarus. The Azores High as a whole determines the nature of the country's weather in the summer. The recurrence of weather in summer, which is established under the influence of this anticyclone, is about 18%.

On average, 15-16 anticyclones come to the territory of Belarus or directly above it per year. Cyclones have a more noticeable impact on the climate of Belarus. Their impact on the conditions and nature of the weather occurs for 150-160 days a year. The cyclonic circulation affects the weather for about 216 days. Cyclones are known to form on the Arctic and Polar fronts, but they can also occur as a result of uneven heating of the earth's surface.

Atmospheric pressure gradually increases from the north and northwest to the south and southeast. For example, in Vitebsk it is equal to 994.9 Pa (pascal), and in Gomel - 1001.5 Pa. The average pressure at sea level is 1013.2 Pa. The maximum pressure over the entire territory of the country is set in January. In the summer, over warmed land, the pressure decreases. Within the territory of Belarus, the fall atmospheric pressure in summer it goes from west to east. The lowest atmospheric pressure in the country is recorded in July.

The annual course of atmospheric pressure leads to the fact that the winds of the western and northwestern directions prevail in summer. In the system of the general circulation of the atmosphere, there is a periodic change from the zonal western transport of air masses to the meridional transport with the movement of air masses from south to north or from north to south. The nature of atmospheric circulation determines the type and properties of air masses entering the country.

Moderate air masses dominate the territory of the country throughout the year. They form only over land and penetrate the country's territory from the east and southeast and bring cold weather in winter, and warming and dryness in summer. The highest frequency of temperate continental air is characteristic of the northeastern part of Belarus.

The climate of Belarus is significantly influenced by Arctic air masses that enter the country in a system of cyclones formed on the Arctic front and moving mainly in east and northeast directions. These air masses, which form over Svalbard and Greenland, move over the warm surface of the Atlantic Ocean and acquire the properties of sea air masses. Colliding with moderate air masses, they form cold fronts, which are accompanied by precipitation, increased northerly winds and a decrease in air temperature.

Continental arctic air masses come to Belarus from the northeast, from the Kara and Barents Seas, bringing strong winds and heavy snowfalls.

Arctic air masses are over the territory of Belarus about 40-70 days a year; in winter and summer they cause cooling, in spring - late frost and early frosts in autumn.

Tropical air masses are less typical for Belarus than temperate and arctic ones. Their average frequency is about 20-25%. Tropical air masses come to the country in summer from the southwest and southeast. Thus, the climate of Belarus is characterized by the influx of various air masses that bring heat or cold and determine precipitation. Change of air masses, interaction of cyclones and anticyclones, dynamics atmospheric fronts cause changes in temperature and instability of the weather regime.

The air temperature in the country is characterized by variability and inconstancy. Minimum average monthly temperatures are observed in January, and the maximum - in July. In Minsk, for example, the average long-term temperature in January is -6.9 °C, but once every four years it is below -9 °C or above -4 °C. The average long-term July temperature in Minsk is +17.8 °С, but once every 30 years it exceeds +30 °С.

The circulation of air masses and the thermal regime determine the features of moisture circulation and the regime of precipitation. The annual course of absolute humidity generally coincides with the annual course of temperatures: the maximum is observed in summer, and the minimum in winter. Relative humidity reaches its maximum in winter and is 88-90%, while in summer and spring it drops to 65-70%. Average annual value relative humidity- about 80%. The lowest relative air humidity (about 30%) is observed in May and June, which leads to dry weather (especially in the southeast of the country).

Condensation of water vapor contained in the atmosphere leads to the formation of clouds, fogs and precipitation. a huge role in the formation of cloudiness, ascending movements (sliding) of air masses along the line of atmospheric fronts in cyclones play.

Cloudiness, as you know, is determined by the amount and shape of clouds and is expressed in points and percentages. An indicator of the amount of cloudiness is the amount cloudy days in a year. In Belarus during the year it ranges from 135 in the southeast to 175 in the northwest. On hills that retain moisture, cloudiness increases significantly.

During the cold period of the year, the maximum frequency of cloudy skies is observed in morning hours, and the minimum - in the evening. In the warm period of the year, the maximum is during the day, and the minimum is at night. Predominant in autumn and winter stratus clouds, in summer - cumulus and pinnate.

The high frequency of fogs is also associated with high relative humidity. On the territory of Belarus, from 35 to 100 days with fogs are recorded during the year. Fog forms at a relative humidity close to 100% in the absence of wind or at very light wind. Most often, fogs form in closed basins, on lakes or swamps.

