\u{201c}“The Bible says that rain fell for 40 days and 40 nights. They called it a terrible disaster. In St. Petersburg it is called summer.”
If you think that Saint Petersburg is the Hermitage, drawbridges and “White Nights”, then most likely you have never been to Petersburg in July. Or you have been, but got soaked to the bone within five minutes of arrival and decided that this is a local tradition — to greet guests with a refreshing shower from the heavens. And you know, you would not be far from the truth. Rain in Petersburg is not just a weather phenomenon. It is a cultural code, it is a national idea, it is, finally, the main topic of conversation that will never run dry. While Muscovites discuss traffic jams, we, Petersburgers, discuss rain. Yesterday's, today's, tomorrow's. And it seems the whole world revolves around one simple truth: it rains in Petersburg. Always.
Chapter 1. Statistics are stubborn, but not in Petersburg
Let's start with facts to dispel myths and establish new ones. According to long-term observations, St. Petersburg receives an average of about 662 millimeters of precipitation per year. For comparison: Moscow — 708 millimeters. That is, in terms of total precipitation, the capital even surpasses us. But there is one nuance. In Moscow, rains are events. They come, make noise, leave, and you can live again. In St. Petersburg, rain is a state of mind. It is not an event, it is a background. According to statistics, there are about 200 rainy days a year in the city on the Neva. And there are no more than 30 cloudless days.
But the most interesting thing is how precipitation is distributed. The bulk, about 70%, occurs in the warm period. That is, when you, a naive tourist, plan a vacation in July, you find yourself in the most "watery" season. The average temperature in July is +22 °C, but that does not mean you won't freeze under a downpour that can last for several days in a row. In August, the most precipitation falls — 81 millimeters. But for St. Petersburg this is not a record. In some years, for example, in July 2025, the monthly precipitation reached 213.4 mm. And this, you must agree, is no longer rain, but a small flood that just decided to stay as a guest.
Chapter 2. Types of rain: from “unbelievable” to “Thursday drizzle”
Petersburgers are people of subtle spiritual organization. We don't just say “rain.” We distinguish dozens of its shades and characters. As true connoisseurs, we have given each rain a name.
Here, for example, is “unbelievable” (from the English unbelievable). This type of rain is familiar to every tourist who naively believed that jokes about St. Petersburg weather are just jokes. The “unbelievable” falls on your head on the very first day of vacation and can last 6 days out of 5, showing all its relentlessness. Did you come for a week? Great, you will see all the sights through a veil of water. It's atmospheric.
There is also rain “like from a bucket” — when you leave the house and after three seconds you feel like you have bathed in the Gulf of Finland. There is “spy rain” — it goes unnoticed, with small drops that creep under your collar and collar, creating the feeling that you are sitting in a cold pool.
And there is also “Thursday drizzle”. Petersburgers have a special attitude towards it. If you have planned something important for Thursday, rest assured — the drizzle will come and make it unforgettable. It is a kind of omen: rain on Thursday — to good luck. Or to a cold. But we do not complain.
Chapter 3. Myths and reality: is it the rainiest?
There is a persistent myth that St. Petersburg is the rainiest city in the world. And although meteorologists have long debunked this misconception, pointing out that even in Russia there are cities with much more precipitation (for example, Severo-Kurilsk with its 1800 mm per year), in people's minds St. Petersburg will forever remain the capital of rains. And you know, we even like it. This is our brand. This is our highlight. Who would go to a city where it is always sunny and dry? Boring!
As one weather forecaster rightly noted: “The fact that St. Petersburg is a rainy city is a myth. In fact, Moscow is a much rainier city.” But try to explain this to a tourist who arrived for the weekend and got caught in a downpour. He will stand under the canopy of the Kazan Cathedral and curse all the St. Petersburg gods. And he will be right. Because in St. Petersburg even dry statistics turn into wet reality.
Scientific factAccording to Roshydromet, the average annual precipitation in St. Petersburg is 662 mm, and in Moscow — 708 mm. — St. Petersburg is NOT the rainiest city. But when you are standing on Nevsky Prospect in the rain, you don't give a damn about science.Chapter 4. How to survive in St. Petersburg: practical tips
If you nevertheless decide to visit the Northern Capital or, God forbid, move here, you will need not only a city map, but also full-fledged equipment for survival in conditions of high humidity. Here are a few simple rules that will help you not to drown and keep your peace of mind.
- An umbrella is not a luxury, but a means of transportation. Never leave home without an umbrella. Even if the sun is shining outside. Believe me, in five minutes the sun will hide and the “unbelievable” will begin.
- Shoes must be waterproof. Forget about suede and textiles. Your feet will thank you for good rubber boots. Or, as a last resort, for two pairs of socks and plastic bags.
- Learn to determine the weather by passers‑by. If people walk with their heads bowed and clutching umbrellas — it's windy. If seagulls are walking — that's still light wind. If a person opened an umbrella and remained in place — that means complete calm.
- Accept the rain as a given. Don't try to fight it. Accept it. Rain is part of you. You are part of the rain. This is karma.
Chapter 5. Rain as an engine of economy and culture
Do not think that rain is only about dampness and depression. In St. Petersburg, rain is an engine of progress. Firstly, it creates jobs. Manufacturers of umbrellas, raincoats and rubber boots pray for the St. Petersburg weather. Secondly, rain stimulates the development of domestic tourism. Where else to go to feel the fullness of life if not to the city where the sky cries every day? Thirdly, rain is an inspiration for artists, poets and musicians. How many poems are dedicated to St. Petersburg rains! How many songs! How many paintings! Without rain, St. Petersburg would be just a big museum. With rain, it is alive, breathing, real.
And rain is also a great conversation starter. With a stranger in a queue, with a seller in a store, with a colleague at work. “What weather, huh?” — this phrase unites millions. It breaks down all barriers. It brings us closer. In this sense, rain is not an enemy, but a friend. Wet, cold, but a friend.
\u{201c}“A newcomer asks a Petersburger: 'Do you have any local signs by which you predict the weather?' — 'Sure. If I look out the window and see rain, it means it will rain today.'”
Chapter 6. The bottom line: rain is forever
Summing up, we can confidently say: rain in St. Petersburg is not a bug, it's a feature. It is not a problem, it is a solution. It is not a punishment, but a blessing. Thanks to the rain, we, Petersburgers, have learned to appreciate every ray of sunshine, every minute of dry weather. We have become more patient, more philosophical, more hardened. Literally and figuratively.
So, if you are planning a trip to St. Petersburg, do not forget to take an umbrella, warm clothes, waterproof shoes and, most importantly, a sense of humour. Because without it there is nothing to do in St. Petersburg. And if the rain does take you by surprise, just smile and say: “Welcome to St. Petersburg!”
And, of course, do not forget to save this page to re‑read it in moments of particularly heavy downpours:
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