The territory of the Republic of Armenia is located in the northern part of the subtropical zone.
Throughout the year, the air masses over the country are dominated by westerly flows. During the cold half of the year, temperate—and occasionally Arctic—air masses penetrate the region. In valleys and basins, temperature inversions often occur during winter.
During the warm half of the year, the territory is influenced by tropical hot and dry air masses coming from the Iranian Plateau and the Arabian deserts.
Due to the relief, solar radiation, air pressure, and precipitation patterns, Armenia is divided into eight climatic zones: dry subtropical, dry extreme continental, moderately hot, moderately continental, dry continental, temperate mountainous, cold mountainous, and snow-adjacent mountainous zones.
Atmospheric Pressure
The annual average atmospheric pressure in Armenia ranges from 1015.7 to 1018.6 mb. High pressure predominates in winter, while low pressure is typical in summer.
In January, the average pressure ranges from 1028.2 to 1029.9 mb, and in July from 1009.6 to 1004.4 mb.
The annual average pressure in lowland areas (627 m, Meghri) is 940.6 mb, whereas in highland regions (3229 m, Aragats peak) it is 686.6 mb. Minimum values are observed in January (Meghri 936.2 mb; Aragats 680.3 mb) and maximum values in July (Meghri 942.3 mb; Aragats 691.3 mb).
In Yerevan (907 m), the maximum atmospheric pressure reaches 934.1 mb (700.63 mm Hg) during cold months, while the minimum drops to 877.7 mb (658.32 mm Hg) in July.
During a typical day, two maximum pressure values are observed (9–10 a.m. and 9–10 p.m.) and two minimum values (3–4 a.m. and 1–4 p.m.).
Sunshine
The territory is characterized by a sunny climate. In Yerevan, the sun’s altitude at noon reaches 28° above the horizon in December and 71° in June, with daylight hours ranging from 5 hours 3 minutes to 9 hours 17 minutes.
The annual solar radiation balance is positive, ranging between 40–70 kcal/m². However, due to the mountainous terrain, at elevations above 3200 m, it can become negative.
The strongest direct solar radiation occurs from June to August, peaking in July, and is weakest in the second half of December. The maximum solar radiation intensity is recorded at the high-mountain station on Aragats (1.74–1.75 kcal/cm²), while in Yerevan it ranges from 1.57–1.58 kcal/cm² and on Lake Sevan Island 1.69 kcal/cm² per minute.
During the day, the highest total radiation occurs around midday, while the lowest occurs around 5–6 p.m., due to evening cloud cover.
The annual average sunshine duration in Armenia ranges from 1,930 hours in Ijevan to 2,780 hours in Martuni, with the longest durations in the Ararat Plain and the Sevan Basin. Minimum sunshine occurs in December, ranging from 2 hours per day (Artashat) to 5.5 hours (Martuni), and maximum in July, from 6.4 hours (Vanadzor) to 11.9 hours (Areni).
The average annual number of days without sunshine ranges from 19 hours (Sevan Peninsula) to 64 hours (Ijevan). Cloudy days are most frequent in the northern and northeastern regions, especially in the Lori Plain and Ijevan. In high-mountain zones, during nearly six months (November to April), the actual number of sunshine hours is less than 50% of the possible maximum.
Temperature
Air temperature decreases by approximately 0.55°C for every 100 m of elevation. The annual mean temperature ranges from −2.7°C at the peak of Aragats to +13.8°C in Meghri.
In January, the coldest month, the mean temperature varies between +1.2°C and −12.8°C, with local temperatures sometimes dropping even lower during the day. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Armenia (−46°C) was in the Arpi Lake basin, in the village of Paghakn, where cold air accumulates and contributes to the extreme cooling of near-ground air.
During the hottest months (July and August), the average temperature ranges from +9°C to +26°C, with the maximum temperature (+43°C) recorded in the Ararat Plain (Yeraskh).
In winter, the daily minimum temperature typically occurs between 7–8 a.m., and the maximum between 1–2 p.m. In summer, the corresponding hours are 4–5 a.m. and 2–3 p.m., with occasional irregular fluctuations.
Precipitation
In Armenia, precipitation generally increases with elevation, reaching its maximum near the summit of Mount Aragats. Annual precipitation varies widely, from 230 to 1,100 mm. The heaviest rainfall occurs on the windward slopes of peripheral mountains, while the lowest amounts are observed in low-lying intermountain basins, especially in the Ararat Plain (230–300 mm). In the mid-altitude mountain zones, annual precipitation reaches 600–700 mm.
