Editing Białystok (section)

==Geography==
[[File:Podlaskie - Dobrzyniewo Duze - Biala river - bdg near Fasty - E.JPG|thumb|alt=the Biala River near the city|Biała River near Białystok]]
[[File:Podlaskie - Gródek - Puszcza Knyszyńska - Bierozoj Łostok- Rozlewisko - v-ESE.JPG|thumb|right|[[Knyszyn Forest Landscape Park]]]]
Białystok is situated in the Białystok Uplands ({{langx|pl|Wysoczyzna Białostocka}}) of the Podlaskie Plain ({{langx|pl|Nizina Północnopodlaska}}), part of what is known collectively as the ''Green Lungs of Poland''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stat.gov.pl/gus/5840_4533_ENG_HTML.htm|title=Green Lungs Of Poland In 2006|access-date=2011-01-12|publisher=Central Statistical Office, Warsaw|year=2009|format=PDF|language=pl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206132331/http://www.stat.gov.pl/gus/5840_4533_ENG_HTML.htm|archive-date=2011-02-06|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Kondracki>{{cite book|first=Jerzy|last=Kondracki|title=Geografia regionalna Polski|year=2002|location=Warszawa|publisher=PWN|isbn=83-01-13897-1|language=pl}}</ref> It is situated {{convert|197|km}} by road northeast of [[Warsaw]].<ref name="GM"/> It is the biggest Polish city close to [[Belarus]] and [[Lithuania]]. The Biała River, a left tributary of the [[Supraśl (river)|Supraśl River]], passes through the city. The landscape of the Białystok Upland is diverse, with high [[moraine]] hills and [[kame]] in excess of {{convert|200|m|abbr=on}} [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]]. Vast areas of [[Outwash plain|outwash]], a [[Glaciology|glacial]] [[plain]] formed of [[sediment]]s deposited by meltwater at the terminus of a [[glacier]], are covered by forests.<ref name=Kondracki/>

The highest point of the city lies at a height of {{Convert|175|m|ft|abbr=on}} on the Pietrasze Forest. The lowest point lies at a height of {{Convert|118|m|ft|abbr=on}} on the river valley of the [[Biała (Supraśl)|Biała]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://edziennik.bialystok.uw.gov.pl/legalact/2015/4435/ |title=Plan Zrównoważonego Rozwoju Publicznego Transportu Zbiorowego na lata 2015-2022 dla Miasta Białegostoku i gmin ościennych, które zawarły z Miastem Białystok porozumienie w sprawie wspólnej organizacji transportu publicznego oraz pozostałych gmin wchodzących w skład obszaru funkcjonalnego |page=24 |language=pl |access-date=2022-03-08 |archive-date=2022-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308150503/https://edziennik.bialystok.uw.gov.pl/legalact/2015/4435/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A characteristic element of the relief of the city area are clear depressions in the surface of the moraine plateau, which are used by the rivers Biała, Horodnianka, and Czaplinianka.

Forests are an important part of the city character, they currently occupy approximately {{convert|1846|ha|abbr=on}} (18% of the administrative area of the city) which places it as the fifth most "wooded" city in Poland; behind Katowice (38%), Bydgoszcz (30%), Toruń (22.9%) and Gdańsk (17.6%).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bialystok.pl/pl/dla_mieszkancow/ochrona_srodowiska/przyroda_w_naszym_miescie/ | title=Białystok – Lasy | publisher=Białystok Miasto | access-date=2021-01-21 | archive-date=2021-01-21 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121115508/https://www.bialystok.pl/pl/dla_mieszkancow/ochrona_srodowiska/przyroda_w_naszym_miescie/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

There are a total of 9 parks in the city (on municipal plots), of which 5 are historic parks with a total area of about 59.06 ha, entered into the municipal register of monuments, and 4 are city parks with an area of about 21.68 ha.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bip.bialystok.pl/resource/46839/45298/Program+rewitalizacji+miasta+Bia%25C5%2582egostoku+na+lata+2017-2023.pdf|title=UCHWAŁA NR XXXIV/559/17 RADY MIASTA BIAŁYSTOK z dnia 24 kwietnia 2017 r. w sprawie Programu rewitalizacji miasta Białegostoku na lata 2017-2023|language=pl}}.</ref>

