Climate

Climate of the park is gently continental. Its characteristic feature is transportation of the air from west to east, and as a result air masses, which have been formed over the North Atlantic, are coming here the whole year round. Considerable influence of the Arctic – intrusion of its air masses causes biting falls of temperature not only in the winter but also in the summer. At the same time replacement of the air masses occurs as a result of intense cyclonic activity, which predominates in all seasons.

 

Territory of the park is situated in between latitude 62^о and 64^о North and receives not enough of sunlight. Because of that winter here is the longest season. Climate of the park is gently continental; its characteristic feature is frequent arrival of cyclones, forming in North Atlantic. In the winter time the bring thaws and abundant snowfalls. Coldest months are January and February. Average temperature of many years of January on Vodlozero is -11,3^о С, but in cold winters mercury can go down up to - 40^о С.

 

Nature wakes up from the winter sleep by the end of April. The ice breaks up on the rivers in the last decade of April, but the ice on the lakes stays up to middle of May. This is the time when rapids are in full swing, birds come flying, and bear wakes up. On well warmed places appear plants-primroses such as coltsfoot and violet.

 

Summer in park is rather warm and rainy. Average temperature of the warmest month – July – is only 16^о С, but often it can rise up to 30^о С. Average temperature of the water in July reaches 18-20^о С. From the end of May up to August a period of white nights is settled when an evening-glow and dawn turn into each other.

 

In autumn nature prepares to rest. In September is possible to pick up harvest of mushrooms, forest and marsh berries. Over enormous park countless flocks of swans, ducks, geese and cranes fly. Here remain only several  dozens spices of birds which are adapted to inclement and long winter – capercailye, black grouse, and willow grouse. In the beginning of October first frost appears and from the middle of November snow falls and stable frosts comes. Live in the forest stands motionless.