Chelyabinsk has a sharply continental climate. Winters are long and cold, with temperatures regularly dropping below −20°C from December through February. Snow cover is reliable from November to March, and the city functions well in these conditions — locals are hardy and infrastructure copes. Summer (June–August) is warm and often sunny, with temperatures reaching 25–30°C, and this is generally the most pleasant time to visit. Spring and autumn are short and can be muddy.
The annual Organ Music Festival, held in autumn, draws performers and audiences from across Russia. In winter, watching Traktor HC play ice hockey at home is an experience unto itself — tickets are affordable and the atmosphere is fierce.