Weather locations in Lithuania

Lithuania sits on the south-eastern corner of the Baltic, and its climate is cool and transitional, between the maritime weather of the Atlantic and the more continental conditions of the Russian interior. Vilnius, the capital, averages about -4 °C in January and roughly 18 °C in July, with annual rainfall near 550 to 600 millimetres. The coastal belt along the Baltic and the Curonian Spit is milder and wetter, with sea fog moderating summer heat.

Main climate types

The country is usually classified as a temperate continental climate, with a boreal tendency northwards. What matters most is the gradient from coast to inland: the west, around Klaipėda, has shorter winters, cooler summers and a longer frost-free period, while the east, around Vilnius and Varėna, has colder winters, warmer summers and larger temperature swings. The Samogitian uplands add relief and a little more rain.

Temperatures

Monthly means in Vilnius run from about -4 °C in January to about 18 °C in July, and winter lows of -20 °C or colder are not unusual inland, though rarer near the coast. Summers bring long, bright evenings, with the high 20s °C in July and August on a warm day. Snow covers the ground for part of most winters, generally from December into early March.

Rainfall

Annual totals are modest and fall fairly evenly through the year, with a slightly wetter period in late summer and early autumn. Most rain arrives as rain rather than snow, and thunderstorms are common in July and August. The coast gets a little more, particularly in the autumn, while the inland lake district can be foggy and damp on cold mornings.

When to go

Summer, from June to August, is the peak season, with long daylight and the country's many outdoor festivals. May and September are quieter and better value. Winter attracts visitors for Christmas markets, skating and the coastal dunes, but should be planned around snow and temperatures below freezing, which can affect road conditions east of the capital.