Tomsk has a sharply continental climate. Winters are long and genuinely cold — January averages around -17°C, and temperatures below -30°C are not unusual. The city is beautiful under snow, with the carved wooden houses covered in white, but travel is hard and daylight is limited to a few hours.
Summer (June to August) is the best time to visit. Temperatures reach 20–25°C, the birch forests around the city are green, and the Tom River is pleasant to walk along. June and July are warm and have long days. August can bring sudden storms.
Spring (April to May) is wet and muddy as the snow melts. Roads in the outskirts become difficult. Autumn (September to October) is brief but often beautiful — clear skies and golden birch leaves before the cold returns. October brings the first frosts.
The Siberian Student Festival (Universiadny Gorodok) and various student events happen in spring and early summer, giving the city an animated feel. Winter offers the experience of genuine Siberian cold, which has its own particular appeal if you are prepared for it.