Climate Overview
The climate in Karachayevsk is cool. The average annual temperature is 5°C and approximately 1393mm of precipitation falls per year. Karachayevsk receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Karachayevsk is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, July, June. The coldest months are January, December, February, when temperatures can drop to -9°C. Karachayevsk experiences heavy snowfall, typically from January through December.
Temperature
Temperatures in Karachayevsk vary considerably across the year, with a 30°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. August is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 21°C with a mean of 15°C. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to -9°C and the daily average is -5°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 11°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between October and November, with a 7°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Karachayevsk is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1393mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 116mm per month. The wettest month is May, averaging 210mm of rainfall. June and July also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is November, with just 51mm. That's 159mm less than May, the wettest month. Precipitation varies noticeably between seasons, with the first half (January to June) of the year generally seeing more rainfall. Karachayevsk receives heavy snowfall, accumulating around 367cm annually from January through December. The snowiest month is March, with approximately 83cm. Winter travel should account for significant snow cover.
Wind
Karachayevsk is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 2km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is December, averaging 2km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in July, with average winds dropping to 1km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 1km/h between the calmest and windiest months.
Seasons
88 days until Autumn
It is currently summer in Karachayevsk, which began on June 21, 2026. Karachayevsk is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in August at around 21°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near -9°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 88 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from -4 to 15°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 430mm across the season with a monthly average of 143mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 2km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 7 to 21°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 542mm across the season with a monthly average of 181mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.
Autumn
Temperatures range from -5 to 18°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 227mm for the season, averaging 76mm per month. Expect around 57cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from -9 to 2°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 193mm for the season, averaging 64mm per month. Expect around 172cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 2km/h. Warm winter clothing and waterproof boots are a must, and travel may be affected by snow.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Karachayevsk based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.