Ankara, Turkey’s capital, has a continental climate marked by hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Elevated at nearly 940 metres, the city experiences wide seasonal temperature swings, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine in summer. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant, making Ankara a dynamic destination for both cultural exploration and outdoor activities.
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.
Ankara’s climate is shaped by its inland location and elevation. Summers (June–August) are hot and dry, with average highs of 30–31°C and occasional peaks above 35°C. Nights are cooler, typically around 16–18°C, and humidity is low, making the heat more bearable. Rain is scarce in summer, with July and August often seeing less than 20 mm per month. Sunshine is abundant, with up to 10–12 hours per day in midsummer, and daylight stretches to nearly 15 hours in June and July.
Winters (December–February) are cold and often snowy, with average highs of 4–7°C and lows around -3 to -4°C. Snowfall is common, and cold snaps can push temperatures well below freezing, though thaws also occur. January is the coldest month, and daylight is limited to about 8–9 hours. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional and generally mild, with temperatures ranging from 12–26°C and moderate rainfall – May is the wettest month. These seasons are ideal for sightseeing, with blooming parks in spring and colourful foliage in autumn. Ankara receives about 390–400 mm of precipitation annually, most of it in spring and autumn. Winds are moderate, averaging 10–15 km/h, and the city enjoys over 2,300 hours of sunshine per year.
| Average climate data for Ankara, Turkey | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 4 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 22 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 30 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -3 | -2 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 7 | 2 | -1 | -3 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 42 | 37 | 40 | 47 | 52 | 35 | 14 | 11 | 19 | 29 | 32 | 44 | 400 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 105 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
The best time to visit Ankara is from April to June and September to October, when temperatures are mild (16–26°C), rainfall is moderate, and the city’s parks and outdoor attractions are at their best. These months offer ideal weather for sightseeing, festivals, and enjoying Ankara’s vibrant café culture.
The least favourable time is from December to February, when Ankara is coldest and snowiest. Freezing temperatures, short days, and frequent snow or slush can limit outdoor activities, though the city’s museums and cafés remain welcoming for winter travellers.
Ankara has a continental climate with hot, dry summers (30–31°C), cold, snowy winters (4–7°C by day, -3°C at night), and mild, pleasant springs and autumns. Rain falls mainly in spring and autumn.
The best time to visit Ankara is from April to June and September to October, when temperatures are mild, rainfall is moderate, and the city’s parks and festivals are most enjoyable.
Yes, Ankara experiences regular snowfall in winter, especially from December to February. Snow can be heavy at times, but thaws are also common, and the city often looks picturesque under a fresh layer of snow.
Summer temperatures in Ankara often reach 30–31°C, with peaks above 35°C during heatwaves. Nights are cooler, and humidity is low, making the heat more comfortable than in coastal cities.
Ankara receives about 390–400 mm of rain annually, with most precipitation in spring and autumn. Summers are generally dry, while winters see snow and occasional rain.
Yes, Ankara enjoys over 2,300 hours of sunshine per year. Summer is especially sunny, with up to 12 hours of sun daily, while winter days are shorter and cloudier.
Pack layers for spring and autumn, sun protection for summer, and warm, waterproof clothing for winter. A rain jacket or umbrella is useful in spring and autumn, and sturdy shoes are recommended year-round.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (30.2 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (4.3 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 17.8 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (16 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-3.1 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 6.4 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is May (52 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is August (10.7 mm). Over the whole year there are 400.4 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is May (12.7 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (2.8 days). Over the whole year there are 104.6 days of rain on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 11.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 1.9 h). Over the whole year there are 6.4 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 10). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.6.