Part of [[Knyszyn Forest]] is preserved within the city limits by two [[nature reserves]]—a total area of {{convert|105|ha|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pkpk.wrotapodlasia.pl/ |title=Knyszyń Forest Landscape Park |access-date=2011-03-25 |language=pl |archive-date=2018-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324052641/http://www.pkpk.wrotapodlasia.pl/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Zwierzyniecki Forest (Białystok)|Zwierzyniecki Forest]] Nature Reserve, which is contained within the city limits, is a fragment, {{convert|33.48|ha|abbr=on}}, of the [[riparian forest]] with a dominant assemblage of [[oak]] and [[hornbeam]].<ref>{{cite web
| title = Białystok. Rezerwat – park Zwierzyniecki
| url = http://www.bryk.pl/wypracowania/pozosta%C5%82e/wos/16969-bia%C5%82ystok.html
| access-date = 2011-05-17
| language = pl
| archive-date = 2016-09-18
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160918103734/http://www.bryk.pl/wypracowania/pozosta%C5%82e/wos/16969-bia%C5%82ystok.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The Antoniuk Nature Reserve ({{langx|pl|Rezerwat Przyrody Antoniuk}}) is a {{convert|70.07|ha|abbr=on}} park in the city that preserves the natural state of a forest fragment characteristic of the Białystok Upland, with a dominant mixed forest of [[hazel]] and [[spruce]].<ref>{{cite web
| title = Białystok portal miejski. Białostockie parki.
| url = http://www.bialystok.pl/site.php?s=MDAxNTYy
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090218080114/http://www.bialystok.pl/site.php?s=MDAxNTYy |archive-date=2009-02-18 | access-date = 2011-03-05|language=pl}}</ref>

The {{convert|40|ha|abbr=on}} of forests lying in the vicinity of the [[Dojlidy Ponds]] are administered by the Białystok Central Sports and Recreation Center ({{langx|pl|Białostocki Ośrodek Sportu i Rekreacji}} – BOSiR). The Dojlidy Ponds recreation area includes a public beach, walking trails, birdwatching and fishing.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bialystok.gazeta.pl/bialystok/1,37227,7077558,Zalew_Dojlidy__Czas_na_zmiany.html | title=Zalew Dojlidy. Czas na zmiany | publisher=Gazeta Wyborcza Białystok | date=2009-09-25 | access-date=2011-06-09 | archive-date=2012-03-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315091947/http://bialystok.gazeta.pl/bialystok/1,37227,7077558,Zalew_Dojlidy__Czas_na_zmiany.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Climate===
The city has a warm-summer [[humid continental climate#Dfb/Dwb/Dsb: Mild to Cool summer subtype|humid continental]] or [[hemiboreal]] climate (''Dfb'') according to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system under the {{convert|0|°C|0|abbr=on}} isotherm for the average temperature of the coldest month, or an [[oceanic climate]] (''Cfb'') if the {{convert|-3|°C|0|abbr=on}} isotherm is used. The city would have been classified as being in the ''Dfb'' zone regardless of the accepted isotherm for [[climatological normal]]s as recent as 1981–2010,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2018-04-06|title=Średnie i sumy miesięczne|url=https://meteomodel.pl/dane/srednie-miesieczne/|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Dane meteorologiczne|language=pl-PL|archive-date=2022-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121041540/https://meteomodel.pl/dane/srednie-miesieczne/|url-status=live}}</ref> but as a consequence of [[Climate change in Poland|climate change]], the winters have warmed up so that the climate in the city may be classified as oceanic. Białystok is one of the coldest cities in Poland by annual temperature and one with the climate having the most continental characteristics, as is the case for much of north-eastern Poland, with the mean yearly temperature of {{convert|7.7|°C|0|abbr=on}} and the length of the [[growing season]] amounting to 205 days, shorter than elsewhere in Poland.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Górniak|first=Andrzej|url=https://repozytorium.uwb.edu.pl/jspui/bitstream/11320/12295/1/A_Gorniak_Klimat_wojewodztwa_podlaskiego.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206082236/https://repozytorium.uwb.edu.pl/jspui/bitstream/11320/12295/1/A_Gorniak_Klimat_wojewodztwa_podlaskiego.pdf |archive-date=2021-12-06 |url-status=live|title=Klimat województwa podlaskiego w czasie globalnego ocieplenia|publisher=Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku|year=2021|isbn=978-83-7431-694-1|location=Białystok|language=pl}}</ref>

