Ankara is the second most populate city and capital in Turkey. The city is situated on a plain highland plateau in central part of the country. Ankara has temperate semi-arid climate with four pronounced seasons. Due to altitude weather in the city is cooler and warmer than in locations on same longitude with lower elevation. It is more similar to localities that located to north from Ankara, such as Odessa, Simferopol of Stavropol.

Summer is hot and long with wide range of average temperatures. Winter is relatively cold. Usually temperature goes below freezing only ate night. Annual amount of precipitation is 402 mm (16”) and most of it falls in autumn and in spring. Summer rains are rare. In winter precipitation usually is in form of snow.

 

Seasons

 

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Ankara

March in Ankara is bit cool with averages from -2 °C (28 °F) to 11 °C (52 °F) and probability of snow. In April weather become warmer with its daily temperatures of 3-16 °C (37-43 °F). Late April is great time to go to sightseeing tour. There are old castles, numerous beautiful mosques and remains of ancient civilizations that are incorporated into architectural ensemble of this outstanding city.

Truly pleasant days come to Ankara in May. At afternoons temperature rises to around 20 °C (68 °F). Some light sweater and jacket are needed because at night air cools down to around 6 °C (43 °F). Wide daily ranges are main feature of weather in Ankara. This occurs due to altitude of the city.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Min average t°: 0 °C (32 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 35 mm (1.4")

April Max average t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Min average t°: +4 °C (39 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 35 mm (1.4")

May Max average t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Min average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 50 mm (2.0")

Spring Holidays

March – International Film Festival.
March 18 – Day of the Battle at Çanakkale.
March 21 – Newrouz.

April – “Med Sura Salonu” international music festival, Ankara Tango Meetin, Iternational Festival of Far East, International Cartoon Film Festival.
April 23 – Children Protection Day.

May – “Flying Broom” International Festival of Films made by Women.
May 1 – Labor Day.
May 19 – Day of youth and sport, Ataturk’s Day.
May 29 – Day of Conquering of Istanbul.

Summer in Ankara

Unlike many other cities in Turkey summer in Ankara is not very hot. In June temperature ranges between 25 °C (77 °F) at afternoon and 9 °C (48 °F) at night. In July and August averages grow to 28 °C (82 °F) and 12 °C (53 °F) respectively. Days with actual temperature above 30 °C (86 °F) are not uncommon too, but due low humidity heat isn’t that uncomfortable. In addition, night brings chilly weather. Precipitation is moderate and decreases with course of the season. Summer visit to Ankara is great chance to go to “Water City”, the biggest aqua-park of the country.

 

Climate of the Summer Months

 

June Max average t°: +27 °C (81 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Sundial in the day: 11 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 30 mm (1.2")

July Max average t°: +30 °C (86 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 12 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 13 mm (0.5")

August Max average t°: +30 °C (86 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 12 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 8 mm (0.3")

Summer Holidays

June or July – March against homophobia and transphobia.

July – Büyük Ankara Festival.

August 30 – Victory Day.

Autumn in Ankara

Days of September are warm enough with their 25 °C (77 °F) of average temperature. At night striking drop occurs and air cools down to 8 °C (46 °F). October brings drizzly rains and in November temperature drops eve lower: to 11 °C (52 °F) at afternoon and -1 °C (30 °F) at night. Amount and frequency of precipitation as well as relative air humidity grow through the season. In late November there is even probability of snow.

Considering given above only first month of autumn is suitable for tourism. Anyway it is necessary to check dates of main Islamic holidays for they are held according to lunar calendar and float between dates of Gregorian calendar from year to year. And it is necessary to memorize customs that are related to certain holidays and life in Turkey in general.

 

Climate of the Autumn Months

 

September Max average t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Min average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 19 mm (0.7")

October Max average t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Min average t°: +7 °C (45 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 20 mm (0.8")

November Max average t°: +13 °C (54 °F) Min average t°: +3 °C (37 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 30 mm (1.2")

Autumn Holidays

October – Sports International Bilkent.
October 29 – Day of the Republic.

November – Efes Pilsen Blues Festival.

Winter in Ankara

January is the coldest months of a year in Ankara while weather in December and February is very similar and bit warmer. Average daytime temperature for this period is 4 °C (39 °F) with night frosts down to -5 °C (23 °F). In warmest days air may warm up to 11-14 °C (52-57 °F). There is almost equal amount of sunny and cloudy days with drizzly rain of sleet. As for entertainment most of museums are up and running in winter too. In addition accommodation pricing and other services are cheaper in winter.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Min average t°: -1 °C (30 °F) Sundial in the day: 3 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 45 mm (1.8")

January Max average t°: +4 °C (39 °F) Min average t°: -4 °C (25 °F) Sundial in the day: 3 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 35 mm (1.4")

February Max average t°: +5 °C (41 °F) Min average t°: -3 °C (27 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 40 mm (1.6")

Winter Holidays

December – Souvenir Fair Ankara, “On Wheels” Festival of European Films.
December 31 – New Year’s Eve.

January 1 – New Year Celebrations.

Main religious observances and holidays are being held according to Islamic moon calendar, so dates of Ramadan, Kurban Bayrami, Asure Gunu and many other festivities in Gregorian calendar vary from year to year.