Climate Insights for Erbil

The climate in Erbil is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 22°C and approximately 447mm of precipitation falls per year. March is the wettest month, receiving around 80mm of rainfall. Erbil is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, August, June. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to 4°C.

Erbil has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 39°C from the coldest to warmest months. July is the hottest month, with daytime highs reaching 43°C and an average of 36°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 4°C and an average of 8°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 13°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between October and November, with a 9°C shift in average temperatures.

Erbil is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 447mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 37mm per month. The wettest month is March, averaging 80mm of rainfall. January and February also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is July, with just 0mm. That's 80mm less than March, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

Erbil is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 14km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is June, averaging 16km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in December, with average winds dropping to 11km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 5km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 12km/h in winter, 15km/h in spring, 16km/h in summer, 13km/h in autumn.

It is currently spring in Erbil, which began on March 20, 2026. Erbil is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in July at around 43°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 4°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 90 days from now.

The best time to visit Erbil is during April, October and November, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 20°C with modest rainfall averaging 42mm per month. By contrast, July can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 43°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to 4°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Erbil based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.