While winters are rather mild compared to other cities on the similar latitude, such as [[Samara]], [[Barnaul]], or [[Edmonton]], they are colder than in [[Western Europe]] (in cities like [[Bremen]] and [[Dublin]]). Winters usually have little sunshine, with weather patterns changing from those influenced by the [[Low Pressure Systems|low-pressure systems]] generated by the [[Icelandic Low]] (when the weather is often cloudy, cool, damp, rainy and/or snowy) to the occasional intrusions of cold air masses from [[Siberia]] or the [[Arctic]] ([[Siberian High]]), which, due to the city's northeasterly location, are more frequent than in other parts of Poland.<ref name=":0" /> Winters thus tend to be several degrees colder than elsewhere in Poland.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Mapy klimatu Polski - Portal Klimat IMGW-PiB|url=https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-maps/#Mean_Temperature/Seasonal/1991-2020/1/Winter|access-date=2022-02-12|website=klimat.imgw.pl|archive-date=2022-02-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212141859/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-maps/#Mean_Temperature/Seasonal/1991-2020/1/Winter|url-status=live}}</ref> Freezing conditions below {{convert|-20|°C|0|abbr=on}} are possible in winter but are rare.<ref name=":1" /> Snow cover is present on the ground for more than half of winter. Summers tend to be warm, sunny and pleasant and are occasionally hot, but they are still a little cooler than in most of Poland.<ref name=":2" /> More rain falls in summer months than in any other period of the year.

The centre of Białystok, as most urban areas, experiences the [[urban heat island effect]], therefore for most of the time, the city is warmer than the surrounding countryside. The temperatures in the city centre are, on average, {{Convert|2.3|C-change|F-change|abbr=on}} higher than in the surrounding villages, with greater differences at night and during the warmer half of the year, particularly in spring.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Czubaszek|first1=Robert|last2=Wysocka-Czubaszek|first2=Agnieszka|date=2016|title=URBAN HEAT ISLAND IN BIAŁYSTOK|url=http://www.journalssystem.com/jeeng/URBAN-HEAT-ISLAND-IN-BIALYSTOK,63323,0,2.html|journal=Journal of Ecological Engineering|volume=17|issue=3|pages=60–65|doi=10.12911/22998993/63323|issn=2299-8993|doi-access=free}}</ref>

