Turkey is home to a wide range of climates, from the Mediterranean coast's balmy summers to the snowy peaks of the Anatolian Plateau. It's important for expats and tourists who want to visit Turkey to know about the weather there. Turkey is a big and varied country, and the weather in different parts of the country is very different. Before you go to Turkey, it's important to know what kind of weather to expect so that you can be ready for anything.

The weather along the coast of Turkey tends to be mild and sunny, with hot summers and mild winters. The coastal areas also tend to get a lot of rain during the winter. Inland, temperatures are very cold in the winter months, with snowfall common in some parts of the country. Spring and autumn can bring warm temperatures with occasional showers and thunderstorms.

During the summer months, temperatures can rise above 40 °C (104 °F) across much of the country, including Istanbul and other major cities. The humidity levels can also climb during this period, making it feel even hotter outside. On the plus side, many areas in Turkey receive very little rainfall during this time, making it ideal for beach holidays or outdoor activities like swimming or sunbathing.

In order to have an enjoyable trip to Turkey, it is essential that visitors understand what type of weather they should expect before traveling there. By researching online or talking to an experienced local guide about the weather in Turkey, tourists can better plan their vacation and ensure they will have a pleasant experience in this beautiful Mediterranean country. 

Learn about the typical weather in Turkey in 2023 with the help of this handy guide.

January

In the interior of Turkey, nighttime temperatures in January can drop well below freezing, making it one of the year's coldest months. Expect average highs around 10 °C and average lows around 5 °C in most parts of the country. You may also get snow in some places, especially if you are on higher ground or near mountains.

February

Temperatures begin to creep up slightly during February, with average highs ranging from 11 °C to 14 °C and average lows between 6 °C and 8 °C. There may be occasional snowfall, but it is less common than in January.

March

In March, spring arrives in Turkey, and temperatures become milder overall. Average highs can reach 16 °C or 17 °C, while overnight lows are usually closer to 9 °C or 10 °C. Rainfall is more common at this time of year, so make sure you bring a raincoat!

April

April marks the start of warmer weather across Turkey as summer approaches. Average high temperatures can range from 19 °C to 22 °C, and overnight lows are typically between 11 °C and 13 °C. Rainfall is still common in April, so be ready for both rainy and sunny days.

May

May sees warm temperatures continuing across most parts of Turkey, with average highs ranging from 22 °C to 26 °C and average lows around 14 °C to 16 °C. It's also one of the wettest months, so bring an umbrella if exploring outdoors!

June

June brings hot weather across much of Turkey, with average daily highs reaching 28 °C or higher and nighttime lows staying above 16 °C. Rainfall is still relatively common but not as heavy as May's showers, so don't forget your sunscreen!

July

July is usually the hottest month in most of Turkey, with highs of 30 °C or higher on some days and lows of 18 °C or higher at night. It's also one of the driest months, so there won't be much rain, if any at all!

August

August sees slightly cooler temperatures than July but still generally hot days throughout most parts of Turkey, with daily highs around 28 °C and nighttime lows between 16 °C and 18 °C. Rainfall remains relatively low at this time, but there's still a chance you'll experience some showers while exploring outdoors!

September

As September goes on in Turkey, temperatures start to drop a little bit, but they are still comfortable, with highs between 24 °C and 27 °C during the day and lows between 15 °C and 18 °C at night. Rainfall levels begin increasing again towards late September, so keep your umbrella handy just in case!

October

October marks a noticeable drop in temperature across most parts of Turkey as winter approaches, with daily highs around 20 °C to 23 °C and overnight lows dipping closer to 11 °C to 13 °C. October usually sees more rainfall than September, too, so don't forget your waterproofs!

November

In November, most of Turkey has days with highs between 15 °C and 18 °C and nights with lows below 10 °C. On average, it rains during the day and is below freezing at night. Make sure you dress appropriately for these colder conditions!

December

In December, winter comes to Turkey. Daytime highs rarely go above 12 °C, and nighttime lows can be well below zero, depending on where you are. Snow becomes a possibility throughout many regions around this time, so make sure you pack appropriate clothing, just in case!

Weather by Region in Turkey

Following in this article will provide you with a guide to the weather in Turkey by region so that you can plan accordingly!

Turkey is divided into seven regions by its geographical features, so let’s take a look at the climate and weather patterns in each one.

1. Marmara Region

The Marmara region includes Istanbul and its surrounding area. This region experiences a humid continental climate, which means it has hot summers and cold winters, with temperatures ranging from 5-20 °C (41-68 °F). Rainfall is pretty steady all year round but heaviest in winter months.

2. Aegean Region

The Aegean region's climate can be described as Mediterranean, with mild wet winters and hot dry summers. Temperatures range from 7-30 °C (45-86 °F), and rainfall is highest between October and April.

3. Mediterranean Region

Because it is on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, the Mediterranean region has a pleasant climate all year long. Summers are warm, with average temperatures of 25-30 °C (77-86 °F), while winter temperatures are cooler at 15-20 °C (59–68 °F). Rainfall is highest in the autumn and winter months throughout this region.

4. Central Anatolia

Central Anatolia has a continental climate, which means it experiences scorching hot summers and very cold winters, with temperatures ranging from -5 to 35 °C (23 to 95 °F). Precipitation is fairly low throughout this region, especially during the summer months, when there may be long periods without any rainfall at all.

5. Eastern Anatolia

During the winter, temperatures in this area drop well below zero (from -10 to 0 °C, or 14 to 32 °F). Snowfalls are common here! Summers in East Anatolia tend to be relatively mild when compared to other parts of Turkey; average temperatures range from 10 to 25 °C (50 to 77 °F). Rainfall is low throughout this area but is highest during springtime, like May or June.

6. Southeastern Anatolia

The climate in Southeastern Anatolia is a semi-arid steppe. The summers are usually very hot and dry, while the winters are colder and wetter than the summers (temperatures range from -10°C to 35°C, or 14°F to 95°F). Compared to other times of the year, it rains a lot more in the spring, which is especially important for farming here.

7. Black Sea Region

The Black Sea Region has a humid subtropical climate, which means that summer temperatures range from 20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F), while winter temperatures can drop as low as 10 °C (14 °F). Rainfall tends to be highest around October or November, but generally stays consistent throughout most parts of the year here too!

Now that you know about the different climates throughout Turkey, you can better plan for your next trip or move! Have fun exploring each beautiful corner of this amazing country—happy travels!