Late summer remains warm and suits travel to urban and coastal destinations; rural areas are at their most accessible. It's still peak season for many regions, and accommodation fills up in popular locations.
Average daily low and high (°C) and monthly rainfall. The badge shows how it feels, allowing for humidity.
Average temperature across Russia in August.
St. Petersburg, Murmansk, Kola Coast
August delivers sustained warmth and the final stretch of White Nights events in the north; St. Petersburg can be pleasantly warm but still prone to summer rain. The Arctic coast is at its greenest and good for whale-watching or birding, but campers should expect chilly nights and variable weather. Late-summer is a great time for kayaking around the coastal archipelagos if you have flexible plans for wind-related cancellations.
Moscow, Golden Ring, Smolensk
August often keeps summer’s warmth but also brings the first hints of autumn by month’s end; cultural festivals persist in Moscow while the Golden Ring offers quieter wandering among onion-domed churches. Rainfall can be heavier in August, with occasional thunderstorms that interrupt outdoor plans. Pack a lightweight rain jacket, and consider weekday visits to major attractions to avoid weekend domestic crowds.
Kazan, Samara, Yekaterinburg, Volgograd
August keeps summer warmth but also carries occasional thunderstorms that can interrupt outdoor plans; evening temperatures remain comfortable in most towns. This is harvest time in rural areas and a great period for local food markets in Kazan and Samara. For travellers, late-season river cruises still operate and weekday travel avoids the weekend peaks.
Sochi, Krasnodar, Anapa
August continues the peak-season hustle with warm waters and sustained beach activity; afternoon thunderstorms can occasionally break the heat but rarely dampen the mood for long. The Black Sea’s coastal microclimate keeps evenings balmy, while higher elevations remain noticeably cooler. Expect lively markets and packed restaurants; pack light clothing plus something warmer for night-time mountain excursions.
Mount Elbrus, Dombay, Mineralnye Vody
August offers warm valley days and steady conditions on classic routes, but afternoon storms can develop, producing sudden lightning hazards above tree line. Summit attempts on Elbrus continue through early August; later in the month retreating crowds make mountain huts quieter and paths less trodden. Expect good berry-picking and late-season grazing livestock that make valleys lively and colourful.
Novosibirsk, Tomsk, Krasnoyarsk region
August keeps summer conditions but begins the slow slide back toward cooler nights and clearer air; fall colours start in upland areas late in the month. River cruises still operate and berry-picking is popular in wooded areas. Travellers should enjoy fewer bugs than July in many places and plan for variable afternoon storms in inland stretches.
Vladivostok, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Kurils
August continues the short summer with productive wildlife viewing and accessible hiking routes; afternoon showers and coastal fogs remain possible and sea conditions can be choppy. This is also when typhoon remnants occasionally reach the region, producing stormy weather and disrupted ferry and flight services - monitor forecasts. Travellers should plan buffer days for regional transport.
Moscow City Day in early September regionally has events and festivals, with many cultural activities continuing through late summer.
See how August compares with the rest of the year, then read the full guide.