The territory of Belarus is located in a zone of sufficient moisture. The average annual rainfall ranges from 500 to 700 mm per year. The distribution of precipitation is influenced by the relief and the nature of cyclonic activity. Precipitation increases at higher elevations, especially on their windward slopes. The lowlands and lee slopes of the uplands receive much less precipitation.

In the distribution of precipitation over the territory of Belarus, the main regularity can be traced: the amount of precipitation decreases from the northwest to the southeast. The wettest season of the year in the country is summer (July, August), and the driest season is winter (January, February). Near70% all precipitation falls in the warm season - from April to October.

In terms of precipitation, winter 2003-2004. was unique. During the season, an average of 181 mm of precipitation fell across the country (157% of the norm), the largest number in the Vitebsk region - 201 mm (176%), the smallest in Brest -139 mm (125%). This amount of precipitation over the past60 years have never been noted.

In general, there are 160-190 days with precipitation on the territory of the country. In the autumn-winter period, due to a decrease in air temperature, drizzling rains and low-intensity snowfalls often occur.

The following climatic regions are distinguished on the territory of Belarus:

. North - moderately warm, humid;

. Central - warm, moderately humid;

. South - warm, unstable wet.

The northern region occupies the northern part of the country. Within this area, the air temperature in July is 4-16.5 °С - 4-18 °С, in January - from -6.5 °С to -8.5 °С. The duration of the spring-summer period is 133-145 days, and the duration of the growing season is 178-188 days. This area often experiences spring and autumn frosts. According to its temperature regime, the region is moderately warm. On average, about 600 mm of precipitation falls per year; on hills - 650 mm and more.

The central region is central part countries. It is warmer and less humid than the northern one. For example, the average temperatures in July are +17.6 °С - +18.7 °С, in January they change from -4.9 °С in the west to -8.2 °С in the east. Precipitation within this area falls 500-600 mm, and only in some places - up to 700 mm.

The southern region is southern part countries and is characterized by warmer climatic conditions than the northern and central regions. Average temperatures in January vary from -4 °С in the west to -7 °С in the east, in July - from +18 °С in the west to +19.5 °С in the east. Spring and summer in this part come much earlier than in the northern and central parts. The growing season is 191-209 days. Precipitation falls from 520 to 630 mm. Within the southern region, there is a certain lack of moisture in the summer, so this region is considered as unstable wet.

Each region is divided into western (less continental) and eastern (more continental) sub-regions according to the degree of continentality, determined by the number of days with air temperatures from 5 ° С to 15 ° С. In the western sub-regions, there are more than 40% of such days, in the eastern - less than 40%.

The climate of Belarus is continental, with cold winter and relatively warm summers. The continental climate of Belarus is felt the more clearly, the closer the region is to the center of the European continent and to the East European Plain. However, the country is subject to different air masses coming from Russia or the Arctic, the Atlantic region or the Mediterranean, so Belarus can experience drastic changes in air temperature and climate.

Rainfall is about 700 millimeters per year, and this amount falls evenly throughout the year, although there is a little more precipitation in summer due to thunderstorms passing in daytime.

Winter in Belarus

Winters in the country are cold, with average air temperatures usually below freezing, even during the daytime. This temperature persists for several months. AT Western cities(Brest, Grodno) warmer, average temperature air in January here is about -3°C, while in the eastern regions it ranges from -4.5°C (in Minsk) to -7°C (the easternmost regions).

In the eastern part of the country, snow lasts about a month longer (about four months) than in the western part (three months).

The coldest periods are those when the Siberian anticyclone reaches the country. During these periods, the air temperature can drop to -30°C.

Spring in Belarus

In spring, the air temperature in the country rises sharply. Melting begins in March or April. In early April, ice and snow may still remain, and at the end of the month, the first real warm days, with an air temperature of 25°C or more.

Summer in Belarus

Summer in the country is very warm, and, unlike winter, in the northeastern regions it is even warmer than in the northwestern. Average maximum temperatures range from 20-21°C in northwestern cities to 23-24°C in central regions countries (including Minsk), and up to 24-25°C in the south-east of the country.

AT summer time hot periods, when the air temperature can reach 30°C, alternate with cooler periods, which are regulated by cool and humid Atlantic currents.

Autumn in Belarus

Autumn in the country is short. In autumn, the air temperature drops sharply, and the weather becomes cloudy, rainy, and foggy. The first snow usually falls in November, and sometimes in October.

The climate of Belarus in numbers

The table below shows the average minimum and maximum air temperatures in the capital of Belarus, Minsk, throughout the year.