The Diverse Climate Regions of Turkey

The interior of Turkey, including the central Anatolian plateau, has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Temperatures can reach up to 40 °C in the summer months and drop below freezing in winter. The region also experiences considerable temperature fluctuations between day and night.

The warmest region of the country is south-eastern Anatolia on the border with Iraq and Syria with a semi-arid climate. During the summer months, temperatures often rise to over 45°C and there is often no rainfall for long periods. Less than 600 ml of precipitation per year makes for a pronounced steppe climate.

The Black Sea region on the north coast of the country is the coolest part of Turkey and is largely isolated from the Mediterranean influences by the surrounding mountains. The Black Sea ensures a balanced and temperate climate throughout the year without major temperature fluctuations. Rainfall is high all year round, which leads to particularly lush vegetation. Summers are therefore warm and humid, but do not reach extreme levels. Winter is also mild but rainy and snow can also fall at higher altitudes.

The eastern mountain regions of the Taurus and Zagros Mountains have a harsher climate with long, cold and snowy winters and short summers.›

Turkey is a country that spans across Europe and Asia, resulting in an incredibly diverse climate. Depending on which region you are in, you can experience everything from hot, dry summers to cold, snowy winters Let’s take a closer look at the main climate zones found across Turkey

Mediterranean Climate

The Mediterranean climate dominates the southern coastal regions of Turkey. This includes popular destinations like Antalya, Izmir Adana and Mugla. Summers here are hot and dry with average temperatures between 79-84°F. Winters are mild and wet, with average temperatures of 45-50°F. Annual rainfall is fairly high, around 600-1200mm. Precipitation falls mostly in the winter, while summers receive very little rain. The Mediterranean climate allows for the growth of heat tolerant broadleaf trees and shrubs.

Black Sea Climate

As the name suggests, the Black Sea climate prevails along Turkey’s northern coast bordering the Black Sea. Summers are warm and humid while winters are cool and wet. In coastal areas, average summer temperatures are around 68-77°F. However, at higher elevations farther inland summers are much cooler. Winters average 34-43°F near the coast, while dropping below freezing farther inland. Snowfall is common in winter, especially at higher elevations. Annual rainfall is high, averaging 78-98 inches, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

Continental Climate

Continental climates dominate the Anatolian plateau in central Turkey. This highland region experiences extreme seasonal variations. Summers are hot and dry, with average temperatures of 79-86°F. Winters are frigid, with average temperatures below freezing. Snow can accumulate over 3 feet and remain on the ground for up to 4 months. Rainfall is relatively low, averaging 12-20 inches annually. Most precipitation falls in the spring and early summer. The large temperature differences between seasons is due to the high elevation and distance from moderating sea influences.

Marmara Climate

The Marmara region has a transitional climate between the Mediterranean and Continental zones. This includes Istanbul and other cities surrounding the Sea of Marmara. Summers are warm, with average highs around 75°F. Winters are cool and damp, averaging in the mid 30s to low 40s. Snowfall occurs but does not persist for long. Annual rainfall averages 24-43 inches. Thunderstorms are common in early summer. Overall, the Marmara climate is classified as marine west coast due to the proximity and moderating effects of the surrounding seas.

Southeastern Anatolia Climate

Southeastern Anatolia has a steppe or semi-arid climate. Summers are very hot, similar to the Mediterranean zone, with average highs over 100°F. However, winters are colder than the Mediterranean coast, with average lows in the 20s. Annual precipitation is fairly low, averaging 12-20 inches. Most rainfall occurs in winter and spring. Summers are hot and dry. The region’s proximity to the Syrian Desert contributes to higher aridity compared to other parts of Anatolia.

Eastern Anatolia Climate

Eastern Anatolia has a highland continental climate, characterized by cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. Winters average in the 20s, while summer highs are in the 70s and 80s. Snowfall averages 18-39 inches and can persist into late spring due to the high elevation. Most precipitation falls in spring and early summer. In the winter, eastern Anatolia can be one of the coldest places in Turkey, along with the interior northeast.

