Latvia - When to Visit

When to Visit Latvia

Climate guide & best times to travel

Monthly Climate Data for Latvia Average temperature and rainfall by month Climate Overview -9°C 0°C 9°C 18°C 28°C Rainfall (mm) 0 39 78 Jan Jan: 0.0°C high, -4.0°C low, 46mm rain Feb Feb: 0.0°C high, -4.0°C low, 41mm rain Mar Mar: 4.0°C high, -1.0°C low, 33mm rain Apr Apr: 11.0°C high, 2.0°C low, 36mm rain May May: 17.0°C high, 8.0°C low, 48mm rain Jun Jun: 21.0°C high, 12.0°C low, 66mm rain Jul Jul: 23.0°C high, 14.0°C low, 79mm rain Aug Aug: 22.0°C high, 14.0°C low, 79mm rain Sep Sep: 17.0°C high, 9.0°C low, 66mm rain Oct Oct: 10.0°C high, 4.0°C low, 76mm rain Nov Nov: 4.0°C high, 1.0°C low, 56mm rain Dec Dec: 1.0°C high, -2.0°C low, 51mm rain Temperature Rainfall
Latvia occupies that exact corner of northern Europe where seasons do not drift, they arrive with full conviction. The country keeps a classic continental beat: icy winters, a brief yet surprisingly warm summer, and two shoulder seasons that swing from charming to bleak year by year. What sets Latvia apart is the swing itself. January highs linger at 0°C (32°F), yet July afternoons can hit 23°C (74°F). That sounds mild until you add the long Baltic daylight. Midsummer gifts almost nineteen hours of light, stretching every day in ways travelers quickly learn to love. Rainfall spreads fairly evenly across the calendar, though late summer and October usually tip the scale. There is no monsoon, no dramatic tropical toggle. Instead, the pattern is quiet. Winter stays cold and grey under heavy cloud, snow flits in and out. Spring creeps forward, hesitant. Summer has a short, real warmth. Autumn paints the forests amber before the cold locks back in. Humidity hovers near 70% all year, feeling heavier in summer simply because heat magnifies it. One warning before you plan: Latvia can pivot without notice. March may open with snow and close with mild sun. August can promise heat then hand you a week of rain. The averages give a fair baseline. Yet flexibility pays off, in the shoulder months.

Best Time to Visit

Recommended timing for different travel styles.

Beach
July and August form the obvious window. Latvia's Baltic coastline, around Jūrmala, fills up because the sea is as warm as it ever gets and the endless daylight makes beach hours feel lavish. Expect more rain than any other season, so a flawless week is never assured. Still, the odds tilt in your favor.
Cultural
Late May through June lands the sweet spot. Cities and towns wake as the air softens. The famous Latvian Song and Dance Festival lands somewhere in this stretch every other year. Crowds have not yet peaked. Riga in June, its Art Nouveau facades glowing and outdoor tables finally full, is a joy.
Adventure
September deserves serious thought. Rain eases off its August high. The forests of Gauja National Park flare into color. Daytime highs linger around 17°C (63°F) and the summer masses have gone home. It is Latvia's most photogenic season for anyone crossing the landscape.
Budget
The shoulder months of March-April and October-November bring lower hotel rates and fewer foreign faces. October's foliage and brooding skies hold their own magic if you can handle rain and cooling air.

What to Pack

Essentials and seasonal recommendations for Latvia.

Year-Round Essentials
a waterproof outer layer
since rain can arrive with little warning in any month
Bring a versatile mid-layer. It slides under a winter coat in January and works solo in July.
None
comfortable walking shoes with some waterproofing
because Latvia's cobblestone streets in Riga and forest paths alike demand it
a small umbrella or packable rain hat
None
a power adapter
Latvia runs on Type C and Type F plugs at 230V and 50Hz. Dual-voltage phones and laptops need only the plug adapter. Leave the converter at home.
winter
Clothing
thermal underlayers, a warm coat rated for temperatures below freezing
Footwear
insulated and waterproof boots
Accessories
gloves, a hat that covers your ears
Layering Tip
Latvian cold is damp and patient. It creeps in, not slaps you. Stack layers instead of banking on one bulky coat.
spring and autumn
Clothing
a medium-weight jacket, flexible layers
Footwear
waterproof footwear
Layering Tip
April and October flip from sun to sleet within hours. Pack pieces you can peel off or pile on.
summer
Clothing
light clothing, at least one warmer layer for evenings
Accessories
insect repellent
Layering Tip
Midsummer mosquitoes patrol Latvia's forests and wetlands. Tuck repellent into your bag.
Plug Type
Type C and Type F
Voltage
230V
Adapter Note
plug adapter
Skip These Items
heavy formal wear (Latvians dress neatly but practically for most occasions) Skip sandals as your only footwear. Cobblestones punish thin soles and sudden rain soaks them. High-SPF sunscreen is overkill for most days. Light sun protection is plenty in summer. travel-size fans or cooling gear Leave tropical gear behind. Even July feels mild compared with equatorial heat.
Full Packing Checklist

Interactive checklist with shopping links for every item you need.

