Index

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• Introduction
• Center-south - Ashgabat, Turkmenbashy, Esenguly
• North - Dashoguz
• When to go
• What to pack

Introduction

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In Turkmenistan, a country of Central Asia, the climate is arid continental, with cold winters, and torrid and sunny summers. Being subject to different air masses, the weather is unstable and there can be cold spells as well as heatwaves. The wind can be strong, raising dust storms.
Much of Turkmenistan is occupied by the Karakum Desert, where in summer the temperature can reach as high as 50 °C (122 °F). The coasts of the Caspian Sea are desert as well, but they are milder in winter, while in summer they are a bit less hot, but more humid. In the north, in the area once occupied by the Aral Sea, we find Lake Sarygamysh, fed by a branch of the Amu Darya River, and once part of the same Aral Sea.
Winter is cold in the north, while it becomes milder in the centre and south: the average temperature in January drops below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) in the north, while in the south it rises to around 5/6 °C (41/43 °F). Due to the aridity of the climate, snowfalls may occur, but they are generally not abundant. Summer is hot everywhere: the daily average temperature in July is around 27/28 °C (81/82 °F) in the north and on the shores of the Caspian Sea, while it can even exceed 30 °C (86 °F) in the centre and south. The mildest area of the country is the south-west, which is less cold in winter, and less hot but more humid in summer, because of the swampy areas that are found there, as well as of the waters of the Caspian Sea.
In the south, we find some mountain ranges, such as Kopet Dag (or Turkmen-Khorasan), from whose slopes hot winds can descend, leading to rapid increases in temperature. Another mountain range, Köýtendag (or Kugitangtau), lies in the east, and reaches its highest point in Mount Aýrybaba, 3,138 metres (10,295 feet) high, which is the highest mountain of the country. On the other hand, to the north there are no obstacles, so cold air masses of Siberian origin can easily reach the country, from April to October, but more likely from November to March.

Center-south

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Ashgabat

The capital Ashgabat is located in the south, at the foothills of the Kopet Dag, from which strong down-slope winds, warm and dry, can blow all year round. Although these mountains are around 3,000 metres (10,000 ft) high, they are almost always devoid of snow, due to the aridity of the climate. In Ashgabat, precipitation amounts to 220 millimetres (8.5 inches) per year, so we are at desert-like levels, but it's still more than in other areas, due to the proximity to the mountains; the rainiest seasons are winter and spring.
Here is the average precipitation.

Winter is a bit cold but not freezing: the average in January is 4 °C (39 °F), and for long periods the temperature can be acceptable. The southern wind can raise the temperature to around 20/25 °C (68/77 °F) even in winter. On the other hand, sometimes cold air masses from Siberia can cause waves of frost, with night temperatures around -10/-15 °C (5/14 °F), and sometimes even lower. Summer, from June to August, is torrid, with highs around 37/38 °C (99/100 °F), but with peaks of 40/42 °C (104/108 °F).
Here are the average temperatures of Ashgabat.

The sun in Ashgabat shines regularly in summer, while in winter it is not seen very often, however, some sunny day can always occur.

Turkmenbashy

Turkmenbashy (formerly Krasnovodsk), is located further north, on the coast of the Caspian Sea, but it's tempered by the waters of the great salt lake, therefore has a similar climate: the average in January is 3.5 °C (38.5 °F), but even this city is not free from cold waves in winter; the average in July is 28.5 °C (83.5 °F), with highs around 35 °C (95 °F), but peaks of 40/42 °C (104/108 °F) are possible here as well.

In Turkmenbashy, the annual precipitation, 125 mm (4.9 in), is typical of a desert climate. Here is the average precipitation.

Esenguly

In the southernmost part of the Caspian Sea coast, near the border with Iran, winter becomes even milder, while summer becomes less hot but decidedly more sultry. Here too, however, intense heat waves from the south are possible, as well as cold waves in winter.
Here are the average temperatures of Esenguly.

North

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Dashoguz

In the far north, in Dashoguz (ex Tashauz), the January average drops to -3.5 °C (25.5 °F), while in July it's 28 °C (82 °F). Summer is therefore still hot, while winter is much colder, and waves of frost are more frequent, during which lows can drop to around -20/-25 °C (-13/-4 °F). Precipitation is still very low, around 100 mm (4 in) per year. Here are the average temperatures.

When to go

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The best times to visit Turkmenistan are spring and autumn, to avoid the extreme temperatures typical of the country, and in particular the months of April and October, bearing in mind that in any case it can get cold at night, especially in the north, and hot during the day, especially in the south. In the capital and in the south, where the hot summer is longer, you can choose the periods from mid-March to mid-April and from mid-October to mid-November.

What to pack

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In winter: in Ashgabat and central and southern main cities, warm clothing, sweater, down jacket, scarf for the wind, being ready to remove the outer layer in mild days, but also to wear warmer clothes during cold waves, therefore with parka, fur hat, scarf, gloves. In the far north, in Dashoguz and Lake Sarygamysh, very warm clothes are almost always necessary.
In summer: lightweight clothes, loose-fitting and made of natural fabric (cotton or linen), sun hat, desert turban, a sweatshirt for the evening, a light sweatshirt for the breeze on the Caspian Sea shores. For the mountains, light clothes for the day, sun hat, sweatshirt and light jacket for the evening, hiking shoes; for the summit of Aýrybaba, sweater and jacket for the evening.
For women, it is best to avoid shorts and miniskirts.

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