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Climate in Turkey


Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine

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Map - Turkey

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In Turkey, the climate is Mediterranean on the west and south coasts, transitional Mediterranean in Istanbul and on the north coast, and continental in the inland areas (see Ankara), occupied by a plateau.
There are also mountainous areas, which have a colder climate, and an area characterized by scorching summers in the southeast (upper Mesopotamia or al-Jazira).
The rains are more abundant on the north coast, facing the Black Sea, where they generally exceed 1,000 millimeters (40 inches) per year, while the plateau is arid, in fact, less than 500 mm (20 in) of rain usually fall per year.

In winter, there can be snow and frost on the plateau, and more rarely on the Black Sea coast.
Summer is dry and sunny throughout the country, except in the eastern part of the Black Sea coast. In all the inland and south-central regions, the driest months are July, August and September.

Climates in Turkey

The climate in detail


  • 1- Eastern Thrace - Edirne
  • 2- Istanbul and Northern Coast - Istanbul, Trabzon
  • 3- North-east Coast - Rize
  • 4- West Coast - Izmir
  • 5- South Coast - Antalya
  • 6- Anatolian Plateau - Ankara, Cappadocia
  • 7- Eastern Plateau - Van, Erzurum
  • 8- High Mountains
  • 9- Southeast - Diyarbakir, Cizre
  • When to go
  • What to pack
  • Climate data

1- Eastern Thrace



In this area of Turkey, south-east of Bulgaria, where the city of Edirne (the ancient Adrianople) is located, the climate is slightly continental. Winters are quite cold, with a January average around 3.5 °C (38 °F), and summers are hot, with highs of 33 °C (91.5 °F) in July and August, though tempered by the breeze. Here, cold spells with snow and frost may occur in winter as well as heat waves in summer.
Precipitation is not abundant, and there is a relative minimum in summer, when, however, brief thunderstorms may occur.
The sun is seen quite rarely in winter, while in summer the sky is normally clear.

2- Istanbul and northern coast



In the area of Istanbul and Bursa, in the small portion of European Turkey and in the area beyond the Sea of Marmara and the Straits of Bosphorus and Dardanelles (see Çanakkale), the climate can be described as transitional Mediterranean, with relatively cold winters and hot and quite sultry summers.

In Istanbul, the average temperature in January is around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F), but sometimes cold air masses from the Balkan Peninsula or Russia reach this area, bringing some cold and rainy days, and even snow (in Istanbul, there are about 15 days per year with snow, mostly from December to March). Summer, when the average temperatures are around 25.5 °C (78 °F) in July and August, is the least rainy season, and August is the driest month, while autumn and winter are the rainiest seasons.
Precipitation amounts to 680 mm (26.5 in) per year.
The sun in Istanbul is rarely seen in winter, partly because fog can sometimes form, while in summer, the sky is often cloudless.
The sea in Istanbul, very cold in winter, becomes warm enough for swimming in July and August.

Istanbul

In the southern part of this climatic zone, the ruins of ancient Troy are found.

Along the coast to the east of Istanbul (see Samsun, Trabzon, Rize), winter is slightly milder, while summer becomes progressively rainier as you move to the east.

For example, in Trabzon, the monthly average temperature ranges from 8 °C (46.5 °F) in February to 24.7 °C (76.5 °F) in August.
On average, 900 millimeters (35.5 inches) of rain fall per year, with a minimum in summer. The sun does not shine very often.
In Trabzon, the sea is slightly warmer than in Istanbul and is warm enough for swimming from July to September.

Trabzon

3- North-east Coast



In the easternmost part of the Turkish coast of the Black Sea, east of Trabzon, from Rize to the border with Georgia, the climate can be defined as almost oceanic: the average temperature is similar to that of Trabzon, but the rains are abundant in all seasons, so that even more than 2,000 mm (80 in) of rain fall per year. However, the summer rains are not continuous, but they are concentrated in periods of bad weather which last a few days.
In Rize, winter is milder than in the area of Istanbul, with less frequent snowfalls. The average temperature ranges from 7.5 °C (45.5 °F) in January and February, to 24.5 °C (76 °F) in August.
In Rize, as much as 2,300 mm of rain (90 in) fall per year.
The sun does not shine very often, even in July and August, when there are only 5/5.5 hours of sunshine a day.