{{Weather box
| location = Białystok (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–present)
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| Jan record high C = 15.9
| Feb record high C = 16.4
| Mar record high C = 21.8
| Apr record high C = 29.3
| May record high C = 31.7
| Jun record high C = 32.8
| Jul record high C = 36.0
| Aug record high C = 35.2
| Sep record high C = 33.6
| Oct record high C = 25.4
| Nov record high C = 18.5
| Dec record high C = 13.8
| year record high C = 36.0
| Jan avg record high C = 6.3
| Feb avg record high C = 8.2
| Mar avg record high C = 15.4
| Apr avg record high C = 23.2
| May avg record high C = 27.0
| Jun avg record high C = 29.4
| Jul avg record high C = 30.9
| Aug avg record high C = 30.8
| Sep avg record high C = 25.9
| Oct avg record high C = 20.1
| Nov avg record high C = 13.2
| Dec avg record high C = 7.6
| year avg record high C = 32.4
| Jan high C = -0.4
| Feb high C = 1.1
| Mar high C = 6.1
| Apr high C = 13.6
| May high C = 19.2
| Jun high C = 22.2
| Jul high C = 24.3
| Aug high C = 23.7
| Sep high C = 18.1
| Oct high C = 11.7
| Nov high C = 5.2
| Dec high C = 1.0
| year high C = 12.2
| Jan mean C = -2.8
| Feb mean C = -1.9
| Mar mean C = 1.7
| Apr mean C = 7.9
| May mean C = 13.1
| Jun mean C = 16.4
| Jul mean C = 18.4
| Aug mean C = 17.5
| Sep mean C = 12.6
| Oct mean C = 7.4
| Nov mean C = 2.7
| Dec mean C = -1.2
| year mean C = 7.7
| Jan low C = -5.4
| Feb low C = -4.9
| Mar low C = -2.4
| Apr low C = 2.2
| May low C = 6.8
| Jun low C = 10.3
| Jul low C = 12.6
| Aug low C = 11.6
| Sep low C = 7.7
| Oct low C = 3.6
| Nov low C = 0.2
| Dec low C = -3.6
| year low C = 3.2
| Jan avg record low C = -18.5
| Feb avg record low C = -16.3
| Mar avg record low C = -11.1
| Apr avg record low C = -5.0
| May avg record low C = -0.7
| Jun avg record low C = 3.8
| Jul avg record low C = 6.9
| Aug avg record low C = 5.3
| Sep avg record low C = 0.1
| Oct avg record low C = -5.1
| Nov avg record low C = -8.3
| Dec avg record low C = -14.7
| year avg record low C = -21.8
| Jan record low C = -35.4
| Feb record low C = -32.9
| Mar record low C = -24.0
| Apr record low C = -8.3
| May record low C = -4.5
| Jun record low C = -0.2
| Jul record low C = 4.2
| Aug record low C = 0.2
| Sep record low C = -5.1
| Oct record low C = -11.2
| Nov record low C = -20.7
| Dec record low C = -29.3
| year record low C = -35.4
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 33.8
| Feb precipitation mm = 31.4
| Mar precipitation mm = 34.6
| Apr precipitation mm = 37.7
| May precipitation mm = 69.1
| Jun precipitation mm = 65.4
| Jul precipitation mm = 86.5
| Aug precipitation mm = 69.4
| Sep precipitation mm = 56.0
| Oct precipitation mm = 47.2
| Nov precipitation mm = 39.2
| Dec precipitation mm = 39.9
| year precipitation mm = 610.2
| Jan snow depth cm = 10.2
| Feb snow depth cm = 10.9
| Mar snow depth cm = 7.5
| Apr snow depth cm = 2.2
| May snow depth cm = 0.0
| Jun snow depth cm = 0.0
| Jul snow depth cm = 0.0
| Aug snow depth cm = 0.0
| Sep snow depth cm = 0.0
| Oct snow depth cm = 0.5
| Nov snow depth cm = 3.5
| Dec snow depth cm = 5.5
| year snow depth cm = 
| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 16.50
| Feb precipitation days = 14.91
| Mar precipitation days = 14.17
| Apr precipitation days = 11.23
| May precipitation days = 12.67
| Jun precipitation days = 13.27
| Jul precipitation days = 14.53
| Aug precipitation days = 11.70
| Sep precipitation days = 11.83
| Oct precipitation days = 12.97
| Nov precipitation days = 15.23
| Dec precipitation days = 16.00
| year precipitation days = 165.01
| unit snow days = 0 cm
| Jan snow days = 19.6
| Feb snow days = 17.8
| Mar snow days = 10.0
| Apr snow days = 1.3
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.6
| Nov snow days = 5.0
| Dec snow days = 14.4
| year snow days = 68.7
| Jan humidity = 88.4
| Feb humidity = 85.1
| Mar humidity = 77.8
| Apr humidity = 69.8
| May humidity = 71.2
| Jun humidity = 73.1
| Jul humidity = 75.4
| Aug humidity = 77.2
| Sep humidity = 82.5
| Oct humidity = 85.5
| Nov humidity = 90.0
| Dec humidity = 90.4
| year humidity = 80.5
| Jan sun = 38.1
| Feb sun = 57.4
| Mar sun = 122.1
| Apr sun = 185.7
| May sun = 254.1
| Jun sun = 259.3
| Jul sun = 256.9
| Aug sun = 250.5
| Sep sun = 161.8
| Oct sun = 102.1
| Nov sun = 38.4
| Dec sun = 28.9
| year sun = 1755.3
| Jan dew point C = -5
| Feb dew point C = -5
| Mar dew point C = -2
| Apr dew point C = 2
| May dew point C = 8
| Jun dew point C = 11
| Jul dew point C = 14
| Aug dew point C = 13
| Sep dew point C = 10
| Oct dew point C = 5
| Nov dew point C = 2
| Dec dew point C = -2
| source 1 = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management<ref name=IMGWtavg>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211203115527/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/TSR_AVE
| archive-date = 3 December 2021
| url = https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/TSR_AVE
| title = Średnia dobowa temperatura powietrza
| work = Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020
| publisher = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
| language = pl
| access-date = 22 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=IMGWtmin>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220115043924/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/TMIN_AVE
| archive-date = 15 January 2022
| url = https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/TMIN_AVE
| title = Średnia minimalna temperatura powietrza
| work = Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020
| publisher = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
| language = pl
| access-date = 22 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=IMGWtmax>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220115044916/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/TMAX_AVE
| archive-date = 15 January 2022
| url = https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/TMAX_AVE
| title = Średnia maksymalna temperatura powietrza
| work = Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020
| publisher = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
| language = pl
| access-date = 22 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=IMGWprecip>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220109045820/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/OPAD_SUMA
| archive-date = 9 January 2022
| url = https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/OPAD_SUMA
| title = Miesięczna suma opadu
| work = Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020
| publisher = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
| language = pl
