In Moscow, you should wear warm layers, thermal clothing, and a heavy coat during the colder months. Moscow experiences long, harsh winters with temperatures often dropping below freezing, so dressing in insulated and waterproof clothing is essential. In summer, light and breathable fabrics are suitable, as the weather can be pleasantly warm, but always bring a jacket or sweater for cooler evenings.
What To Wear in Moscow By Month from January To December
Moscow’s weather can change dramatically from month to month, requiring careful consideration of your wardrobe. With temperatures ranging from freezing cold in winter to mild warmth in summer, it’s important to dress accordingly for each season.
What To Wear in Moscow in January?
In January, you should wear thermal layers, a heavy down coat, insulated boots, and warm accessories such as hats, gloves, and scarves. Moscow experiences freezing temperatures, with regular snowfall and icy streets. Be prepared for very cold days, especially with the wind chill.
Dressing for January:
- Thermal underwear and base layers
- Wool sweaters
- Heavy down coat with a hood
- Insulated waterproof boots
- Wool hats, scarves, and gloves
Weather Conditions:
- Average temperature: -10°C to -15°C (14°F to 5°F)
- Heavy snowfall and icy streets
- Limited daylight, about 6 hours per day
What To Wear in Moscow in February?
In February, you should continue to wear heavy winter gear as the cold persists. Moscow remains extremely cold, with snow and ice still present. Layers and waterproof boots are essential for comfort and safety.
Dressing for February:
- Thermal leggings or base layers
- Insulated outerwear, such as a heavy coat
- Waterproof winter boots with traction
- Thick scarves, gloves, and wool hats
Weather Conditions:
- Average temperature: -8°C to -12°C (17°F to 10°F)
- Snow and ice dominate the landscape
- Days gradually become longer with around 7 hours of daylight
What To Wear in Moscow in March?
In March, you should wear warm layers, but you can switch to lighter outerwear as temperatures begin to rise. Snow still lingers, but it’s often mixed with slush as spring approaches.
Dressing for March:
- Medium-weight down jackets
- Wool sweaters or cardigans
- Waterproof boots for snow and slush
- Warm scarves and gloves
Weather Conditions:
- Average temperature: -3°C to 5°C (27°F to 41°F)
- Melting snow and icy patches
- About 10 hours of daylight
What To Wear in Moscow in April?
In April, you should wear lighter clothing as spring sets in, but you may still need a medium-weight jacket for cooler days. Rain becomes more common, so having waterproof outerwear is helpful.
Dressing for April:
- Medium-weight jackets or trench coats
- Long-sleeve shirts or light sweaters
- Waterproof shoes or boots
- Light scarves
Weather Conditions:
- Average temperature: 5°C to 13°C (41°F to 55°F)
- Rain and occasional snowfall in early April
- Around 12 hours of daylight
What To Wear in Moscow in May?
In May, you should wear lighter layers as the weather becomes milder. Afternoon temperatures can be warm, but mornings and evenings might still require a light jacket.
Dressing for May:
- Light jackets or cardigans
- Long-sleeve shirts or blouses
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light scarves or accessories
Weather Conditions:
- Average temperature: 10°C to 18°C (50°F to 64°F)
- Occasional rain showers
- Up to 16 hours of daylight
What To Wear in Moscow in June?
In June, you should wear light and breathable clothing as summer arrives. While the days are warm, evenings can still be cool, so bringing a light jacket is a good idea.
Dressing for June:
- Short-sleeve shirts or blouses
- Light jackets or sweaters for cooler mornings
- Comfortable sandals or shoes
- Sunglasses and hats for sun protection
Weather Conditions:
- Average temperature: 15°C to 23°C (59°F to 73°F)
- Occasional rain showers
- Long daylight hours, up to 18 hours per day
What To Wear in Moscow in July?
In July, you should wear light summer clothing as it’s the warmest month of the year. However, bring a light jacket for cooler evenings. Moscow experiences pleasant summer weather with some rain.
