Moldavian climate

Moldova’s climate is temperate continental with mild short winters and long hot summers. The atmospheric air circulation is characterized by the prevalence of the western warm and sometimes very humid air masses from the Atlantic.

Occasionally, air masses from other regions come to Moldova as well – such as the warm and humid air from the Mediterranean, which brings with it abundant rainfall; the dry temperate continental air from the Eastern and South-Eastern parts of the Eastern European Plain causes droughts; and the cold Arctic air causing dramatic weather changes.

The temperature is characterized with positive year averages for Moldova’s territory, varying from +7.5°C in the North, to +10°C in the South. Negative daily averages are registered only in winter. The January average is -4°C; the June average is +21°C. The lowest temperature ever registered in Moldova was -36°С; the highest temperature was +41°C.

The average annual rainfall varies between 380-550 mm. Thus, Moldova’s territory is in an insufficient rainfall zone. The rainfall differs from year to year and from season to season. The period from April to October accounts for approximately 70% of the annual rainfall.

The average annual wind velocity is not high: 2-4 mps. Cyclones often bring with them atmospheric vortexes and strong stormy winds with the speed of 10-15 mps.
The strengths of Moldova’s climate include high temperatures, abundance of sunshine and a lengthy vegetation period. Its weaknesses include: deficit of moisture (low rainfall) sometimes resulting in droughts and rain showers during the warm season, which can cause soil erosion.