4- West Coast



Along the west coast of Turkey, overlooking the Aegean Sea, where the remains of ancient Greek cities like Pergamum and Ephesus are found, the climate is Mediterranean, with mild, relatively rainy winters and hot and sunny summers.
The summer is tempered by the breeze along the coasts and the islands of the Aegean Sea, though at times the breeze is replaced by a strong and persistent wind from the north, called Meltem.
The amount of rainfall on the west coast goes between 670 and 1,000 millimeters (26 and 40 inches) per year, with a maximum in winter and a minimum in summer, when it almost never rains.

Izmir

In Izmir (or Smyrna), winter is mild, with an average in January around 8 °C (46.5 °F); cold waves may still occur, but they are shorter and rarer than in the area of Istanbul. There are on average only 3 days with snowfall per year.
Summer is sunny and hot. High-temperature records are around 43 °C (109.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 675 mm (26.5 in) per year.
The sun shines regularly in summer, while in winter there is an alternation between cloudy and sunny days.
Owing to the north wind that prevents the sea from warming in summer by mixing the water layers, the sea near Izmir is never very warm.

5- South Coast



Along the southern coast of Turkey (see Bodrum, Marmaris, Antalya, Mersin), and in the short stretch of coast north of Syria (see Alexandretta), the climate is still Mediterranean, though warmer than on the west coast, and even more so than on the Black Sea coast.
Winters are quite mild, with average highs around 15 °C (59 °F), while in summer, the maximum temperatures are definitely hot, ranging between 30 and 35 °C (86 and 95 °F).
Rainfall is concentrated from mid-October to mid-April, when it can be abundant, and can sometimes be torrential, particularly on the slopes facing west and southwest.

Antalya

In Antalya, the monthly average temperature ranges from 10.5 °C (51 °F) in January to as high as 29 °C (84 °F) in July and August.
In Antalya, about 1,050 mm (41.5 in) of rain fall per year, but it almost never rains from June to Spetember, while the rains are abundant in winter.
The sun shines quite often even in winter, except in periods of bad weather, while in summer the sky is normally clear.
The sea is warmer than in the north and west coast, and it's warm enough for swimming from June to October.

6- Anatolian Plateau



In the vast inland plateau, the climate is continental, with significant variations both between night and day and between winter and summer. Precipitation is scarce, around 300/500 mm (12/20 in) per year, with a maximum in winter and minimum in summer, which is normally sunny. In this area, the climate is fairly uniform, and varies mainly with altitude, however, it becomes progressively more continental when going towards the east.

The capital of Turkey, Ankara, is located in the northern part of the plateau, about 900 meters (3,000 feet) above sea level. Here, winter is cold and snowy, with a January average of 0.5 °C (33 °F), but the temperature can go down to -20 °C (-4 °F) during cold air outbreaks from Russia. Summer is hot and dry, sometimes scorching during the day, when temperatures can reach 38/40 °C (100/104 °F) in the worst moments, while nights remain generally cool.
In Ankara, annual precipitation is around 400 mm (15.5 in), so it's not abundant.
The sun is rarely seen in winter, while in summer it shines regularly.

Göreme

In this area, at about 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) above sea level, we find the region of Cappadocia, where lies the city of Göreme, famous for the "fairy chimneys" or "earth pyramids". Here, the climate is similar to that of Ankara: the average January temperature is just below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F), and snow is quite frequent (the landscape of this region takes on an even more magical appearance under the snow), while the average in July and August is around 22 °C (72 °F), with highs around 30 °C (86 °F), but with possible scorching days.

7- Eastern Plateau



In the easternmost provinces, near the border with Georgia, Armenia and Iran, the climate is even more harsh, not only because of the higher altitude, which generally ranges between 1,200 and 1,600 meters (3,900 and 5,200 feet), but also because of the proximity to Russia, from which cold air masses can arrive; in fact, during winter this is one of the coldest areas not only of Turkey, but of the entire Europe.

Lake Van, at 1,600 meters (5,250 feet) above sea level (see Van), is large enough to temper a little the climate, especially in winter, when the average temperature along its banks is around -4/-2 °C (25/28 °F), but further to the north, in the provinces of Erzurum and Kars, the January average drops to nearly -10 °C (14 °F) at 1,500 meters (5,000 feet).
The rainfall pattern in the eastern part of the plateau is similar to that of the central-western part: precipitation is not abundant, there are snowfalls in winter, while summers are dry.
Ss often happens in Turkey, the sun shines regularly in summer, while in winter there is an alternation between cloudy and sunny days.

