Climate in Ankara

Climate in the Mediterranean, Aegean and the Marmara regions is characterised by hot and dry summers and mild winters. Turkey’s capital receives most of its rainfall during November-February, while in midsummer temperature rise up to 30 C, but thanks to the influence of the sea breezes the air remains relatively cool. Ankara’s coastal areas are popular amongst local and overseas tourists attracted to the area by its reputation of having plenty of sunshine and warm sea. Apart from the tourist impact on its economy, the coastal areas are also suitable for agriculture as most of the region’s fruit, vegetables, cotton, grain and tobacco are grown here, while bananas can only be grown along the Mediterranean coast. The Black Sea area experiences a lot cooler and rainier climate and its habitants grow maize, rice, barley, potatoes, sugar roots, onions and hemp. As the rain falls all year around and the climate is mild, conditions are also favourable also for tea plantations and hazelnuts.

In contrast, summers in the highlands are hot and the winters cold, and in the mountains snow is not considered a rare occurrence during the summer months. Agriculture and cattle breeding are of an immense importance to the highlands region. While grapes are grown in certain places, most of the area is suitable for wheat, beans, potatoes and sugar.

Eastern Anatolia is 2000 meters from the sea level in average. Here summers are cool while the winters tend to be very cold and snowy. Although only one tenth of the soil is fertile agriculture and cattle breeding offer the best opportunities for the locals to earn a living. Eastern Anatolia’s soil is most favourable for the growth of wheat, barley, cotton, tobacco and sugar roots, while sheltered valleys fruits can be grown. Apricots from Malatya are famous and considered to be the best in Turkey.

Southeaster Turkey is under the influence of continental climate of the Central Anatolia and the Mediterranean climate, with long, hot summer and short, rainy winters. Since the implementation of the South Eastern Anatolia project (GAP), the climate has become more favourable for agriculture as the dry season has become shorter and rainfalls have increased.