Dressing for July:
- Lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen
- T-shirts, shorts, skirts, or summer dresses
- Comfortable sandals or sneakers
- Sunglasses for sunny days
Weather Conditions:
- Average temperature: 18°C to 26°C (64°F to 79°F)
- Occasional thunderstorms and rain
- Long daylight hours, up to 19 hours per day
What To Wear in Moscow in August?
In August, you should continue to wear light summer clothing. However, temperatures start to decrease towards the end of the month, so a light jacket or sweater may be needed.
Dressing for August:
- Lightweight tops and shorts or skirts
- Comfortable sandals or walking shoes
- Light jacket for cooler evenings
Weather Conditions:
- Average temperature: 16°C to 24°C (61°F to 75°F)
- Warm days and cooler evenings
- Rain showers and thunderstorms are possible
What To Wear in Moscow in September?
In September, you should wear transitional layers as the weather cools down. The early part of the month still feels like late summer, but by the end, it’s firmly autumn.
Dressing for September:
- Light sweaters or cardigans
- Transitional jackets or trench coats
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes or boots
Weather Conditions:
- Average temperature: 10°C to 17°C (50°F to 63°F)
- Crisp mornings and evenings
- Around 12 hours of daylight
What To Wear in Moscow in October?
In October, you should wear warmer clothing as temperatures drop significantly. The weather becomes unpredictable with rain and even the first snow of the season.
Dressing for October:
- Medium to heavy jackets or coats
- Long-sleeve shirts and sweaters
- Waterproof boots for rain and snow
Weather Conditions:
- Average temperature: 4°C to 10°C (39°F to 50°F)
- Frequent rain and occasional snow by the end of the month
- About 10 hours of daylight
What To Wear in Moscow in November?
In November, you should wear thermal layers and heavier outerwear as winter sets in. Moscow experiences frequent frost, and snow begins to accumulate by the end of the month.
Dressing for November:
- Heavy coats or insulated parkas
- Thermal tops and bottoms
- Insulated boots with good traction
Weather Conditions:
- Average temperature: -1°C to -5°C (30°F to 23°F)
- Snowfall and icy conditions become common
- Short daylight hours, around 8 hours per day
What To Wear in Moscow in December?
In December, you should wear the warmest winter clothing, as Moscow experiences freezing temperatures and regular snowfall. Insulated outerwear and thermal gear are necessary for staying warm.
Dressing for December:
- Heavy winter coats with insulation
- Wool sweaters and thermal undergarments
- Snow boots with strong grip
- Thick hats, gloves, and scarves
Weather Conditions:
- Average temperature: -5°C to -12°C (23°F to 10°F)
- Regular snowfall and icy conditions
- Very short daylight hours, around 6 hours per day
| What To Wear in Moscow By Month | Description |
|---|---|
| January | Thermal layers, heavy winter coats, insulated boots, and warm accessories for freezing temperatures below -10°C. |
| February | Similar to January: thick winter coats, thermal underwear, and warm hats, gloves, and scarves. |
| March | Layered clothing with medium-weight jackets, as the cold remains but begins to ease. Waterproof shoes for melting snow. |
| April | Lighter jackets and sweaters, with waterproof shoes or boots, as temperatures rise and snow continues to melt. |
| May | Light layers like sweaters and jackets for cooler mornings and evenings, with comfortable shoes for warmer days. |
| June | Light, breathable clothing like t-shirts, shorts, and dresses, with a light jacket for cooler evenings. |
| July | Summer attire such as shorts, t-shirts, and sandals, with comfortable footwear for walking in warm temperatures. |
| August | Similar to July: light clothing for warm days, with a light jacket or sweater for cooler mornings or evenings. |
| September | Layered clothing and medium-weight jackets, as temperatures start to cool down and autumn sets in. |
| October | Warmer clothing, including sweaters and heavier jackets, with waterproof footwear as rain or early snow is common. |
| November | Thermal layers and heavy coats as winter approaches, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. |
| December | Full winter gear, including thermal underwear, thick coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and insulated boots for the cold. |
What to Wear in Moscow in Winter (December to February)
In Moscow during winter, you should wear heavy winter clothing to protect yourself from freezing temperatures and frequent snowfall. Layering is essential, along with insulated outerwear and waterproof boots to keep warm and comfortable.
