Climate in Armenia
Temperatures in Armenia generally depend upon elevation, with wide seasonal variations created by the mountain formations that block the moderating climatic influences of the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.
The Armenian Plateau experiences freezing point temperatures during the winter season, while summer sees a considerable increase in temperatures which exceed 25° C. The lower Arax River valley receives on average 250 millimetres precipitation per year and the highest altitudes about 800 millimetres. The volcanic soil of the plateau is very fertile despite the harsh nature of Armenia’s winter which is in fact considered to be amongst the first in the world to experience agricultural activity.
As a whole, Armenia receives a total average precipitation of 550 mm (21.6 inches) with Ararat Valley undoubtedly being its driest part with only 200-250 mm (7.9 to 10 inches) per year. Understandably, the upper regions receive the most amount of precipitation especially during Spring and early Summer, with a second rainy season in October and November.
Weather changes patterns according to geographical location. For example, it could be hot and sunny in the Ararat valley while in Sevan, which is situated a mere 60 kilometers away, it may be cold and rainy and the upper regions of Aragats might be experiencing ferocious snowfall.
During July temperatures in the Ararat Valley reach highs of 25-30C (77-8 F) and the middle mountain regions reach summer heights of 18-20 C (64-68 F). The highest temperature ever recorded is 42 C (107.6 F) and it occurred in the Ararat Valley.
Usual January temperatures in the Ararat Valley drop as low as 5 to -7 C (23 to 19 F) with an absolute recorded minimum of -30 C (-22 F). during the same period the middle mountain regions common lows of -8 to -12 C (16 to 12 F) and an absolute low of -46 C (-46 F) recorded at April.
On an average, Armenia experiences 250 frost-free days in the Ararat Valley and between 150 to 200 in the middle mountain areas. Meanwhile the upper elevations are almost permanently covered in frost as no more than 30-50 days are considered frost-free.
