Weather in Turkey

Turkey is a vast country with huge variability in climate. Along Turkey's coast, the weather is influenced by the adjacent sea. The Mediterranean Sea produces the country's famed hot summers and mild winters, while areas close to the Black Sea have cooler summers and modest ranges in temperature. The weather in Turkey's interior features an even greater contrast, with hot summers and cold winters. 

The capital, Ankara, has warm and dry summers with averages of 68°F (20°C), and cold and snowy winters. January, the coldest month, generally has an average temperature of 30°F (-1°C). Ankara's rainy season is in spring, and it's particularly wet during May.

The majority of expats choose to settle in Istanbul, which can be windy throughout the year. Summer in Istanbul is from June to September, and features hot and humid weather with temperatures averaging 82°F (28°C). Summers are also usually drier, though rain can occur year round. Winters, which begin in December and end in March, are characterised by cold, wet and occasionally snowy weather, but temperatures rarely reach freezing.