Last updated: January 18, 2025
Takhar, Afghanistan experiences a unique climate characterized by a blend of Mediterranean (Csa) and semi-arid (BSk) conditions. The region endures a significant temperature range, with frigid January lows plummeting to -18°C (1°F) contrasted by scorching July highs soaring to 44°C (112°F). The annual average temperature rests around 16°C (61°F), highlighting the diverse thermal dynamics that define Takhar's distinct climatic profile. This interplay of extreme temperatures underlines the region's ecological diversity and the challenges faced by its inhabitants.
The temperature patterns in Takhar, Afghanistan, exhibit marked seasonal fluctuations, with cold winters giving way to hot summers. January and February are characterized by harsh cold, featuring minimum temperatures as low as -18°C (0°F) and gradually warming to averages of 2°C (37°F) and 5°C (42°F), respectively. As spring approaches, March and April see a significant rise, with average temperatures climbing to 11°C (52°F) and 16°C (61°F), while daily highs can reach 37°C (99°F) by the end of April. By May, the transition to summer is evident, bringing average temperatures of 21°C (71°F) and maximums touching 40°C (104°F). The peak summer months of June and July often see averages around 30°C (86°F) and maximums that soar to 44°C (112°F). Autumn gradually cools down, with average temperatures dipping to 22°C (73°F) in September and falling into the single digits by November. The cycle concludes with the chill of December returning the region to its winter conditions, highlighting the stark contrasts that define Takhar's climate throughout the year.
The climate in northeastern Afghanistan varies significantly across different towns. In Art Khwajah, temperatures can drop to a minimum of -13°C (9°F) in February and rise to a maximum of 43°C (110°F) in June, as detailed in the monthly temperatures in Art Khwajah. Taloqan experiences slightly milder temperatures, with a low of -12°C (10°F) in January and a high of 41°C (106°F) in June, as shown in the monthly temperatures in Taloqan. Farkhar, however, experiences the coldest winter, reaching lows of -18°C (-1°F) in January, yet is cooler in summer with a maximum of only 31°C (88°F) in August, as indicated in the monthly temperatures in Farkhar.
Precipitation in Takhar, Afghanistan, follows a distinct seasonal pattern, with the majority falling during the winter and spring months. January sees an average of 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain over 6 days, gradually increasing in February to 62 mm (2.4 in) across 10 days. March marks a significant uptick with 84 mm (3.3 in) of precipitation, peaking in April at 99 mm (3.9 in) spread over 12 days. The wet season typically concludes in May with 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain falling on 9 days, leaving the summer and early autumn months exceptionally dry.
From June to September, Takhar experiences a drastic reduction in precipitation, with June receiving just 9 mm (0.4 in) across 1 day and July and August reporting virtually no rainfall. This dry spell extends into September, maintaining a moisture deficit. As the weather transitions into autumn, October brings a modest 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain over 2 days. The trend continues into November with 52 mm (2.1 in) across 8 days, followed by December, which adds another 34 mm (1.3 in) over 7 days, further emphasizing the region's characteristic dry summers and wet winters.
In Takhar, Afghanistan, sunshine duration experiences a pronounced seasonal cycle, marked by a steady increase from winter to summer. Beginning in January with 210 hours of sunlight, the amount of sunshine gradually rises as the days grow longer, reaching 246 hours in February. By March, this upward trend accelerates, with sunshine extending to 306 hours, and continuing to expand throughout April to 335 hours. The month of May fully embraces the arrival of spring, boasting 385 hours of sunshine, while June sees an impressive total of 407 hours, setting the stage for a bright summer that peaks in July with 416 hours of sunshine—the highest monthly total of the year.
As summer transitions into autumn, Takhar continues to enjoy substantial sunshine, though hours begin to taper off—388 hours in August and 349 hours in September. The decline continues into October, where 326 hours of sunlight remains abundant compared to the winter months. In contrast, November and December witness a notable drop in sunlight, with 263 hours and 264 hours, respectively. This seasonal pattern not only highlights Takhar's sunshine-rich summers but also the stark contrast of shorter days during the colder months, emphasizing the region's diverse climatic conditions throughout the year.