| access-date = 22 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=IMGWprecipdays>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220115051112/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/OPAD_01
| archive-date = 15 January 2022
| url = https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/OPAD_01
| title = Liczba dni z opadem >= 0,1 mm
| work = Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020
| publisher = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
| language = pl
| access-date = 22 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=IMGWsnowdepth>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220115054936/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/SNIEG_SR_GRUB
| archive-date = 15 January 2022
| url = https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/SNIEG_SR_GRUB
| title = Średnia grubość pokrywy śnieżnej
| work = Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020
| publisher = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
| language = pl
| access-date = 22 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=IMGWsnowdays>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220121044246/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/SNIEG_0
| archive-date = 21 January 2022
| url = https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/SNIEG_0
| title = Liczba dni z pokrywą śnieżna > 0 cm
| work = Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020
| publisher = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
| language = pl
| access-date = 22 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=IMGWsun>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220115055331/https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/USL
| archive-date = 15 January 2022
| url = https://klimat.imgw.pl/pl/climate-normals/USL
| title = Średnia suma usłonecznienia (h)
| work = Normy klimatyczne 1991-2020
| publisher = Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 
| language = pl
| access-date = 22 January 2022}}</ref>
| source 2 = Meteomodel.pl (records, relative humidity 1991–2020),<ref name=recordhigh>{{cite web
| url = https://meteomodel.pl/dane/srednie-miesieczne/?imgwid=353230295&par=tx&max_empty=3
| title = Białystok Absolutna temperatura maksymalna
| date = 6 April 2018
| publisher = Meteomodel.pl
| language = pl
| access-date = 22 January 2022
| archive-date = 23 January 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220123044739/https://meteomodel.pl/dane/srednie-miesieczne/?imgwid=353230295&par=tx&max_empty=3
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name=recordlow>{{cite web
| url = https://meteomodel.pl/dane/srednie-miesieczne/?imgwid=353230295&par=tmin&max_empty=3
| title = Białystok Absolutna temperatura minimalna
| date = 6 April 2018
| publisher = Meteomodel.pl
| language = pl
| access-date = 22 January 2022
| archive-date = 23 January 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220123044742/https://meteomodel.pl/dane/srednie-miesieczne/?imgwid=353230295&par=tmin&max_empty=3
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name=relativehumidity>{{cite web
| url = https://meteomodel.pl/dane/srednie-miesieczne/?imgwid=353230295&par=rh&max_empty=3
| title = Białystok Średnia wilgotność
| date = 6 April 2018
| publisher = Meteomodel.pl
| language = pl
| access-date = 22 January 2022
| archive-date = 23 January 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220123044746/https://meteomodel.pl/dane/srednie-miesieczne/?imgwid=353230295&par=rh&max_empty=3
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Time and Date (dewpoints, 2005-2015)<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/poland/bialystok/climate
| title = Climate & Weather Averages in Białystok
| publisher = Time and Date
| access-date = 24 July 2022
| archive-date = 24 July 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220724075436/https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/poland/bialystok/climate
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
| width = 100%
| collapsed = y
| open = 
| metric first = yes
| single line = y
| location = Białystok ([[Dojlidy]]), elevation: 148 m, 1961-1990 normals and extremes
| Jan record high C = 10.9
| Feb record high C = 16.4
| Mar record high C = 21.8
| Apr record high C = 27.4
| May record high C = 30.1
| Jun record high C = 32.4
| Jul record high C = 34.8
| Aug record high C = 34.6
| Sep record high C = 29.8
| Oct record high C = 25.4
| Nov record high C = 16.8
| Dec record high C = 13.8
| Jan record low C = -35.4
| Feb record low C = -32.9
| Mar record low C = -24.0
| Apr record low C = -8.3
| May record low C = -4.5
| Jun record low C = 0.7
| Jul record low C = 5.0
| Aug record low C = 0.2
| Sep record low C = -5.1
| Oct record low C = -9.9
| Nov record low C = -20.7
| Dec record low C = -26.2
| Jan mean C = -4.8
| Feb mean C = -3.8
| Mar mean C = 0.2
| Apr mean C = 6.7
| May mean C = 12.9
| Jun mean C = 16.1
| Jul mean C = 17.3
| Aug mean C = 16.3
| Sep mean C = 12.0
| Oct mean C = 7.2
| Nov mean C = 2.2
| Dec mean C = -2.1
| Jan high C = -2.2
| Feb high C = -0.6
| Mar high C = 4.4
| Apr high C = 12.0
| May high C = 18.4
| Jun high C = 21.5
| Jul high C = 22.6
| Aug high C = 22.1
| Sep high C = 17.4
| Oct high C = 11.5
| Nov high C = 4.6
| Dec high C = 0.2
| Jan low C = -7.7
| Feb low C = -6.8
| Mar low C = -3.4
| Apr low C = 1.9
| May low C = 7.0
| Jun low C = 10.2
| Jul low C = 11.7
| Aug low C = 11.1
| Sep low C = 7.6
| Oct low C = 3.6
| Nov low C = -0.1
| Dec low C = -4.6
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 35
| Feb precipitation mm = 26
| Mar precipitation mm = 31
| Apr precipitation mm = 36
| May precipitation mm = 56
| Jun precipitation mm = 74
| Jul precipitation mm = 80
| Aug precipitation mm = 70
| Sep precipitation mm = 52
| Oct precipitation mm = 46
| Nov precipitation mm = 46
| Dec precipitation mm = 40
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 8.8
| Feb precipitation days = 7.0
| Mar precipitation days = 7.9
| Apr precipitation days = 7.7
| May precipitation days = 9.5
| Jun precipitation days = 9.9
| Jul precipitation days = 10.0
| Aug precipitation days = 8.9
| Sep precipitation days = 8.7
| Oct precipitation days = 8.4
| Nov precipitation days = 9.7
| Dec precipitation days = 10.1
| source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name = noaa>{{cite web
| url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/PL/12295.TXT
| title = Bialystok (12295) - WMO Weather Station
| access-date = 27 December 2018
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]}}</ref>
}}
<div style="width: 80%;"></div>
{{Graph:Weather monthly history
| table = Ncei.noaa.gov/weather/Białystok.tab
| title = Białystok temperature
}}

