Winter is notably dry and cold. Days without snow are few. Precipitation varies from 10 to 14 in. The ice on the lake breaks up rapidly. As the snow melts, the surface soon dries and a brief period of delightful spring weather is experienced, though often interrupted by the return of severe cold for a short time.
Summer follows quickly.
The summer, though it has often long periods of drought, is interrupted by brief, but heavy rainstorms. Precipitation is about 12 in. Lake Baikal is remarkable for the richness of its fauna and flora. The lake is rich in plankton. The one mammal is the Baikal seal.