Climate of Turkey
Because of its mild climate Turkey is considered the favorite vacation destination for thousands of people around the world. The natural conditions are exceptionally diverse: from glaciers and snow covered mountain peaks to dry prairies. During spring, at the border of the winter and summer tourist seasons, you can ski in the mountains all day long and then spend the evening at the beach where the sea water is already warm and gentle...
The climate in Turkey is subtropical with very pronounced contrasts in temperature and humidity depending on the region. The diversity of the landscapes in this country became the reason for such noticeable differences in climate, flora, and fauna.
The cost of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, the main touristic region of Turkey, the summer is hot and dry, and the winters are rainy, but warm nevertheless. The beach season on the coast of the Turkish Riviera lasts from April until October; all along the sun is shining bright and there are practically no precipitations. During Summer the column of the thermometer rises up to 45°C and even during the night doesn't drop below 30°C. The sea water warms up to +25 - + 28°C during the beach season at the Antalya coast. A similar, but slightly milder climate can be enjoyed all along the coast of the Sea of Marmara.
The best time to go on vacation to the Turkish coast of the Mediterranean is May through September - in May the whole coast is covered by blooming flowers and bright green vegetation, the summer heat does not yet burden, and the sea is already sufficiently warm; September is the beginning of the velvet season, a time when day and nighttime temperature differ only by a few degrees and the water is just amazing!
The Black Sea coast of Turkey also has a mild winter and very warm summer, the humidity is a bit higher though and rain falls more often. The air temperature is slightly lower here compared to the Mediterranean Sea coast, the average is around +27°C, while the water usually warms up to 24-26°C. The central part of Turkey features a continental climate, with cold winters and a dry hot summer, much like the northern part of the country where the winters are characterised by prolonged periods of time when the land is covered with snow.
There is one period of time when you could potentially witness all four of the year's seasons. During Spring you can enjoy the sun and the warmth of the Mediterranean Sea in the South, while others will be skiing in the mountains of the Eastern part of the country. In the Black Sea coastal region spring is characterized by heavy rainfalls, while the South-Eastern part of Anatolia is still covered in snow. In some places the temperature differences can reach 20°C.