The UV Index in Takhar, Afghanistan, showcases a significant shift throughout the year, reflecting the region's intense sunlight exposure, especially during the spring and summer months. Starting from January with a moderate UV Index of 5 and a burn time of 30 minutes, the intensity escalates rapidly in February to 7, classified as high. The arrival of spring sees an even sharper increase, reaching a very high UV Index of 10 in March, where skin can burn in as little as 15 minutes. By April and May, the index reaches extreme levels, peaking at 11 and 12, respectively, necessitating proactive sun protection during peak sunlight hours.
Throughout the summer, the UV Index remains at the extreme level of 12 in June and July, compelling individuals to minimize sun exposure, as burn time plummets to just 10 minutes. Although August retains a high index of 11, it begins a gradual decline in September with a very high index of 10. The fall months see a further reduction; by October, the UV Index drops to 7 and subsequently to 5 in November, returning to moderate levels, with burn times extending back to 30 minutes. December brings a slight relief with a UV Index of 4, continuing the trend of decreased sun intensity, making it crucial for residents and visitors to adjust their sun safety practices according to the monthly changes in UV levels.
UV Risk Categories
In Takhar, Afghanistan, daylight duration exhibits a clear seasonal pattern, with hours of sunlight increasing steadily from winter to summer. January begins the year with approximately 9 hours of daylight, gradually extending to 10 hours in February. As spring approaches, daylight continues to increase, reaching 11 hours in March and 13 hours in April. May marks a significant turning point, offering 14 hours of daylight—the peak duration. This extended sunlight persists through June and July, maintaining 14 hours, which supports outdoor activities and agricultural practices during the warmest months.
As summer gives way to autumn, daylight hours begin to wane, decreasing to 13 hours in August and further dropping to 12 hours in September. The decline continues into October, with daylight reducing to 11 hours, and by November, it reaches 10 hours once again. Finally, December echoes the shorter daylight of January, concluding the year with 9 hours of sunlight. This cyclical pattern underscores the relationship between seasonal shifts and daylight availability, highlighting the importance of adapting daily routines to the varying light conditions throughout the year.
The climate in Afaqi, Afghanistan, is characterized by significant temperature variation throughout the year. Winters are cold, with January temperatures ranging from -10°C to a maximum of 19°C, while summers can be very hot, particularly in June and July, reaching up to 43°C. Precipitation peaks in the spring months, especially in March and April, while summer sees little to no rainfall. The area enjoys ample sunshine, with the highest hours recorded in July and June. For more details, visit the Afaqi climate.
The climate in Art Khwajah, Afghanistan, features significant temperature variations throughout the year, with summer months reaching highs of up to 43°C (110°F) in June and July, while winter temperatures can drop to as low as -13°C (9°F) in February. Precipitation is concentrated in the early months, peaking at 68 mm (2.7 in) in April, before becoming virtually nonexistent during the summer. Sunshine hours are abundant, with the highest recorded in July at 415 hours, contributing to hot, dry summers. For more details, visit Art Khwajah climate.
Chah Ab, Afghanistan experiences a continental climate with significant temperature variations throughout the year. Winters are cold, with January averages around 4°C (40°F) and lows reaching as low as -14°C (7°F), while summers can be hot, with July averages climbing to 32°C (89°F). The region receives most of its precipitation from January to April, peaking at 85 mm (3.3 in) in April, and experiences dry conditions from June to September. Sunshine hours are abundant, particularly in the summer months, with July enjoying up to 416 hours of sunlight. For more detailed information, visit Chah Ab climate.
Darqad, Afghanistan experiences a continental climate characterized by cold winters and hot summers. January temperatures range from -11°C to 19°C, while July sees highs reaching up to 44°C. Precipitation is concentrated in the early months, with April receiving the most at 82 mm, while the summer months are notably dry, particularly in July and August. Sunshine is abundant, peaking in June with 408 hours, contributing to the region's warm summers. For more detailed information, visit Darqad climate.
