Last updated: January 18, 2025
Balkh, Afghanistan, classified under the Koppen-Geiger climate classification as BSk, exhibits a distinct semi-arid climate characterized by significant temperature variations. With a December minimum plummeting to -17°C (1°F), the region experiences harsh winter conditions, while the summer months bring extreme high temperatures, peaking at an impressive 45°C (114°F) in August. The average temperature throughout the year hovers around 17°C (63°F), reflecting a diverse climatic profile that influences the region's ecosystem and agricultural practices.
In Balkh, Afghanistan, temperature patterns exhibit a pronounced seasonal variation, transitioning from the frigid winters to the sweltering summers. January and February remain the coldest months, with minimum temperatures dipping as low as -17°C (1°F) in December and gradually rising to about -13°C (8°F) in February. By March, temperatures begin to climb, and in April, milder conditions emerge, peaking with maximums reaching 39°C (103°F). The warm months of May through August see soaring temperatures, often hitting around 45°C (113°F) or more, creating a stark contrast to the early year’s chill. As September ushers in a gradual cooling trend, temperatures drop significantly again in October and November, with minimums reaching down to -12°C (11°F), signaling the onset of winter once more. This cyclical pattern underscores Balkh's semi-arid climate, characterized by extreme temperature fluctuations between seasons.
Balkh and Mazar-e Sharif experience similar temperature ranges, with minimums plunging to -9°C (16°F) in January and soaring to a maximum of 42°C (108°F) in July. For more detailed monthly temperature information, you can visit monthly temperatures in Balkh and monthly temperatures in Mazar-e Sharif.
Balkh, Afghanistan, experiences a pronounced precipitation pattern, with the majority of rainfall concentrated in the winter and early spring months. January marks the beginning of this wet period, receiving 33 mm (1.3 in) over approximately 6 days, while February sees a slight increase to 45 mm (1.8 in) across 7 days. This trend continues into March and April, where precipitation peaks at 49 mm (1.9 in) and 52 mm (2.1 in), respectively, indicating a transition to spring. However, rainfall significantly diminishes in May to 22 mm (0.9 in), setting the stage for the subsequent dry summer months.
As summer settles in, Balkh faces an extended dry spell, particularly from June through September when rainfall virtually ceases, with July and August recording 0 mm (0.0 in). This stark absence of precipitation during the peak summer months creates arid conditions, sharply contrasting with the earlier wet season. The precipitation begins to reemerge in October, albeit minimally at 5 mm (0.2 in), and rises again in November to 31 mm (1.2 in). December, while cooler, concludes the year with 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, contributing to a cyclical pattern characterized by wet winters and dry summers that defines the climate of Balkh.
Balkh, Afghanistan, showcases a remarkable seasonal variation in sunshine duration, reflecting the region’s climatic transitions throughout the year. The winter months of January and February see a modest amount of sunlight, averaging 213 hours and 253 hours, respectively. However, as spring approaches, sunshine hours steadily increase, culminating in April with 336 hours. May marks a significant turning point, where sunshine duration escalates to 392 hours, signaling the arrival of warmer weather and longer days. This trend continues into summer, with June and July basking in the most sunlight at 408 hours and 413 hours, respectively, providing ideal conditions for agriculture and outdoor activities.
As summer transitions into autumn, sunshine hours begin to gradually decrease. Despite a decline, August remains sunny with 387 hours still recorded, demonstrating the lingering warmth of summer. The trend continues into September and October, where hours of sunshine settle at 349 and 322 hours, respectively. By November and December, daylight hours drop to 267 and 265 hours, revealing the seasonal shift towards winter. This cyclical pattern not only highlights the peak sunshine months but also reflects the overall climatic rhythm of Balkh — a region characterized by abundant sunshine during the warmer months and a retreating sun as winter approaches.
The UV Index in Balkh, Afghanistan, reveals significant variations throughout the year, highlighting the region's intense sun exposure during warmer months. Beginning in January with a moderate UV Index of 5, the risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure starts to increase, but it remains manageable with a burn time of about 30 minutes. As February approaches, conditions intensify with a high UV Index of 6, reducing the safe exposure time to 25 minutes. The real shift occurs in March when the UV Index escalates to 9, categorized as very high, necessitating caution with a burn time of only 15 minutes. April continues this trend, reaching a staggering 10, further emphasizing the need for protective measures.
Summer months in Balkh present the most severe UV exposure, with the Index peaking at 12 in May through July, categorized as extreme. During this period, individuals are advised to limit sun exposure to just 10 minutes to avoid burns, highlighting the critical nature of sun protection. August experiences a slight drop to 11, yet remains in the extreme category, while September sees a reduction to 10 under very high conditions. By October, the UV Index decreases to 7, classified as high, allowing for longer sun exposure of 25 minutes, before returning to moderate levels of 5 in November and 4 in December, where safe burn times increase again to 30 minutes. This analysis underscores the importance of being aware of UV levels to minimize health risks throughout the different seasons in Balkh.
UV Risk Categories
In Balkh, Afghanistan, daylight duration exhibits a clear seasonal pattern, with significant variations throughout the year. Starting in January, the days are relatively short, featuring just 9 hours of daylight. As the calendar transitions to February, daylight gradually increases to 10 hours, marking the beginning of a steady rise. This increase continues into March, where daylight reaches 11 hours and further extends into April, offering 13 hours of sunlight. May heralds the onset of longer days, peaking at 14 hours through June and July, providing ample opportunity for outdoor activities and agricultural pursuits during the warmer months.
As summer wanes, daylight hours begin to recede, dropping to 13 hours in August and further diminishing to 12 hours in September. This trend continues into October with 11 hours of daylight, signaling the approach of winter. By November and December, daylight dwindles once again to 10 and 9 hours, respectively, echoing the shorter days observed at the year’s beginning. This cyclical pattern of daylight hours in Balkh illustrates the region's changing seasons, influencing various aspects of daily life, from agriculture to recreation.
Balkh, Afghanistan experiences a continental climate with significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year. Winter temperatures can drop as low as -9°C (16°F) in January, while summer can soar, peaking at 42°C (108°F) in June, July, and August. Precipitation is concentrated mainly in the winter months, reaching a maximum of 40 mm (1.6 in) in February, while summer remains extremely dry, seeing no recorded rainfall from July to September. The region enjoys abundant sunshine, especially during the summer, with over 400 hours of sun in both June and July. For more detailed information, visit Balkh climate.
Mazar-e Sharif experiences a continental climate characterized by hot summers and cold winters. January sees temperatures ranging from -9°C to 20°C, while July can reach up to 42°C, with average highs around 32°C. Precipitation is minimal in summer months, peaking in February with 40 mm, and nearly absent from June to September. Sunshine hours are abundant, particularly from May to July, when daily sunlight can exceed 400 hours. For more detailed information, visit Mazar-e Sharif climate.
In summary, Balkh, Afghanistan, presents a distinct and dynamic climate characterized by its temperature fluctuations, precipitation patterns, sunshine duration, UV Index, and daylight hours throughout the year. The region experiences harsh winters with freezing temperatures and significant cold, contrasted by scorching summers with peak sunlight and extreme UV exposure. The seasonal transitions contribute to a unique environment where agricultural opportunities thrive during the sun-drenched months, yet caution is necessary during periods of intense UV radiation. Understanding these climatic variables is essential for residents and visitors alike, as they navigate daily life, outdoor activities, and health measures in response to Balkh’s changing weather patterns.