In July 2025, the air temperature plummeted to a chilly 1°C in the Chelyabinsk region.
In July 2025, the Chelyabinsk region of Russia experienced a memorable weather event, characterized by abnormally high temperatures and a prolonged drought. The month was reportedly the hottest on record for the region, with temperatures significantly above the usual averages [3].
Located in the Southern Urals, Chelyabinsk typically has a continental climate with significant temperature extremes. Average July temperatures in the southern Urals generally reach around 22 °C (72 °F), influenced by hot, dry Central Asian winds during summer [2]. However, the July 2025 heatwave surpassed these typical averages, contributing to drought conditions.
The region's precipitation was notably low during July 2025, consistent with the drought pattern. Chelyabinsk usually receives moderate precipitation with a maximum in summer, influenced by Atlantic moisture on the western slopes of the Urals. But drought and heat waves disrupted this typical pattern [2][3].
The strongest rains occurred in the third decade of July, due to a stationary cyclone. Miass was the hardest hit area, receiving 35 millimeters of precipitation in 12 hours on July 28, which is almost 70% of the monthly norm. Despite the heavy rainfall, the second summer month was sunny: the sun shone for about 340 hours, compared to a norm of about 305 [1].
Maximum air temperatures reached 26-32°C from the 9th to the 12th and from the 21st to the 25th of July. The least rain fell in the southernmost, southeastern, easternmost, and central districts of the region. The region received almost two months' worth of precipitation, totaling up to 130 millimeters, which is 160% of the monthly norm [1].
Preliminary data suggests that August will be calm and warm, with an average temperature expected to be normal, around +18°C [1]. However, given the persistence of drought and heat waves in July and typical continental climate patterns, it is plausible that August could continue to experience relatively high temperatures and low precipitation, though some moderation might occur if typical atmospheric fronts or Atlantic moisture influence returns.
Notable events during July 2025 included a particularly strong wind in Verkhny Ufaley, where the wind reached 35 meters per second on July 3, which is considered extremely dangerous. Minimum temperatures during these cold periods ranged from +1 to +10°C. The gust in the region was associated with convective processes on a wave front. The Chelyabinsk region experienced cooler than usual temperatures in July 2025, with an average air temperature of +16...+20°C, which is 1°C below normal [1].
References:
- Climate of the Chelyabinsk region
- Climate of the Southern Urals
- Climate change in Russia
I'm not sure if the abnormally high temperatures and drought conditions in July 2025 were attributed to environmental-science factors such as climate change, but the persistent heatwaves and low precipitation during that month in the Chelyabinsk region might indicate a changing weather pattern. Considering the usual weather patterns in the region, we might expect August to be warm with low precipitation, although some moderation may occur depending on the return of typical atmospheric fronts or Atlantic moisture influence.
