Index

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• Introduction
• The coast - Baku, Lenkoran
• Inland areas - Ganja
• Nakhchivan
• When to go
• What to pack

Introduction

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In Azerbaijan, the climate is slightly continental, with relatively cold winters and hot summers; it's also arid in most of the low-lying areas, while it becomes colder and generally rainier in the mountains. The coastline on the Caspian Sea is semi-arid in the northern part, and arid in the centre (see Baku), while it becomes rainy in the southernmost stretch, which is therefore an exception to the rule that the plains of Azerbaijan are arid.
Winter in Azerbaijan is cold but not freezing, at least in the plains. The Caucasus Mountain Range partially protects inland areas from outbreaks of cold air from Russia, so that the north wind descending from the mountains is warm and dry, similar to Foehn or Chinook, while along the coast the cold wind blows intensely but it's tempered by the Caspian Sea. Anyway, in winter there may be some light snowfalls and frosts on the coast, but especially in inland areas, where cold air stagnates with more ease, after the wind has ceased.
Summer in Azerbaijan is hot and sunny, with some afternoon thunderstorms in inland areas.
The mountainous areas are usually green and full of forests and streams; the highest peak is Bazardüzü, 4,466 metres (14,652 feet) high, located in the northern Caucasus Range, on the border with the Russian Republic of Dagestan. Some natural parks are also located in the plains and along the coast, to protect the species of birds that come to nest in these area, or marine animals such as seals.

The coast

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Baku

The capital Baku lies on the coast, 28 metres (92 feet) below sea level (the Caspian Sea is in fact a large lake located in a depression). Here, the average temperature of February is 4 °C (39.5 °F), while that of July is 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Summer is hot and sunny, with highs around 30 °C (86 °F). In the cold months, polar air masses can bring strong winds; Baku is actually a windy city: the Khazri (cold north wind), alternates with the Gilavar (warm wind from the south), in addition to the summer breeze.
The rains are scarce, at a semi-desert level, amounting to just 210 millimetres (8.5 inches) per year, with a maximum between autumn and winter, when they are light but relatively frequent, and a minimum in summer. Here is the average precipitation.

In Baku, the sun does not shine very often in winter, while in summer, from June to August, it shines regularly.

For swimming and sunbathing, the sea temperature is warm enough, exceeding 23 °C (73 °F), from July to September, while it's still cool in June.

Lenkoran

In the southern part of the coast, Lenkoran (or Lankaran) has more or less the same temperature as Baku, but it's much more rainy, because it's located at the foothills of the Talysh Range, which forces air masses to rise and condense in clouds. In fact here 1,150 mm (45 in) of rain fall in a year, with a maximum between September and November. The rains are still quite abundant until March, and at times in winter even snowfalls can be heavy. Here is the average precipitation.

Inland areas

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Ganja

In the interior of the country we find Ganja, which is located at 400 metres (1,300 feet) above sea level, and whose climate is a bit more continental, so that the average temperature goes from 2 °C (35 °F) in January, to 26 °C (79 °F) in July. In summer the temperature can reach 40 °C (104 °F), while in winter it can drop to -15 °C (5 °F).

The rains are not abundant, amounting to 300 millimetres (12 inches) per year, but they are slightly more abundant than in Baku. Here is the average precipitation.

Nakhchivan

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Outside the borders of the country, between Armenia and Iran, there is a small exclave of Azerbaijan: the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The climate is arid here as well, but it becomes definitely continental, because of the distance from the sea. Hence, in the capital Nakhchivan, 900 metres (2,950 feet) above sea level, the average temperature goes from -3 °C (26.5 °F) in January to 27 °C (80.5 °F) in July. In winter the temperature drops easily to -20 °C (-4 °F), while in summer it easily reaches 40 °C (104 °F).

The precipitation amount is low, around 265 mm (10.5 in) per year, with a maximum in spring and a minimum in summer. In winter, a snow layer, though usually not thick, often lies on the ground. Here is the average precipitation.

When to go

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The best times to travel to Azerbaijan are spring and autumn, and in particular the months of May and October, although in October it rains a lot in the southern city of Lenkoran. September is usually a good month as well, in Baku and the main territory, while the exclave of Nakhchivan in this month can still be hot.

What to pack

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In winter: in Baku, the plains and the coast, warm clothes, sweater, jacket, hat, raincoat or umbrella. In high mountains, mountain clothes, hiking shoes. In Nakhchivan, very warm clothes, fleece, down jacket, gloves, hat.
In summer: in Baku, the plains and the coast, light clothes for the day, sun hat, a light sweatshirt for the evening, a scarf for the breeze. In the mountains, spring/autumn clothes, sun hat, sweater and jacket, hiking shoes, possibly a raincoat or umbrella; mountain outfit for the highest peaks.
For the Nakhchivan: in the capital and the valley, lightweight clothes for the day, light sweatshirt for the evening; at higher altitudes, jacket and sweater for the evening.

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