===Urban layout===
[[File:20200508 090415 Rynek Kościuszki in Białystok May 2020.jpg|thumb|[[Kościuszko Market Square|Kościuszko Square]] in 2020]]
Białystok is roughly circular, centered around the [[Kościuszko Market Square|Central market square]] and [[Branicki Palace, Białystok|Branicki Palace]]. The decisive influence on the development of the city was exerted by natural and human factors - the course of roads, the [[Biała (Supraśl)|Biała]] and its tributaries and the layout of railway lines. The choice of land for the construction of the factory was also determined by the price of the plot. The layout of the city, in accordance with the 18th century palace and park layout, emphasizing the magnificence of the residence, hindered the development of the city in width. Two railway lines: Białystok-Suwałki and Białystok-Słonim, separated its northern and eastern parts from the rest of the city: Dziesięciny, Wygoda, Zacisze, Pieczurki. Originally, the city's territory was about 50 hectares. In its early days Białystok was located at the intersection of two local roads and had two most important monuments: a church (with the current brick church from 1626) with an [[Kościuszko Market Square|accompanying market square]] and a Gothic castle owned by the noble Wiesiołowski family, the former owners of the town. The project which was aimed at rebuilding the layout of the city was initiated by Stefan Mikołaj Branicki at the end of the 17th and early 18th centuries. He established a new market ({{langx|pl|Nowy Rynek}}) (part of the western side of [[Kościuszko Square, Białystok|Kosciuszki Square]] with the town hall, located on the western side of [[Sienkiewicza Street, Białystok|Sienkiewicza Street]]). The route leading towards [[Suraż]] was moved to a new location (today's Suraska Street) forming straight road section ending in the southern corner of the market square and creating a new viewing corridor. This design decision made it possible to erect new buildings so that the old part of the settlement and the [[History of the Jews in Białystok|Jewish quarter]] were no longer visible. The second viewing corridor was created by shifting the [[Lipowa Street, Białystok|existing route leading towards Choroszcz]] to the northern corner of the market square.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zabytek.pl/en/obiekty/bialystok-uklad-urbanistyczny|title=Part of the urban area|author=Grażyna Rogala|accessdate=2023-09-07|date=2014-12-23|publisher=Regional Branch of the National Heritage Board of Poland in Białystok}}</ref>

