Climate Insights for Erbil

The climate in Erbil is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 20°C and approximately 828mm of precipitation falls per year. March is the wettest month, receiving around 169mm of rainfall. Erbil is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, July, September. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to 2°C. Light snow can occur between January and December.

Erbil has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 38°C from the coldest to warmest months. August is the hottest month, with daytime highs reaching 40°C and an average of 33°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 2°C and an average of 6°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 moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 828mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 69mm per month. The wettest month is March, averaging 169mm of rainfall. January and December also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 0mm. That's 168mm 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. Light snowfall can occur between January and December, totalling around 15cm annually. February is the snowiest month with approximately 7cm.

Erbil is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 2km/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 2km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in February, with average winds dropping to 2km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 0km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

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 August at around 40°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 2°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 4 days from now.

The best time to visit Erbil is during May and October, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 23°C with modest rainfall averaging 36mm per month. By contrast, August can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 40°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to 2°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. 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.