Lake Taymyr

Lake Large tundra lake in northern Siberia

Above the Arctic Circle in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Lake Taymyr lies in tundra terrain and is visited mainly by scientific teams studying permafrost, freshwater ecology and migratory birds.

Main image

Lake Taymyr is a large freshwater lake on the Taymyr Peninsula in northern Siberia, within Krasnoyarsk Krai. It occupies a remote Arctic landscape characterised by tundra, permafrost and long winters with extended ice cover.

The lake and surrounding area are largely uninhabited and visited mainly by scientific expeditions and specialised tour operators. The environment supports typical Arctic flora and fauna and serves as a site for ecological and geological studies.

The basin and lake formed through glacial and fluvial processes associated with northern Siberia; human presence historically has been minimal compared with southern regions.

Geographically the lake sits north of the Arctic Circle on the Taymyr Peninsula, well inland from the main Arctic shipping lanes and administered as part of Krasnoyarsk Krai.

  • Remoteness: Typical of Arctic freshwater systems with long ice cover each year, the lake lies on the Taymyr Peninsula and is accessible only by long overland or sea expeditions.
  • Environment: Surrounded by tundra and permafrost, it is part of a sparsely populated Arctic landscape important for polar ecology and research.
Lake Taymyr
74.5775, 102.6486

How to Get to Lake Taymyr #

Reaching Taymyr involves long overland logistics from the nearest Siberian settlements or travel by ice-capable vessel in summer. Most visits are scientific expeditions organized through Russian polar research institutions.

Tips for Visiting Lake Taymyr #

  • This is an extreme Arctic environment: ensure expedition-grade equipment and experienced guides if visiting.
  • Research scientific permits and coordinate with Russian authorities for any fieldwork.

Best Time to Visit Lake Taymyr #

Visits are possible only in the brief Arctic summer with specialized logistics; otherwise the region is locked in ice and darkness.

Summer (Jun-Aug)
June-August · -5-5°C
Short period when sea-ice is reduced and some access is possible; long daylight.

Weather & Climate near Lake Taymyr #

Climate

Lake Taymyr's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -37°C to 8°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustNovember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
24°
Warmest Month
-56°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -30°C and lows of -37°C. The driest month with just 12 mm.

Comfort

-33°
Feels Like Freezing
-33°C
Temperature
-37° -30°
97%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

12 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
0.0h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -29°C and lows of -36°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

-33°
Feels Like Freezing
-33°C
Temperature
-36° -29°
97%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

14 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
4.1h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of -26°C and lows of -33°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-29°
Feels Like Freezing
-29°C
Temperature
-33° -26°
97%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

18 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
11.1h daylight

April

April is freezing with highs of -16°C and lows of -25°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

-21°
Feels Like Freezing
-21°C
Temperature
-25° -16°
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

17 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
17.4h daylight

May

May is freezing with highs of -6°C and lows of -13°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-10°
Feels Like Freezing
-10°C
Temperature
-13° -7°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

14 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
23.9h daylight

June

June is cold with highs of 2°C and lows of -2°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

20 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
24.0h daylight

July

July is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
24.0h daylight

August

August is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 35 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

35 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
20.6h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 2°C and lows of -2°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

27 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
13.4h daylight

October

October is freezing with highs of -10°C and lows of -16°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

37 Poor

Comfort

-13°
Feels Like Freezing
-13°C
Temperature
-16° -10°
98%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

26 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.3h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of -21°C and lows of -28°C. Light rainfall.

47 Poor

Comfort

-25°
Feels Like Freezing
-25°C
Temperature
-28° -21°
97%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

17 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
0.3h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -26°C and lows of -32°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

-29°
Feels Like Freezing
-29°C
Temperature
-32° -26°
97%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

16 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
0.0h daylight

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