Lake Van

In Erzurum, a city of 360,000 inhabitants in the north-east of Turkey, 1,700 meters (5,600 ft) above sea level, the average temperature in January is -10.5 °C (13 °F), so it's colder than in a northern Europe city like Helsinki. The absolute cold record is -41 °C (-41.8 °F), and that of April is still -22 °C (-7.5 °F). Summer is quite warm during the day, but nights remain cool, and sometimes even cold. There are, however, also hot days. The highest record is 36 °C (97 °F).
Precipitation is not abundant, only 400 mm (15.7 in) per year, with two minima in summer and winter and a maximum in spring. During winter, however, snowfall occurs quite often, and it can sometimes be abundant.

8- High Mountains



In Turkey, there are several mountainous areas, where the altitude exceeds 2,000 meters (6,500 feet). For instance, in the northwest, near Bursa, in the Olympus of Mysia (Uludag), you will find the most famous winter sports resorts of the country.
In addition, there are much higher mountains in the north-east (Pontus), in the south-west (Taurus), and in the eastern region, where we find Mount Ararat, the highest mountain in Turkey, which stands out with its 5,165 meters (16,945 feet).
Here, the climate is Alpine, and of course the temperature decreases with altitude. At the highest altitudes, for instance on Mount Ararat, glaciers are found.

9- South-east



In the south-eastern provinces, near the border with Syria and Iraq, in upper Mesopotamia (or al-Jazira), where the upper courses of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers are located, in cities like Diyarbakir, Batman, Sanliurfa, Cizre, the altitude ranges between 400 and 700 meters (1,300 and 2,300 feet). Here, the winter is quite cold, averaging a few degrees above freezing, but with possible snowfalls and frosts, which are more frequent in the northern part, but the main feature of this area is the very hot summer, when temperatures can exceed 45 °C (113 °F).

In Diyarbakir, 680 meters (2,200 feet) above sea level, the average temperature ranges from 2.5 °C (36.5 °F) in January to 30 °C (86 °F) in July. The lowest recorded temperature is -23 °C (-9.5 °F), while the highest is no less than 46 °C (115 °F).
Here too, precipitation is not abundant and is concentrated in the cold half of the year, while in summer, it rains very rarely.
In the south-east of Turkey too, the sun shines regularly in summer, while in winter, there is an alternation between cloudy days and sunny days.

Diyarbakir

Further south, in Cizre, at 400 meters (1,300 feet), near the border with Syria, the average maximum in July is as high as 41 °C (106 °F), while the daily average in January is 6.5 °C (43.5 °F), so winter is usually quite mild. Given its proximity to the mountains, the rains in Cizre are a bit more abundant, around 730 millimeters (29 inches) per year, but here too, in summer it rains very rarely.

When to go



Almost the whole of Turkey, except the north-eastern coast, enjoys a dry and sunny summer, but it can be hot, even on the coast.
So, in general it is preferable to visit the country in spring and autumn: already in April along the west coast (see Izmir); in May, June and September in Istanbul; in May, June and September in the Anatolian Plateau and Ankara (with a preference for the month of May, and remembering that nights can be a bit cold); in April, May and the first half of October along the southern coast and in the semi-desert areas of the south-east; in June and September in the eastern highlands; in July and August in high mountains.

The best months for a beach holiday are July and August along the north and north-east coast, but remember that the summer to the east of Istanbul is not very sunny and can be rainy, especially in the areas most exposed to the westerlies (while bays such as that of Samsun are relatively sheltered).
In the northeast coast, it goes even worse and the rain may be abundant even in summer.
Along the west coast, the bathing season runs from June to September, the temperature is high and the sun shines. However, as mentioned above, the sea in this area is slightly cooler, and sometimes the Meltem, the northern wind, blows.
Along the southern coast, summer is very hot, so you may prefer the months of June and September in order to avoid the period of the most intense heat, which beyond a certain level, can be felt even at the beach.

What to pack



In winter, on the north and west coast (Izmir and Trabzon), and in the south on the border with Syria, pack warm clothes, such as a sweater, a jacket, and a raincoat or umbrella. In Istanbul, pack warm clothes, such as a down jacket, and a scarf and a hat for cold spells. In Antalya and the south coast, spring/autumn clothes, a sweater, a jacket, and a raincoat or umbrella. In Ankara and the plateau, very warm clothes, such as a down jacket, a hat, a scarf, and gloves.

