WEATHER IN TURKEY

     Turkey is big enough to have differant climates for each region. The country is divided into seven regions because of the differences in climate and geographical landscapes.
     The Agean and Mediterranean coasts coasts have cool, rainy winters and hot summers with humidity above the average. Almost no snow and sometimes frost on cold winter nights. One can swim in the beautiful waters of the coast from early April to mid-October.
      In Istanbul, the Marmara and Thrace you can expect snow from December - February. It snows not more than three or four times in Istanbul. And if it does the snow will melt away the next day with the shining sun.
      The Black Sea coast receives the most amount of rainfall within all the regions. It even does rain in summer times to high mountains. The best time to go for trekking and hiking to the magnificient mountains of Eastern Black Sea would be in early July till late August.
       Eastern part of Turkey can be the most tough place to visit if you are not ready for it. In summer it is hot and dry , winters are fiercely cold with frequent, heavy snow fall. In some days people can not get our of their homes for several days under heavy snow storms
untill the rescue teams reach. Temperatures may go down to -30º C to 40º C and snow may stay up to 120 days on mountainous areas. Spring and autumn are mild, but sudden changes in temperatures should be expected.
       Southeastern Anatolia is the driest region. It has a similar climate to the eastern part of Turkey but it is more hot and dry. Travellers should have air-conditioned vehicles in these regions. I remember those days 12 years ago when we placed a bucket filled with
water in the middle of the bus and everyone would wetten their scarves, and put it on their face infront of the wide open windows when our air condition got broke.
       Central Anatolia and cappadocia can be bitterly cold in winter, but it is not as cold as the Eastern part of Turkey. In summers the weather is clear and warm and in spring and autumn it is mild. Konya Plateu is the driest region.
      
       If you are coming to Istanbul just for a few days anytime is fine but don't forget to take a thick coat and water proof shoes in winter time. More about this on what to wear.

Related pages:

Rainfall In Turkey