Precipitation is unevenly distributed throughout the year. The heaviest falls occur in May–June, while the lowest occurs in mid-August to early September and during winter. Late spring and early summer rains are often intense, leading to floods and mudflows.
During winter, precipitation mainly falls as snow. However, in lowland areas such as Meghri, the lower Debed basin, and partially the Ararat Plain, a stable snow cover does not form. In higher areas, snow cover persists until mid-summer, and in high mountains (Aragats, Kaputjugh), snowfields remain throughout the year.
The number of days with measurable precipitation also increases with altitude: 80 days in the Ararat Plain, 130 in Garnahovt, 136 in Sevan, and 179 near the summit of Aragats.
Humidity
Absolute humidity reaches its highest values in summer, particularly in the northeast of the country, peaking in July at 16–17 mb, while the lowest occurs in January in high-mountain zones, around 2 mb. Relative humidity decreases during the warm half of the year, reaching 32–45% in August–September. Maximum relative humidity occurs in winter in high-mountain areas (80–90%).
Evaporation is minimal in January–February and reaches its peak in July–August.
Wind
Armenia is characterized by a variable wind regime. Westerly airflows dominate for most of the year, but in mountainous terrain, especially in lowland areas, winds are often deflected from their original course. Westerly wind directions persist year-round only at elevations above 2,500–3,000 m.
Typical wind types include sea/lake breezes, föhn winds, and mountain-valley winds. Breezes are common along the shores of Lake Sevan, Lake Arpi, Aparan, and other large reservoirs. In the Sevan basin (especially the Masrik Plain), breezes are observed from April to October. Winds from the lake can reach speeds of 1.8 m/s, while those from the land reach up to 2.4 m/s.
Föhn winds are typical in the Agstev valley, the Sevan basin (particularly around Gavar), and Zangezur. These winds are especially pronounced in the Sevan–Agstev valley section, where they reduce relative humidity in Dilijan and Ijevan during winter compared to summer.
Mountain-valley winds occur almost everywhere in Armenia, particularly on clear summer days. In the Ararat basin, they strengthen from June to September (3–20 m/s). Valley winds start in the morning, reaching maximum speed around noon. Mountain winds begin in the evening (approximately 6–7 p.m.) and peak between 10–11 p.m. In Yerevan, these winds begin before sunset (4–5 p.m.), helping to keep summer nights relatively cool.
Climatic Seasons
Since Armenia is a mountainous country, the duration of its climatic seasons varies depending on the absolute elevation of the terrain.
In high-mountain areas above 2,500 meters, the severe, snow-rich winter lasts 7–8 months, from October to May. In mid-altitude mountain zones (1,500–2,500 meters), winter is about two months shorter, starting one month later and ending one month earlier.
In lowland areas (up to 1,300–1,500 meters), winter is shorter, typically beginning in mid-December and ending at the end of February. In Meghri, winter lasts only about three weeks, and stable snow cover often does not form. A similar situation is observed in some northern and northeastern regions of the country (e.g., Noyemberyan and Ijevan), where stable snow cover does not form every year, and the average January temperature does not drop below –1° to –5°C.
Spring, depending on elevation, may last from 1.5 to 8 months. The start of spring varies widely across the country, from January to May (for example, in Meghri spring begins in late January, whereas in high-mountain areas it begins at the end of May).
In lowland areas, summer lasts from mid-May to early October, with average temperatures ranging between +24° and +26°C. In high-mountain regions, summer is short and cool, with July averages not exceeding +15°C.
Autumn begins when the daily average temperature falls below 15°C. This season is particularly pronounced in lowland areas and, to a lesser extent, in mid-altitude mountains.
Hazardous Phenomena
The most common hydrometeorological hazards in Armenia include mudflows, floods, storms, avalanches, droughts, landslides, hail, and frost.
Approximately 30% of the country’s territory is regularly affected by mudflows. Floods, causing significant material damage, are not uncommon, particularly in the Lori and Tavush provinces.
During the warm half of the year, thunderstorms and tornadoes may occur. Wind speeds during storms can reach 25–40 m/s. Storms are often accompanied by heavy rainfall, lightning, and occasionally hail.
Tornadoes (also called waterspouts or “smerch”) sometimes occur. Their movement speed is typically 30–40 km/h, and internal wind speeds can reach 40–50 m/s. Tornadoes have been observed in Dilijan, Vanadzor, and Yerevan, usually during the warm season within powerful cumulonimbus clouds, and they carry significant destructive potential.
Avalanches are common in the upper regions of the Bazum, Pambak, Vardenis, and Zangezur mountain ranges.
 ABOUT TOURUNION |
 MEMBERSHIP |
