Climate Insights for Istanbul

Fatih, Turkey

Hottest
August
28°C peak82°F peak
Coldest
January
6°C low42°F low
Wettest
January
106 mm rain4.2 in rain
Best to Visit
May, June, July
Mild temps & low rain

Climate Overview

The climate in Istanbul is temperate. The average annual temperature is 16°C and approximately 705 mm of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 106 mm of rainfall. Istanbul is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, July, June. The coldest months are January, February, March, when temperatures can drop to 6°C. Light snow can occur between January and December.The climate in Istanbul is temperate. The average annual temperature is 60°F and approximately 27.7 in of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 4.2 in of rainfall. Istanbul is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, July, June. The coldest months are January, February, March, when temperatures can drop to 42°F. Light snow can occur between January and December.

Temperature

0°5°10°15°20°25°30°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanMax: 9°Average: 7°Min: 6°FebMax: 10°Average: 8°Min: 6°MarMax: 11°Average: 9°Min: 7°AprMax: 15°Average: 12°Min: 10°MayMax: 20°Average: 17°Min: 14°JunMax: 25°Average: 22°Min: 19°JulMax: 28°Average: 25°Min: 22°AugMax: 28°Average: 25°Min: 22°SepMax: 24°Average: 22°Min: 19°OctMax: 20°Average: 17°Min: 15°NovMax: 16°Average: 14°Min: 12°DecMax: 11°Average: 10°Min: 8°
Max
Average
Min
0°F10°F20°F30°F40°F50°F60°F70°F80°F90°FJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanMax: 48°FAverage: 45°FMin: 42°FFebMax: 49°FAverage: 46°FMin: 42°FMarMax: 53°FAverage: 48°FMin: 44°FAprMax: 59°FAverage: 54°FMin: 49°FMayMax: 67°FAverage: 62°FMin: 57°FJunMax: 77°FAverage: 72°FMin: 67°FJulMax: 82°FAverage: 76°FMin: 71°FAugMax: 82°FAverage: 77°FMin: 72°FSepMax: 76°FAverage: 71°FMin: 67°FOctMax: 67°FAverage: 63°FMin: 59°FNovMax: 60°FAverage: 57°FMin: 53°FDecMax: 52°FAverage: 50°FMin: 47°F
Max
Average
Min

Temperatures in Istanbul vary considerably across the year, with a 22°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is August, when average highs reach 28°C and the mean temperature sits around 25°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 6°C and an average of 7°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 5°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between May and June, with a 5°C shift in average temperatures.Temperatures in Istanbul vary considerably across the year, with a 40°F difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is August, when average highs reach 82°F and the mean temperature sits around 77°F. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 42°F and an average of 45°F. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 8°F between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between May and June, with a 10°F shift in average temperatures.

Precipitation

0mm25mm50mm75mm100mm125mm150mmJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanPrecipitation: 106mmSnow: 17mmFebPrecipitation: 76mmSnow: 10mmMarPrecipitation: 70mmSnow: 3mmAprPrecipitation: 54mmSnow: 0mmMayPrecipitation: 41mmSnow: 0mmJunPrecipitation: 27mmSnow: 0mmJulPrecipitation: 34mmSnow: 0mmAugPrecipitation: 16mmSnow: 0mmSepPrecipitation: 42mmSnow: 0mmOctPrecipitation: 54mmSnow: 0mmNovPrecipitation: 85mmSnow: 0mmDecPrecipitation: 99mmSnow: 2mm
Precipitation
Snow
0in2in4in6inJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanPrecipitation: 4.2inSnow (in): 7inFebPrecipitation: 3inSnow (in): 4inMarPrecipitation: 2.8inSnow (in): 1inAprPrecipitation: 2.1inSnow (in): 0inMayPrecipitation: 1.6inSnow (in): 0inJunPrecipitation: 1.1inSnow (in): 0inJulPrecipitation: 1.3inSnow (in): 0inAugPrecipitation: 0.6inSnow (in): 0inSepPrecipitation: 1.7inSnow (in): 0inOctPrecipitation: 2.1inSnow (in): 0inNovPrecipitation: 3.3inSnow (in): 0inDecPrecipitation: 3.9inSnow (in): 1in
Precipitation
Snow (in)

Istanbul is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 705 mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 59 mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 106 mm of rainfall. December and November also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 16 mm. That's 89 mm less than January, 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. Light snowfall can occur between January and December, totalling around 31cm annually. January is the snowiest month with approximately 17cm.Istanbul is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 27.7 in of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 2.3 in per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 4.2 in of rainfall. December and November also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 0.6 in. That's 3.5 in less than January, 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. Light snowfall can occur between January and December, totalling around 12in annually. January is the snowiest month with approximately 7in.

