Russian weather, particularly for foreigners, seems to be clouded in myths and legends of a cold wasteland, snowbound throughout the year, with a stinging wind blowing the inhabitants bones with a chilling sting. At least that’s what could be heard and seen from the global mass-media and Hollywood. These are all stereotypes, of course, and we’re going to dispel them in this article.

First of all, Russia is a huge country, spanning its climatic zones from polar arctic to subtropical and everything in between.

A cold and arid wasteland

To be frank, there are places in Russia where even the most stubborn mythbuster could freeze to death in a matter of minutes. Eastern Siberia is the host for such extreme temperatures as -70°C (-90°F) in winter, and 37° C (98° F) in summer. Quite a range, isn’t it? That’s what continental weather is all about: the further you go inland, the less the oceans influence the weather with their moderating temperatures. It’s one of the most extreme places to live in, and that’s why this part of Russia is not so densely populated.

A moderate retreat

The farther you move from the extreme temperatures of Siberia, the more moderate the weather becomes. And in the European part of Russia, where the majority of the population is located, the weather is just as normal is in Germany, France or the Mid-West region of the USA. Although being slightly continental, the weather here is being affected by the Black Sea and the Baltic, so the temperature range is less extreme. Typically, the average temperature in the European part of Russia ranges from -11°C (12°F) in winter to 21°C (71°F) in summer, being somewhere in between in spring and autumn.

The hot summer resort

The southern parts of Russia are predominantly warm, with some desert, mountains and a subtropical touch near the Black and Caspian seas. Although not huge territories, these parts of Russia share similar weather and temperature ranges as that of Turkey or even Northern Africa. This is where Russians go for vacation, and it is here your chances of finding a hot Russian lady, who is looking for adventure, rise exponentially.

As you can see, Russia is not only home to polar bears: it is home to people of many nationalities as well as several climate zones. So the next time when you plan on hitting a trip to Russia, remember to check on which place exactly you are going to stay at. This could save you a lot of nerves as well as luggage weight and money.