In summer: on the west and south coast (Izmir, Antalya), pack light clothes, a light sweatshirt for the evening, and a scarf for the breeze. On the north coast (Istanbul, Trabzon), you can bring a sweatshirt or sweater for safety; in the eastern part of the Black Sea coast, you can ass a raincoat or umbrella. In Ankara and the plateau, bring light clothes for the day, a sun hat, and a sweatshirt or sweater for the evening; in the eastern part of the plateau, you can add a jacket for the evening. In the south, on the border with Syria, bring lightweight clothing of natural fibers, a desert turban, and possibly a sweatshirt for outdoor overnight stays.
When going to the reef, you can bring snorkeling equipment, including water shoes or rubber-soled shoes.
When visiting mosques, you must have your shoulders and legs covered, and take off your shoes.
It's better for women to avoid shorts and miniskirts in rural and non-tourist areas.

Climate data - Turkey


Temperatures: °C, Precipitation: mm
Adana
Adana, location on the map
Adana, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.66912172124252117117
Max temp.151720242832343533302317
Precip.11080605050201010254080145
Prec. days101099731135710
Humidity63%61%62%63%63%65%68%66%61%56%58%64%
Day length101112131415141412111010
Sun hours456791111109764

Ankara (805 meters)
Ankara, location on the map
Ankara, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-4-30491316161160-2
Max temp.571217232731312721137
Precip.303535554535201515303545
Prec. days677975223468
Humidity79%72%63%59%56%52%43%42%47%60%71%80%
Day length10111213141515141211109
Sun hours24568911109642

Antalya
Antalya, location on the map
Antalya, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.56811152023242016107
Max temp.151618222632353532272217
Precip.21011595653510552075150270
Prec. days1311108731136812
Humidity65%64%63%64%64%57%55%56%56%57%62%67%
Day length101112131415141412111010
Sun hours566891111109865
Sea temp171717182124272827242119

Bodrum
Bodrum, location on the map
Bodrum, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.8810131621232320171310
Max temp.151518212631343430262016
Precip.135110754020100102040100155
Prec. days121187422135913
Humidity65%64%60%58%56%49%45%49%52%59%63%67%
Day length101112131415141412111010
Sun hours556891111109764
Sea temp171616171922242424221918

Bursa
Bursa, location on the map
Bursa, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.224712161819151163
Max temp.101115192429323228221712
Precip.757570705540201545956575
Prec. days121212119633591013
Humidity76%74%70%68%65%61%57%58%64%74%75%76%
Day length10111213141515141211109
Sun hours3346791097542

Canakkale
Canakkale, location on the map
Canakkale, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.446914182121171396
Max temp.101013172328313227211612
Precip.606570503520205258065100
Prec. days101098642136810
Humidity82%80%78%75%72%67%62%63%68%76%80%81%
Day length10111213141515141211109
Sun hours345791011108643
Sea temp141414151923242423201615

Denizli (425 meters)
Denizli, location on the map
Denizli, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.3461014192222171284
Max temp.111316212732363631251812
Precip.857065555030151015356080
Prec. days121111101063347812
Sun hours456791112109753

Diyarbakir (680 meters)
Diyarbakir, location on the map
Diyarbakir, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-2-2261117222116103-1
Max temp.7101520273439393326169
Precip.6565706550100010355575
Prec. days121113121141127812
Humidity75%70%64%62%54%32%24%24%29%45%62%76%
Day length101112131415141412111010
Sun hours45671012121210754

Edirne
Edirne, location on the map
Edirne, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.014712161818141051
Max temp.7101420263033332821148
Precip.655555455545402040656570
Prec. days767676434668
Day length10111213151515141211109
Sun hours245681011108532

Erzurum (1,900 meters)
Erzurum, location on the map
Erzurum, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-16-15-8-136101040-6-12
Max temp.-4-24121823282824167-1
Precip.202040607540252020452525
Prec. days65910138444756
Humidity81%81%74%65%63%57%50%46%47%62%72%82%
Day length10111213141515141211109
Sun hours445681011108653

Eskisehir (785 meters)
Eskisehir, location on the map
Eskisehir, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-3-20481215151061-1
Max temp.471217232730302620126
Precip.403035304045101515352540
Prec. days121012912103359711
Humidity83%76%67%63%62%60%56%56%60%69%76%83%
Day length10111213141515141211109
Sun hours235681011108642

Gaziantep (700 meters)
Gaziantep, location on the map
Gaziantep, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.014813182222181252
Max temp.81015202632363632251610
Precip.10090705535101010154570105
Prec. days13121211821127913
Humidity72%69%63%59%51%39%33%34%40%51%62%71%
Day length101112131415141412111010
Sun hours445679998653