View Latvia Packing List →

Month-by-Month Guide

Climate conditions and crowd levels for each month of the year.

January

January sits at the core of Baltic winter. Highs struggle past 0°C (32°F) and lows sink to -4°C (24°F). Snow is possible, never certain. Days are short. The cities glow with lantern light and feel cozier after dark.

High 0°C (32°F)
Low -4°C (24°F)
Rainfall None
Crowds Low
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February

February is winter's echo. Highs still hover near 0°C (32°F) and lows around -4°C (24°F). Rainfall dips slightly, often arriving as snow or sleet. It is a quiet month. Latvia's museums and amber galleries feel like perfect shelters.

High 0°C (32°F)
Low -4°C (24°F)
Rainfall None
Crowds Low
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March

March offers the first shy hints of spring. Highs inch to 4°C (39°F) and lows to -1°C (30°F). Mornings stay cold, late snow still threatens. Rainfall falls, making March one of the drier months. Do not expect warmth. Yet the light is returning.

High 4°C (39°F)
Low -1°C (30°F)
Rainfall None
Crowds Low
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April

April is the month that can flip either way. Highs reach 11°C (52°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F). You will likely need a coat at dawn and may ditch it by noon. Countryside turns green. Riga's parks fill with locals who have waited months for this.

High 11°C (52°F)
Low 2°C (36°F)
Rainfall None
Crowds Low to Medium
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May

May is when Latvia starts to feel like a destination. Highs at 17°C (63°F) and lows at 8°C (46°F) make for easy days. Outdoor culture wakes up. Rain rises a notch from March or April yet stays moderate. Trees leaf out fully, festivals dot the calendar.

High 17°C (63°F)
Low 8°C (46°F)
Rainfall None
Crowds Medium
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June

June kicks off real summer. Highs near 21°C (70°F) and lows at 12°C (54°F). The extraordinary midsummer daylight becomes impossible to miss. Around the solstice the sun barely sets. Rain also climbs, so expect warm days with showers woven in.

High 21°C (70°F)
Low 12°C (54°F)
Rainfall None
Crowds High
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July

July is Latvia's warmest month. Highs hit 23°C (74°F) and lows rest at 14°C (57°F). It is also the wettest, with about 79mm of rainfall. Yet showers are brief and warmth bounces back fast. The Baltic coast pulls visitors from across the region. Jūrmala buzzes.

High 23°C (74°F)
Low 14°C (57°F)
Rainfall 79mm
Crowds High
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August

August mirrors July almost exactly. Highs at 22°C (72°F), lows at 14°C (57°F), rainfall again around 79mm. Summer energy holds. Days stay long even as they shorten. It is the most reliably warm month for lingering at an outdoor table in Riga's Old Town.

High 22°C (72°F)
Low 14°C (57°F)
Rainfall 79mm
Crowds High
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September

September is Latvia's slow exhale. Highs slip to 17°C (63°F) and lows to 9°C (49°F). Walking, hiking, exploring all stay pleasant. Yet you will want a layer after sunset. Rain eases from the summer crest and the forests begin their color shift.

High 17°C (63°F)
Low 9°C (49°F)
Rainfall None
Crowds Medium
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October

October turns sharply colder. Highs fall to 10°C (50°F) and lows to 4°C (40°F). It is the second-wettest month at 76mm of rainfall. Still, the autumn blaze across Latvia's forests can stop you in your tracks. Quieter Riga streets reward a slower pace.

High 10°C (50°F)
Low 4°C (40°F)
Rainfall 76mm
Crowds Low to Medium
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November

December is when winter finally shows up. Highs hover at 4°C (39°F), lows drop to 1°C (34°F). Grey drizzle delivers 56mm of rainfall across the month. Christmas markets begin in late November. Riga glows. Outdoor plans will suffer, so come for the mood.

High 4°C (39°F)
Low 1°C (34°F)
Rainfall 56mm
Crowds Low
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December

January locks Latvia into full winter. Expect highs around 1°C (34°F) and lows at -2°C (28°F). Snow starts to stick. Latvia claims the first decorated Christmas tree. Riga's Old Town wraps that heritage in lights and mulled wine. The cold stays sharp. Yet the streets feel warm.

High 1°C (34°F)
Low -2°C (28°F)
Rainfall None
Crowds Low, with a bump around Christmas
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