[[File:20191110 153631 Sienkiewicza 77 Bialystok November 2019.jpg|thumb|right|An example of Białystok's urban contrast, with a mix of heritage and contemporary architecture]]

The communication system serving the entire city was made of streets radiating out from the [[Kościuszko Square in Białystok|central market square]]. An inventory plan made by Becker in 1799 was needed by the Prussian authorities in connection with the negotiations on the acquisition of Białystok for a royal residence. The plan is of fundamental importance as it shows the development of the city in the first period of its creation. The area of the city did not exceed 1.5 km2, and the population was approx. 3.5 thousand. The entire urban area was closed with 6 loose-fitting gates and buildings situated on regular plots. Compact buildings were found only in the market square, the frontages of which were 1- 2-storey buildings with brick front elevations. [[Lipowa Street, Białystok|Choroska]] and Zamkowa Streets were built up with only brick houses. The city was dominated by the palace complex, which, together with the park, covered a substantial area. The residence palace was designed on a European scale and created new development opportunities for Białystok.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Z badań nad zmianami struktury przestrzennej miasta Białegostoku|journal=Rocznik Białostocki|issue=18|year=1993|pages=432–435}}</ref> Following the handover of the city from the Prussian Kingdom to the [[Russian Empire]] in the early 19th century, the city began growing in a very fast pace as a result of intensive industrialization, losing its original Baroque composition.<ref>{{cite book|title=Białystok w dwudziestoleciu międzywojennym|language=pl|pages=234–235|last1=Samsel|first1=Agata}}</ref>

After the [[First World War]], the first attempts were made to organize the city, which had so far developed without plans - between the palace grounds and arable land. At the request of the Association of Polish Cities, in the years 1938-1939 a general urban concept of the city was created by Ignacy Tłoczek. The plan called for the creation of new communication routes, relieve the center, demolish the Chanajki district, create a housing estate and connect with it the unique green areas around the city with new tree plantings. The Second World War prevented the comprehensive implementation of this plan. In addition, in 1919 the city's territory was significantly expanded, incorporating the surrounding villages with plans of expanding the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://plus.poranny.pl/jak-powstal-wielki-bialystok-w-1919-roku-do-miasta-przylaczono-kilkanascie-wsi/ar/c1-14163461|title=Jak powstał Wielki Białystok? W 1919 roku do miasta przyłączono kilkanaście wsi|language=pl|date=2019-05-28|accessdate=2024-08-18|last1=Januszkiewicz|first1=Julita}}</ref>

[[File:Saint Roch church in Białystok 2.jpg|thumb|right|[[St. Roch's Church, Białystok|St. Roch's Church]], 1920s and 1930s [[Modernist architecture]]]]