Iskenderun
Iskenderun, location on the map
Iskenderun, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.91012151923262724201511
Max temp.151619232629313231282217
Precip.100100806555302530656575100
Prec. days1110108632257710
Humidity58%58%61%64%67%68%69%69%63%57%52%56%
Day length101112131415141412111010
Sun hours45679101099864
Sea temp181717182125272828262219

Istanbul
Istanbul, location on the map
Istanbul, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.335814182122181495
Max temp.91012172227303026201511
Precip.6065705535252540408085105
Prec. days9988543357912
Humidity77%76%72%68%68%64%62%64%66%73%75%76%
Day length10111213141515141211109
Sun hours234681010108532
Sea temp888101521242522191411

Izmir
Izmir, location on the map
Izmir, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.447914182121171385
Max temp.121317212631343430251914
Precip.100957555300052040120140
Prec. days7876300024810
Humidity70%67%62%60%54%48%45%48%53%61%67%71%
Day length101112131415141412111010
Sun hours45671011121110754
Sea temp161515161922242423211817

Kayseri (1,050 meters)
Kayseri, location on the map
Kayseri, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-5-4048111413950-4
Max temp.571218232731312721136
Precip.404050456040101015303040
Prec. days911131414102257810
Humidity76%71%62%56%56%50%43%42%45%57%67%77%
Day length101112131415151412111010
Sun hours345681012118653

Konya (1,000 meters)
Konya, location on the map
Konya, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-4-30491417171271-2
Max temp.571218232731312720136
Precip.35252540353025525303550
Prec. days76810127324768
Humidity80%73%60%54%51%43%35%35%40%54%68%80%
Day length101112131415141412111010
Sun hours3567910111110853

Marmaris
Marmaris, location on the map
Marmaris, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.77912162023232016118
Max temp.151518212631343431262016
Precip.23017012060301525102580180290
Prec. days141298432126914
Day length101112131415141412111010
Sun hours456791111119754
Sea temp171716182023252625232118

Mersin
Mersin, location on the map
Mersin, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.881114192326262319139
Max temp.151619222629323331282217
Precip.1158055352510105153580165
Prec. days10977631125611
Day length101112131415141412111010
Sun hours567881010109865
Sea temp181717182125282928262220

Rize
Rize, location on the map
Rize, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.445813182021181496
Max temp.111113162025272825211713
Precip.2251701559095150165195265305245250
Prec. days131213101111101112131213
Sun hours234566655432
Sea temp1099111622252624201612

Samsun
Samsun, location on the map
Samsun, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.445812172021171496
Max temp.111113151924272825211713
Precip.755570555550404550807585
Prec. days1615171514117812141216
Sun hours334568987543
Sea temp988101520242523191512

Sanliurfa (550 meters)
Sanliurfa, location on the map
Sanliurfa, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.3471117222525211695
Max temp.111218233036403934281912
Precip.806560452550510255080
Prec. days1210109820016711
Humidity67%63%54%48%36%27%25%30%35%42%53%65%
Day length101112131415141412111010
Sun hours456891212109754

Trabzon
Trabzon, location on the map
Trabzon, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.5569131821211814107
Max temp.111113162024282825211613
Precip.90657065555035608513510595
Prec. days111011111110791011911
Humidity68%70%73%77%79%75%73%72%73%74%69%68%
Day length10111213141515141211109
Sun hours233467655442
Sea temp1089111622252624201612

Van (1,600 meters)
Van, location on the map
Van, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-6-5-1481216161271-4
Max temp.34713192428292418105
Precip.3530505545155515455045
Prec. days568883222667
Humidity76%77%74%69%65%57%53%50%51%63%71%76%
Day length101112131415141412111010
Sun hours5668912121110764



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 See also (cities or regions):
 Adana
 Ankara
 Antalya
 Bodrum
 Bursa
 Canakkale
 Cappadocia
 Denizli
 Diyarbakir
 Others (expand)
 Edirne
 Erzurum
 Eskisehir
 Gaziantep
 Istanbul
 Izmir
 Kayseri
 Konya
 Marmaris
 Mersin
 Rize
 Samsun
 Sanliurfa
 Trabzon
 Van

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 Azerbaijan
 Bulgaria
 Cyprus
 Georgia
 Greece
 Iran
 Iraq
 Syria

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