I stanbul Weather.Net

Istanbul Weather

Istanbul weather can be described as a Mediterranean climate. Although Istanbul is largely characterized by Mediterranean climate there are some areas that exhibit microclimates. For instance northern areas of the city have been identified to exhibit an oceanic climate due to the humidity that comes from the Black Sea and densely packed vegetation. Climate in the populated areas of the city is warm and is not affected by high levels of humidity.

Temperatures

Summers in Istanbul are characterized by warm weather with high temperatures averaging 28C (82 F) being recorded in July and August. Extreme temperatures are not very common in Istanbul as temperatures rarely go above 32 C (90 F) and if they do, they only do so for less than 5 days per year on average. Istanbul weather is characterized by mild springs and autumns. Cold winds from the northwest and warm winds from the south can cause temperature fluctuations sometimes in the same day. The highest temperature ever recorded in the city was 40.5 C (105 F) and the lowest temperature ever recorded was -16 C (3 F).

Precipitation

Rainfall is not very common in Istanbul with the city having only 5 rainy days per month on average. Winters are cold with snow and temperatures in January and February average 4 C (39 F). Heavy snowfalls can occur during winter although snow cover and freezing temperatures only last for a few days. Spring and autumn temperatures are very mild coupled with some unpredictable rains. Istanbul weather has an annual average of 124 precipitation days which results in an annual average of 855 mm (33.7 inches) of precipitation. The highest amount of rainfall recorded in Istanbul was 227 mm (8.9 inches) while the heaviest snowfall ever recorded was 80 cm (31 inches).

Mediterranean Climate Described

Istanbul weather is a kind of subtropical climate which is typical for most lands located in the Mediterranean basin. Mediterranean climate is characterized by warm to hot summers which are usually dry and mild to cool winters which are often wet. Koppen climate classification classifies dry summer subtropical climates as Mediterranean. In their warmest months these climatic zones have temperatures averages above 10 C (50 F) and temperature averages that range between 18 to -3 C (64 to 27 F) in the coldest months. Mediterranean climate is characterized by subtropical high pressure cells during summer which make rainfall impossible except the occurrence of occasional thunderstorms. Because of that regions with a Mediterranean climate receive most of their rainfall during winter.

Oceanic Climate

Istanbul weather is also characterized by sections that experience oceanic climate. Oceanic climate is a climate that features warm summers and cool winters. Temperatures do not vary significantly between seasons. Oceanic climates do not have dry seasons as precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year.

Precipitation in oceanic climates is very consistent and reliable except in tropical highlands. The majority of precipitation in an oceanic climate comes in the form of rain. In winter areas that have oceanic climates do experience snowfall with chances of snow storms once a year. Dry summers are a typical feature which differentiates areas that experience a Mediterranean climate and those that experience an oceanic climate. An oceanic climate will have precipitation levels that surpass 30 mm (1.2 inches) or 40 mm (1.6 inches) under Koppen climate classification. The microclimates in Istanbul are also characterized by cloudy conditions which cause the areas to receive more rainfall throughout the year. Although Istanbul has sections that experience oceanic climates, these areas still have features that resemble Mediterranean climatic zones.

Temperatures vary significantly in oceanic climates. Areas that are located in low latitudes experience conditions that are almost subtropical. A mesodermal regime prevails in an oceanic climate with winters that are cool but not cold and summers that are warm but not hot. Summers in oceanic climates are much cooler than summers in areas that have a humid subtropical climate. In an oceanic climate average temperatures for the warmest month must be lower than 22C (72 F) and that of the coldest month must be higher than -3 C (27 F).

Istanbul Weather And Vegetation

Istanbul vegetation has to adapt to long summer droughts in summer and prolonged wet periods in winter. Vegetation found in Istanbul includes; evergreen trees such as pines and cypress trees, deciduous trees such as oaks and buckeyes, shrubs such as bay laurel and chamise and grasses such as themeda triandra, sedges and sagebrushes. Vegetation in Istanbul is well adapted to withstand harsh weather conditions including floods and fires.