Climate

Climate. The most favorable time for visiting Kazan.

The climate of Kazan is moderate-continental with warm summer and to some extent frosty winter. The region is situated on the way of movement of the western damp air masses. Moving from Atlantic ocean, they soften a local climate for the considerable extend. Penetration of cold air occurs from the Arctic basin, and warm air comes from the southwest in winter and from the southeast in summer.
The Kazan city landscapes are attractive all four seasons.

Winter - Spring
The average temperature in January is 14°C. In winter cold continental air moves from moderate latitude and brings cloudy weather with frosts. Frosts can reach -30°C, but it happens very seldom. Several rather warm winters occurred in Tatarstan for the last decade. The winter lasts about five months and sets approximately in November, 15.
At this time visit to Kazan can be interesting not only for sightseeing and visiting the entertainment centers.

"Kazan" ski resort is situated 35 km far from the city, in a picturesque place in the junction of the Volga and Sviyaga rivers and is opened for the ski-lovers. The tracks are perfectly illuminated, there are chair lifts, hotel and restaurants. The slopes are covered with snow from December to March.
Open skating rinks operate all the winter period, closed skating rinks operate all the year round.
In January trips to snow-covered Raifa reserve which is 30 minutes drive from Kazan are rather entertaining. To the Epiphany holiday the small ice town is made directly on the lake near the Raifa monastery performing admirable sculptures from the Bible.
Frosty days in most cases come to an end at the middle of April. Usually spring lasts for two months. Sometimes the warm air from the Central Asia comes during the spring period.
By the end of spring it is possible to observe Kazan in all the aspects. Temperature reaches +5-10°С. Ice melts in Kazanka river and the navigation along the Volga river begins - at first the local trips and later, in May, the excursion trips. Amusement parks and aquatic sports clubs begin its work at full capacity.
Spring festivals, fairs, craftworks exhibitions, performances of folk ensembles are held in Kazan during winter holidays such as Kurban-bayram (different time), New Year (December, 31), Christmas (January, 7), Tatyana’s Day - All Students’ Day (January, 25), Nauruz (March, 21), Karavon (end of May).

Summer – Autumn

Average temperature in summer is + 18°С. In the hottest summer days the temperature rises to 30-35°С in the shade, sometimes temperature keeps the whole weeks. The droughts are rare in the area in comparison with many southern regions of Tatarstan. And their intensity is much weaker. The greatest quantity of short-term intensive rains happens in July-August, downpours and even thunder-storms also rather frequent.
At the end of spring Kazan shows its finest water decoration. Kazan is situated on the bank of the Volga river and has a number of water basins within the city boundaries – three Kaban lakes, Bulak channel, Kazanka river. You can hire the catamarans and water skis in the city beaches.
The navigation along the Volga river begins at the beginning of summer. From that moment the excursion starting from the Kazan city River port are organized. There are short routes - to the Makarevsky monastery, to the Sviyazhsk Island. And the long ones – to the ancient city of Bulgar, to the Kamskoe Ustye and also to the largest cities situated on the Volga river.

Horse –racing international competitions are held in the International Equestrian Center "Kazan". In summer during the Sabantuy celebrations more than 200 horses take part in the horse-racing competitions.
The water area of the Volga river is a convenient place for yachting. Nowadays Tatarstan team is regular participant of the different yachting competitions. The competition which gathers about 150 yachts “The Kazan Kremlin Cup” is held in Kazan.
The golf club was opened in the territory of the "Kazan" ski resort last year. The playground was arranged on the ideally flat surface with the natural grass and is situated at the bank of the Sviyaga river, from which the picturesque view at the Volga river bed opens.
Some colourful national holidays are celebrated on the open-air squares of the city in summer and autumn – Sabantuy (beginning of summer) and The City Day (August, 30).
Autumn is a period of numerous cultural events in Kazan. All- Russian and national festivals, autumn ball of poetry, theatre premieres, fairs and exhibitions are held in Kazan in autumn.
Its becoming cold at the end of September when the temperature gradually reaches 0°С, and first snow appears at the end of November.