Wind

0km/h5km/h10km/h15km/h20km/hJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanWind Speed: 17km/hFebWind Speed: 17km/hMarWind Speed: 15km/hAprWind Speed: 14km/hMayWind Speed: 13km/hJunWind Speed: 13km/hJulWind Speed: 16km/hAugWind Speed: 18km/hSepWind Speed: 16km/hOctWind Speed: 15km/hNovWind Speed: 16km/hDecWind Speed: 17km/h
Wind Speed
0mph5mph10mph15mphJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanWind Speed: 11mphFebWind Speed: 11mphMarWind Speed: 10mphAprWind Speed: 9mphMayWind Speed: 8mphJunWind Speed: 8mphJulWind Speed: 10mphAugWind Speed: 11mphSepWind Speed: 10mphOctWind Speed: 9mphNovWind Speed: 10mphDecWind Speed: 10mph
Wind Speed

Istanbul is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 16km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is August, averaging 18km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in May, with average winds dropping to 13km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 5km/h between the calmest and windiest months.Istanbul is moderately windy, with an average annual wind speed of 10mph. For context, sustained winds below 7mph are generally light, while anything above 16mph is considered strong. The windiest month is August, averaging 11mph, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in May, with average winds dropping to 8mph, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 3mph between the calmest and windiest months.

Best Time to Visit

Jan7°45°F
Feb8°46°F
Mar9°48°F
Apr12°54°F
May17°62°F
Jun22°72°F
Jul25°76°F
Aug25°77°F
Sep22°71°F
Oct17°63°F
Nov14°57°F
Dec10°50°F

The best time to visit Istanbul is during May, June, July, August, September and October, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 21°C with modest rainfall averaging 36 mm per month. By contrast, January can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 6°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.The best time to visit Istanbul is during May, June, July, August, September and October, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 70°F with modest rainfall averaging 1.4 in per month. By contrast, January can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 42°F. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

Monthly Climate Data

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Istanbul 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. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. 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.The table below shows monthly climate averages for Istanbul based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in inches (in) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in miles per hour (mph). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.

Month
Min Temperature
Max Temperature
Wind Speed
Precipitation
Snow
Jan
6 °C42 °F
9 °C48 °F
17 km/h11 mph
106 mm4.2 in
17 cm7 in
Feb
6 °C42 °F
10 °C49 °F
17 km/h11 mph
76 mm3 in
10 cm4 in
Mar
7 °C44 °F
11 °C53 °F
15 km/h10 mph
70 mm2.8 in
3 cm1 in
Apr
10 °C49 °F
15 °C59 °F
14 km/h9 mph
54 mm2.1 in
0 cm0 in
May
14 °C57 °F
20 °C67 °F
13 km/h8 mph
41 mm1.6 in
0 cm0 in
Jun
19 °C67 °F
25 °C77 °F
13 km/h8 mph
27 mm1.1 in
0 cm0 in
Jul
22 °C71 °F
28 °C82 °F
16 km/h10 mph
34 mm1.3 in
0 cm0 in
Aug
22 °C72 °F
28 °C82 °F
18 km/h11 mph
16 mm0.6 in
0 cm0 in
Sep
19 °C67 °F
24 °C76 °F
16 km/h10 mph
42 mm1.7 in
0 cm0 in
OctCurrent
15 °C59 °F
20 °C67 °F
15 km/h9 mph
54 mm2.1 in
0 cm0 in
Nov
12 °C53 °F
16 °C60 °F
16 km/h10 mph
85 mm3.3 in
0 cm0 in
Dec
8 °C47 °F
11 °C52 °F
17 km/h10 mph
99 mm3.9 in
2 cm1 in