Palmyra, set in the heart of the Syrian desert, has a hot desert climate with dramatic seasonal contrasts. Summers are long, extremely hot, and rainless, while winters are cool to cold with occasional snow and light rain. The region’s arid steppe environment and abundant sunshine make Palmyra a striking destination for history and adventure seekers.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Palmyra experiences a subtropical desert climate, defined by scorching, dry summers and cool, brief winters. From April to October, the city endures a long, rainless summer, with daytime highs often exceeding 40°C from June to August. Nights offer some relief but remain warm, and humidity is consistently low. Sunshine is abundant, with up to 12–14 hours of daylight in peak summer, making the ancient ruins glow under the desert sun.
Winter, from December to February, is markedly cooler, with average highs around 12–14°C and lows near 3–4°C. Cold waves can occasionally bring temperatures below freezing, and light snowfall is not uncommon, though it rarely accumulates. Most of Palmyra’s scant annual rainfall – about 110–150 mm – falls in winter and early spring, with January typically the wettest month. Spring and autumn are transitional, offering milder temperatures (20–28°C) and pleasant conditions for exploring the oasis and archaeological sites. Winds are generally light, but the region can experience strong southerly winds in spring, sometimes causing sandstorms that reduce visibility and raise temperatures suddenly.
Palmyra’s climate is shaped by its oasis location in the arid steppe, with dramatic diurnal temperature shifts and minimal moisture. Despite the harsh environment, ancient irrigation systems once supported lush gardens and date palms, a testament to the ingenuity of its inhabitants. Today, visitors should be prepared for intense summer heat, chilly winter nights, and the ever-present brilliance of the desert sun.
| Average climate data for Palmyra, Syria | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 29 | 32 | 35 | 37 | 37 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 37 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 18 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 18 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 9 | 10 | 18 | 45 | 94 | 61 | 75 | 84 | 89 | 178 | 103 | 31 | 799 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 5 | 4 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 20 | 13 | 178 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 69 | 57 | 51 | 49 | 54 | 60 | 64 | 68 | 68 | 75 | 79 | 75 | 64 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 19 | 12 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 33 | 38 | 38 | 36 | 40 | 41 | 34 | 29 |
| Average UV index | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
The best time to visit Palmyra is in spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to November), when temperatures are mild, rainfall is minimal, and the desert landscape is most comfortable for sightseeing. April and October are especially pleasant, with highs between 22–30°C and abundant sunshine, ideal for exploring the ancient ruins.
The least favourable time to visit Palmyra is during the peak summer months (June to August), when daytime temperatures regularly exceed 40°C and rain is virtually absent. The intense heat can make outdoor activities dangerous, especially at midday. Winter, while cooler, can bring cold nights and occasional rain or snow.
Palmyra has a hot desert climate with extremely hot, dry summers and cool, brief winters. Summer temperatures often exceed 40°C, while winters are mild to cold with occasional rain and rare snowfall.
The best months to visit Palmyra are April and October, when temperatures are comfortable (22–30°C), skies are clear, and the desert heat is less intense—making it ideal for sightseeing and exploring the ruins.
Palmyra receives very little precipitation, averaging 110–150 mm annually. Most rain falls in winter and early spring. Snow is rare but possible during cold spells, usually melting quickly and not accumulating.
Summers in Palmyra are extremely hot, with daytime highs of 36–40°C or more from June to August. Nights are warm, and humidity is low. Outdoor activities should be planned for early morning or late afternoon.
Sandstorms can occur, especially in spring, when strong southerly winds raise dust and reduce visibility. These events are usually brief but can cause sudden temperature spikes and should be monitored in travel plans.
Pack lightweight, breathable clothing for summer, sun protection, and a hat. In winter, bring layers for cool days and cold nights. A scarf or mask is useful for sandstorms, and always carry water when exploring outdoors.
Yes, Palmyra is suitable for winter travel, with mild daytime temperatures and fewer tourists. However, nights can be cold, and occasional rain or light snow is possible. Dress in layers and check the forecast before visiting.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is April (37.2 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is December (28.3 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 32.6 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is May (26.1 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (18.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 22.2 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is October (178.4 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (9 mm). Over the whole year there are 799.3 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is October (22.6 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (4 days). Over the whole year there are 178.1 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (3 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 6 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is December (0.3 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are May and August (0 days). Over the whole year there are 1.2 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is November (78.5 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (48.8 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 64.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is June (10.7 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is October (6 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 8.1 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is November (41.3 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is February (11.9 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 29.3 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 12.1 h). The months with the shortest days, so the least daylight, are January and December (Average daylight: 11 h). Over the whole year there are 11.6 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 11.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is November (Average sunshine: 5.2 h). Over the whole year there are 8.5 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are March, April and May (UV index: 8). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, October, November and December (UV index: 6). Over the whole year the average UV index is 6.9.