The average height of buildings in the city is not high. The center is dominated by buildings not exceeding 25 meters in height, and the outskirts of the city are mainly occupied by low-rise single-family houses. Taller buildings dominate in some residential districts such as the districts of Piasta [[Osiedle Piasta I, Białystok|I]] and [[Osiedle Piasta II, Białystok|II]] (located to the south of the city center), Dziesięciny [[Osiedle Dziesięciny I, Białystok|I]] and [[Osiedle Dziesięciny II, Białystok|II]] estates (located to the northwest of the city center) as well as [[Osiedle Wysoki Stoczek, Białystok|Wysoki Stoczek]] and [[Osiedle Słoneczny Stok, Białystok|Słoneczny Stok]]. Dominants in Białystok are located mainly in the center and they are also there located two most important city icons: the [[St. Roch's Church, Białystok|St. Roch's Church]] and the [[Białystok Cathedral]], which are on one axis. Each of the districts also has its dominant, which is usually a church or an Orthodox church. The most important space in the city is [[Kościuszko Square in Białystok|Kościuszko Square]] - the main square in the shape of a triangle. The space is delimited by two axes, one is part of the axis connecting the two largest churches, and the other runs towards the west of the Center district along Suraska Street and ends at Młynowa Street. An important spatial arrangement in Białystok is the Branicki Palace complex. The Baroque layout of the palace complex is symmetrically shaped according to one compositional axis with a coherent garden layout.<ref>[rewitalizacja ulicy Młynowej w Białymstoku]</ref>

Throughout the years it expanded to include nearby villages: In the mid-eighteenth century [[Osiedle Bojary, Białystok|Bojary]] which was located on the right bank of the Biala River was incorporated to it. On 10 May 1919, in accordance with the decision of the Sejm, [[Białostoczek (Białystok)|Bialostoczek]], [[Horodniany]], Zwierzyniec-Letnisko, [[Osiedle Starosielce, Białystok|Starosielce]], [[Słoboda, Podlaskie Voivodeship|Słoboda]] (which was founded at the end of the 17th century, between the current Pogodna and Świerkowa Streets), Ogrodniki, Pieczurki, [[Osiedle Wysoki Stoczek, Białystok|Wysoki Stoczek]] were incorporated also, as well as two mill villages Marczuk and [[Osiedle Antoniuk, Białystok|Antoniuk]]. By the onset of [[World War II]] the city's territory amounted to {{convert|40|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://poranny.pl/sloboda-byla-wsia-mieszkancy-mieli-tu-gospodarstwa/ar/4933253|title=Słoboda była wsią. Mieszkańcy mieli tu gospodarstwa|publisher=Kurier Poranny|date=7 April 2014|access-date=29 August 2019|archive-date=29 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829205515/https://poranny.pl/sloboda-byla-wsia-mieszkancy-mieli-tu-gospodarstwa/ar/4933253|url-status=live}}</ref> The reconstruction of the city following the end of [[World War II]] and establishment of the [[People's Republic of Poland]] saw further expansion: the villages [[Osiedle Bacieczki, Białystok|Bacieczki]], Bacieczki Kolonia, [[Korycin]] and part of the village [[Klepacze, Białystok County|Klepacze]], [[Krupniki]], [[Fasty]], [[Zaścianki (Kurowszczyzna)|Zaścianki]] and Zawady were incorporated into the city. The 70s saw another wave of expansion with the villages of [[Osiedle Bagnówka, Białystok|Bagnówka]], area of Zakłady Silikatowe, areas of state forests, [[Dojlidy Ponds]] and the orthodox cemetery at Dojlidy. At the onset of the millennium, in 2002, the village [[Osiedle Zawady, Białystok|Zawady]] was included in the city's limits and at the last enlargement, in 2006, the villages [[Osiedle Dojlidy Górne, Białystok|Dojlidy Górne]], Zagórki and Kolonia Halickie were incorporated and the city reached its current territory of {{convert|102|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Tokajuk|first1=Jerzy|title=Konflikty przestrzenne na styku istniejacej zabudowy zagrodowej i planowanej zabudowy mieszkaniowej na terenach wsi strefy podmiejskiej wlaczonych do obszaru miasta Bialoegostoku|pages=312–313}}</ref>