As you can see, Turkey’s landscapes support a diverse range of climates. The Mediterranean zone is ideal for beach holidays. The mountains offer cooler summer weather. And the interior provides a truly continental climate with real winter weather. No matter what climate you prefer, you’re sure to find it somewhere in Turkey!

Record months last yearWe compared the record values of the past months with those of the same months in previous years. We used the same criteria to examine the respective maximum and minimum values in the categories of average temperature, precipitation, hours of sunshine and the maximum and minimum temperatures measured throughout the country. We have listed all measured values that have not been reached in Turkey for 10 or more years.

At 5.45°C, January 2024 was the warmest January in 21 years (5.45°C in 2003).
With 4.24 liters of precipitation in 2023, November was the wettest in 22 years (4.48 l/m² in 2001).
With a total of 9.67 rainy days, it rained more often in November 2023 than it has in the same month for 16 years (10.26 days in 2007).
At 27.18°C, August 2023 was the warmest August in 13 years (27.38°C in 2010).
With just 0.27 liters of precipitation in 2023, August was drier than it had been for 17 years (0.14 l/m² in 2006).
With only 1.21 days of rain, it rained less in August 2023 than it has for 17 years (0.79 days in 2006).
With 10.19 hours of sunshine per day in August 2023, there was more sunshine than in any August in the last 13 years (10.31 hours in 2010).
With 0.81 liters of precipitation in 2023, July was the wettest in 14 years (6.98 l/m² in 2009).
At 16.36°C, May 2023 was the coldest May in 12 years (15.68°C in 2011).
With 3.00 liters of precipitation in 2023, April was the wettest in 12 years (3.37 l/m² in 2011).
With a total of 11.65 rainy days, it rained more often in April 2023 than it has in the same month for 12 years (12.79 days in 2011).
With 5.83 hours of sunshine per day in April 2023, there was less sunshine than in any April in the last 12 years (4.73 hours in 2011).
With 3.09 liters of precipitation in 2023, March was the wettest in 27 years (3.14 l/m² in 1996).
With 4.60 hours of sunshine per day in March 2023, there was less sunshine than in any March in the last 14 years (4.49 hours in 2009).

The most recent months after February 2024 are not yet available here. We only calculate climatic comparisons after a large number of weather stations on a continent have checked and published their data.

Regions in TurkeyAll figures per year. For detailed climate data click on the name of the region.

The coldest day in these 75 years was reported by the Erzurum weather station. Here the temperature dropped to -36.0 °C in January 2009. Erzurum lies at an altitude of 1,758 meters above sea level. The coldest winter (December to February) was in 1992 with an average temperature of 0.7 °C. In Turkey, it is usual to have about 3.8 degrees more at 4.5 °C for this three-month period.

The most precipitation fell in July 2009. With 322.5 mm per day, the Izmir weather station recorded the highest monthly average of the last 75 years. Incidentally, the region with the most rainfall for the whole year is around Rize. The driest region is near Konya.

Seasons in Turkey: Temperature and Climate by Month

FAQ

What is the typical climate in Turkey?

Its summers are generally cool for the Mediterranean, but warm for oceanic climates, with means around 20–25 °C (68–77 °F), varying on a microclimatic level. Winter means range between 2–6 °C (36–43 °F), with a noticeable decrease further inland. Precipitation amounts to 600–1,100 millimetres (24–43 in).

What is the hottest month in Turkey?

Summers are sunny, and August is the warmest month, averaging about 23 °C. Winters are typically cloudy, and February temperatures can dip to 5 °C. Istanbul is prone to snow during the winter as cold Siberian winds meet the Black Sea’s warm waters, creating snow storms in a phenomenon called the lake-effect.

Does Turkey have a hot climate?

Turkey’s climate varies by region, but summer means hot sunny weather all around. On the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts temperatures reach 30°C and above in July. Spring and summer are pleasantly warm, and winters average around 10°C, but there can be some rain showers. The Black Sea coastline is more humid and wet.

Does Turkey have four seasons?

The beautiful landscapes include beaches on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, unique rock formations in Cappadocia, and the stunning Pamukkale terraces. Turkey is a country in Europe and Asia with a lot of history, culture, and beautiful landscapes. Turkey has four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.