Winter Dressing Essentials:
- Thermal underwear and base layers
- Wool sweaters or turtlenecks
- Heavy down coats or parkas
- Insulated, waterproof boots
- Thick scarves, woolen hats, and gloves
Features to Look For:
- Waterproof and windproof outerwear
- Insulated boots with good traction for icy streets
- Wool or cashmere accessories to block out the cold
What to Wear in Moscow in Spring (March to May)
In Moscow during spring, you should wear lighter layers as the weather starts to warm up, but you still need to be prepared for rain and occasional cold days. A medium-weight jacket and waterproof shoes will be useful, especially in early spring when snow is still melting.
Spring Dressing Essentials:
- Light jackets or trench coats
- Long-sleeve shirts or lightweight sweaters
- Waterproof boots or shoes
- Light scarves and hats for cooler mornings
Features to Look For:
- Breathable fabrics that can be layered
- Waterproof outerwear to protect against rain
- Comfortable footwear for walking on slushy streets
What to Wear in Moscow in Summer (June to August)
In Moscow during summer, you should wear light and breathable clothing as temperatures are mild to warm. However, evenings can be cooler, so it’s a good idea to have a light jacket or sweater on hand.
Summer Dressing Essentials:
- Short-sleeve shirts, t-shirts, and blouses
- Lightweight trousers, skirts, or dresses
- Comfortable sandals or sneakers
- Sunglasses and sun hats for sun protection
Features to Look For:
- Lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen
- Comfortable shoes for walking long distances
- Light layers for cool evenings
What to Wear in Moscow in Autumn (September to November)
In Moscow during autumn, you should wear transitional clothing as temperatures begin to drop. Early autumn can feel like an extension of summer, but by November, winter coats may be necessary.
Autumn Dressing Essentials:
- Light sweaters or cardigans
- Transitional jackets or medium-weight coats
- Comfortable boots or closed-toe shoes
- Scarves and gloves for cooler days
Features to Look For:
- Cozy scarves for added warmth as temperatures drop
- Layerable clothing for fluctuating temperatures
- Waterproof boots to handle rain and early snow
| What To Wear in Moscow By Season | Description |
|---|---|
| Winter (December to February) | You should wear thermal layers, a heavy insulated coat, and warm accessories like hats, gloves, and scarves. Moscow’s winter is freezing, with temperatures dropping below -10°C (14°F), requiring full winter gear and snow boots. |
| Spring (March to May) | Layered clothing, medium-weight jackets, and waterproof footwear are ideal as the snow melts and temperatures gradually rise from freezing to mild. Expect chilly mornings and evenings. |
| Summer (June to August) | Light, breathable clothing like t-shirts, shorts, dresses, and comfortable walking shoes are best. Moscow summers are warm with occasional rain, so pack a light jacket or umbrella for cooler evenings. |
| Autumn (September to November) | You should wear layered outfits, including sweaters, jackets, and waterproof boots. As autumn progresses, temperatures drop and rain becomes more frequent, requiring thicker outerwear by November. |
FAQs On What To Wear in Moscow
In Moscow during winter, you should wear thermal base layers, a heavy down coat, insulated boots, and warm accessories like scarves, gloves, and hats. The temperatures can drop well below freezing, so insulated, waterproof clothing is essential to stay warm and dry.
Yes, you can wear sneakers in Moscow, especially during the warmer months (spring and summer). However, in winter, it’s better to opt for insulated boots with good traction to handle the snow and icy streets.
Yes, wearing a hat in Moscow, especially in winter, is highly recommended to protect yourself from the cold. Wool or fleece hats help keep your head and ears warm during the freezing temperatures.
In winter, insulated, waterproof boots with good traction are best for walking around Moscow, as the streets can be icy. During the warmer months, comfortable walking shoes or sneakers are suitable for exploring the city.
