Istanbul Weather

Istanbul, where is a fascinating mixture of modernity and tradition. 

Even though Turkey is located in a Mediterranean geographical location with a moderate climate, due to the various natural topological irregularities in the region and, more importantly, the existence of mountains that are parallel to the coasts of Turkey, such as the Black sea and the Mediterranean Sea have caused differences in weather conditions in different areas of the country. The weather in the country of Turkey varies from region to region. The coastal areas experience mainly mild weather, while inland parts of the country, the temperature is typically hot in summers and cold in winters, with little rainfall. Moreover, in Istanbul and around the Sea of Marmara, the climate is moderate (winter 4°C and summer 27°C); in winter, however, the temperatures can drop below zero.

When is the Best Time to Travel to Turkey

Generally, Istanbul is classified as having a semi-humid climate. Generally, Istanbul is classified as having a semi-humid climate. It is worth mentioning that this region has many windy days throughout the year; however, it experiences proportionally few sunny days in a year. Istanbul WeatherThe megacity of Istanbul is the biggest city in Turkey and one of the world's most populous cities. Istanbul is geographically located in the northwest of Turkey. This megacity is the heart of Turkey owing to the industry, commercialization, culture, and tourism. This city covers an area of approximately 5,400 km2 and has many hills, with the highest point of 540 m at Aydos Hill. Istanbul’s climate is usually warm and dry in summer and cold and wet in winter.

Istanbul contains many hills and valleys topographically. Thus, Istanbul’s temperature and precipitation change from one side to the other. The average annual temperature is about 13.8∘C, with a monthly maximum of 22.8∘C in August and a monthly minimum of 5.3∘C in February. The total annual precipitation is 837.5 mm, with a monthly maximum of 128.4 mm in December and a monthly minimum of 31.9 mm in July. As a result of its location, Istanbul has a complex climate that both carries the properties of the Mediterranean climate and interacts with the surrounding climate zones. Thus, Istanbul is in the Mediterranean climate zone. In this climate regime, as mentioned, summers are hot and dry, and winters are cold and rainy. The summers are dry mainly due to the Hadley circulatory cell slipping north, thus strengthening the Azor high-pressure system. During cold periods, Atlantic-based low-pressure systems that carry precipitation to Turkey cannot penetrate the Mediterranean basin due to the strengthened Azor high in summer, so rains decline throughout the basin. However, other climate zones in the surrounding areas, besides the Mediterranean climate, affect Istanbul. The presence of the Bosporus as a channel and the absence of mountain ranges in the north-south axis allow air flows and precipitation from Siberia and the Balkans in the north and from the Sahara Desert in the south.

When to visit Istanbul?

January: Freezing weather. Carry Heavy woolen clothes & umbrella.

February: Freezing weather. Carry Heavy woolen clothes & umbrella.

March: Freezing weather. Carry Heavy woolen clothes & umbrella.

April: Cold weather. Carry Heavy woolen clothes.

May: Cold weather. Carry Heavy woolen clothes.

June: Pleasant weather. Carry Light woolen clothes.

July: Pleasant weather. Carry Light woolen clothes.

August: Pleasant weather. Carry Light woolen clothes.

September: Pleasant weather. Carry Light woolen clothes.

October: Cold weather. Carry Heavy woolen clothes & umbrella.

November: Cold weather. Carry Heavy woolen clothes & umbrella.

December: Freezing weather. Carry Heavy woolen clothes & umbrella.

Finally!

Istanbul, the heart of Turkey and located between Europe and Asia, generally has a semi-humid and Mediterranean climate. Therefore, this region experiences warm and dry summers and cold and rainy winters. Tourists are strongly advised to check the best time to visit this charming city to enjoy their trip.