Russia's largest island, Sakhalin, is located off the east coast of Asia. Its shores are washed by the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan, the Tatar Strait separates the territory from the mainland, the southern and middle parts are rich in large bays, and from the eastern outskirts, characterized by a flat coastline, numerous rivers go into the sea through deep hollows. All these factors largely determine the climate of Sakhalin.
Features of the microclimate in different parts of the island
It is not surprising that different parts of Sakhalin have their own special microclimate and different temperature conditions, because the territory of the island occupies a huge area - 76,400 km². Despite the severity of the climate, Sakhalin still belongs to the monsoon zone of temperate latitudes.
Coldest of all in Poronaysky, Tymovsky and Okha districts, where winter temperatures drop to -40-50 °С. But in summer there is a real heat here: the thermometer can show +35 °С.
In the north of Sakhalin, the average January temperature is-16 … -24 °С, in the south - from -8 to -18 °С. August, which is the warmest month of the year, warms up the northern territories to +12…+17 °С, and southern Sakhalin pampers the inhabitants of the island with weather up to +16…+18 °С.
Seasonal weather
Snowy Sakhalin winter lasts a long time and is accompanied by frequent snowstorms and snowstorms. The weather on Sakhalin during the winter months is severe. The island literally fills up with tons of snow, which is brought by cyclones following one after another. These periods may be accompanied by hurricane-force winds with powerful gusts up to 40 m/sec. The average temperature in January varies from -23°C in the northwest and inland to -8°C in the southeast.
A lingering and rather cold spring shrouds the island in fogs and unexpected snowfalls, which sometimes occur even during flowering periods.
Sakhalin's summer is very short and cool, accompanied by endless rains. This is due to the movement of ice from the Sea of Okhotsk along the eastern coast to the south. The average temperature in August ranges from +13 °С in the north to +18 °С in the southern regions.
If we talk about the most pleasant and warm season on the island, then this is the golden autumn. Mild sunny weather pleases the inhabitants and guests of the island and is conducive to relaxation. Only short-term August frosts, which sometimes occur in the Tym River valley, as well as powerful heavy winds that cause a strong storm, can surprise you. Such obstinate weather on Sakhalin.
Precipitation mode
Sakhalin climatequite humid, with a third of all precipitation occurring in the cold season in the form of heavy snowfalls.
In different areas of the island, the amount of rain and snow is not the same: the annual amount of precipitation in the northern territories is 500-600 mm, in the valleys of the central part - 800-900 mm, and in the mountains of the southern regions - 1000-1200 mm.
Wind mode
In winter, strong and cold winds blow on Sakhalin, mainly from the north and northwest. Moreover, they are strongest at the northern tip of the island, along with land areas protruding into the sea. Here the wind speed reaches 7-10 meters per second. They are slightly weaker on the western coast of the island - 5-7 m/s, and moderate in the east (3-5 m/s) and in the Tymovsk valley (1.5-3.0 m/s). The summer period is characterized by a south or southeast wind of medium speed, which ranges from 2 to 6 m/s.
The climate of Sakhalin is strongly influenced by the combination of low temperatures and winds in winter, as this is what causes the island's harsh weather conditions.
Climatic regions
The monsoon climate of Sakhalin and many kilometers of meridional extent conditionally divide the island into several climatic regions. Of these, the western coast and the West Sakhalin Mountains, the central part of the Tymovskaya Valley, where weak winds and a large number of sunny days a year prevail, are the most comfortable for people's life.
In addition, the most developed territory is southern Sakhalin, moreother areas adapted for living, recreation in the warm season, as well as agriculture.
Factors affecting the climate of the island
The climate of Sakhalin is primarily affected by the geographical position of the island between 46º and 54º N. latitude. The Siberian anticyclone dictates winter weather with hard frosts. This is especially evident in the central part with a temperate continental climate. Cyclones from the south can bring powerful snowstorms, significantly increasing the snow cover in the southern regions.
Monsoonal climate, warm and humid in summer, due to the geographical location of the island between the Pacific Ocean and the Eurasian continent. And the mountains determine the speed and direction of the winds, protecting the lowlands and the western coast from cold air currents from the Sea of Okhotsk. Spring on Sakhalin is long, and autumn is warm.
In summer, the warm Tsushima current of the Sea of Japan creates a contrast between the western and eastern coasts. This is also the reason why the warmest month of the year is August and the coldest month is February.
In general, this beautiful region surprises not only with its landscape and natural beauties, but also with its harsh climate and uneven temperature regime.
