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Climate
Climate
Armenia is by right called the land of
sunshine, the average annual number of sunshine hours in the Ararat Valley, for
instance, being 2700, almost as many as in Egypt. Yet because of specific
geographical features, this southern spot, on the same latitude as Spain, can
be as cold as minus 46° Centigrade, although admittedly extremely rarely, and
then only in some districts. Generally speaking, there are many different types
of climate within Armenia because of its mountainous terrain. In the valleys
and foothills (precisely where Yerevan is situated), the climate is dry and
continental, with a hot summer and moderately cold winter. Summers are dry and
sunny, lasting from June to mid-September. The temperature fluctuates between
22° and 36 °C/71-97 °F. However, the low humidity level mitigates the effect of
high temperatures. Evening breezes blowing down the mountains provide a welcome
refreshing and cooling effect. Springs are short, while falls are long. Autumns
are known for their vibrant and colorful foliage. Winters are quite cold with
plenty of snow, with temperatures ranging between -10° and -5 °C/14-23 °F.
Winter sports enthusiasts enjoy skiing down the hills of Tsakhkadzor, located
thirty minutes outside Yerevan. Lake Sevan nestled up in the Armenian
highlands, is the second largest lake in the world relative to its altitude,
1,900 meters above sea level. The best season in Armenia is autumn, when there
is a long spell of clear weather, when the bountiful harvest of grapes, fruit
and vegetables has been gathered in, the young wine ferments, gathering
strength in oak barrels, and the time of noisy, joyful weddings arrives.
