Belarus Weather, climate and geography

Weather and climate

Best time to visit

Belarus enjoys a seasonal, continental climate with long, cold winters and warm, temperate summers. It experiences huge temperature fluctuations throughout the year, with the extremes of each season ensuring that Belarus isn't a typical year-round destination for tourists.

The best time to visit is during the warmer months from May to September when the days are longest and the weather is mild. In July and August temperatures can reach highs of 25°C (77°F) although the average is 18°C (64°F). Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the Belarusian countryside and forage in the forests for wild berries.

Winter starts in December and finishes in February, with temperatures hitting lows of -4°C (24.8°F) on average. In Eastern parts of the country the snow lasts around a month longer, so winter often lasting four months rather than the usual three.

Once spring arrives and the 'thaw' begins, temperatures increase rapidly, and while it's uncommon, April can creep into the mid 20's°C (70's°F), so travelling in spring is also a viable option for tourists looking to save some money and enjoy Belarus at an off-peak time of year.

Rain is also common in Belarus, with between 5 and 7 days of precipitation on average per month – the volume of this can fluctuate, with Belarus receiving 600-700mm of rainfall annually.

Minsk, the capital, is situated in the heart of Belarus and experiences both the heat of summer and the cold of winter. July and August are peak season for Minsk in terms of weather, with average temperatures of 26°C (79°F) throughout the days in August and lows of 15°C (60°F) during August nights. The humidity level in summer is much higher in Minsk, so the chance of precipitation is also increased.

Brest is centrally located and experiences similar weather to Minsk. With the August average reaching a balmy 27°C (81°F) in the day and 15°C (60°F) at night, the climate is comparable to the capital if not slightly warmer. Brest is more humid than its Eastern counterpart however, and rain is more likely. The peak time to visit Brest is in the heart of summer during July, so bear this in mind when arranging travel.

Required clothing

In the winter you'll need to account for cold temperatures, so wearing medium to heavyweight clothing is advisable. Jeans, knits and heavy coats, as well as good boots are a minimum requirement. In the summer, depending on whereabouts you’re visiting, thinner cottons, linens, shorts and t-shirts will be fine. Waterproofs are advisable throughout the year due to the prevalence of rain.

Geography

Bordered by Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine and the Russian Federation, Belarus is a landlocked, relatively flat country, crisscrossed by thousands of streams and major rivers such as the Dnieper. Its landscape is characterised by rich forests, which make up approximately 40% of the country, as well as uplands and lowlands created by glacial movements during the last Ice Age. These are responsible for the Belarusian ridge, which runs diagonally across the country from its mid-west to north-east. Straddling the border between Belarus and Poland is Białowieża Forest, one of the last stretches of Europe's primeval forests and home to approximately 800 bison. The Palyessye plain, a swampy lowland in the southwest of Belarus was severely affected by the Chernobyl disaster and much of the area is off-limits as it is now part of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.