Dasht-e Qal'ah, Afghanistan experiences a continental climate characterized by cold winters and hot summers. January temperatures range from a minimum of -11°C (12°F) to a maximum of 18°C (64°F), while July sees much warmer highs of up to 43°C (109°F). Precipitation is highest from March to April, with March receiving 79 mm (3.1 in) and April 86 mm (3.4 in), and virtually none during the peak summer months of July and August. The region enjoys abundant sunshine, peaking at 415 hours in July. For more detailed information, visit Dasht-e Qal'ah climate.
Farkhar, Afghanistan experiences a continental climate characterized by significant temperature variations throughout the year. Winters are harsh, with January temperatures ranging from -18°C to 10°C, while summers, particularly in July and August, are warm, with averages around 22°C to 20°C. Precipitation peaks in spring, especially in March and April, reaching up to 156 mm, while summer months see minimal rainfall. The region enjoys ample sunshine, with June recording the highest at 408 hours. For more details, visit Farkhar climate.
Kalafgan, Afghanistan experiences a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. January temperatures can drop as low as -16°C (4°F), while July sees highs around 34°C (94°F). Precipitation is heaviest in spring, particularly in April with 143 mm (5.6 in), and minimal during summer months of June to August. The region enjoys abundant sunshine, especially in the summer, reaching up to 420 hours in July. For more detailed climate information, visit Kalafgan climate.
Khanaqah, Afghanistan experiences a diverse climate, with cold winters and hot summers. January temperatures range from -12°C to 18°C, while July sees highs of up to 40°C. Precipitation is concentrated in the spring, peaking in April at 83 mm, with dry conditions prevailing in the summer months. The region enjoys abundant sunshine, particularly in the summer, reaching 417 hours in July. For more detailed information, visit Khanaqah climate.
Khwajah Ghar, Afghanistan experiences a continental climate with significant temperature variations throughout the year. Winters are cold, with January averaging around 5°C (41°F) and minimum temperatures dropping to -12°C (12°F). Summers, especially from June to August, are hot, with average highs exceeding 30°C (86°F) and peaking at 43°C (110°F). Precipitation is highest during the spring months, while summer is predominantly dry. For more details, visit Khwajah Ghar climate.
The climate in Rustaq, Afghanistan varies significantly throughout the year, with cold winters and hot summers. January temperatures range from a frigid -15°C (5°F) to a mild 16°C (61°F), while July peaks at a scorching 40°C (103°F). Precipitation is heaviest from March to May, with April receiving the most at 117 mm (4.6 in), but considerably drops in the summer months. Sunshine hours are abundant, peaking in July with 415 hours, providing a bright atmosphere despite the varying temperatures. For more detailed information, visit Rustaq climate.
Taloqan, Afghanistan experiences a continental climate with significant temperature variations throughout the year. Winters are cold, with January temperatures dropping as low as -12°C (10°F) and averaging 4°C (39°F), while summers can be quite hot, peaking in July with average temperatures around 30°C (87°F). Rainfall is predominantly seen in the spring months, with April recording the highest at 83 mm (3.3 in), whereas summer remains dry. The region enjoys considerable sunshine, particularly from June to August, averaging over 400 hours per month. For more details, visit Taloqan climate.
Taqchah Khanah, Afghanistan experiences a climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers. In January, temperatures can reach lows of -18°C (0°F) and highs of 10°C (49°F), with significant precipitation peaking in the spring months. April and May see warmer averages of 10°C (50°F) and 14°C (58°F) respectively, accompanied by higher rainfall, while summer months like July and August are drier and warmer, with temperatures averaging around 22°C (72°F). The region enjoys the most sunshine hours from June to July, providing bright skies during the warmer months. For more detailed climate information, visit Taqchah Khanah climate.
Yangi Qal'ah, Afghanistan, experiences a diverse climate with distinct seasonal variations. Winters are cold, with January temperatures ranging from -11°C to 19°C, while summer peaks in July and August see highs around 44°C. Precipitation is highest during the spring months, particularly in April, with a significant drop to almost none by mid-summer. Sunshine is abundant, especially in the summer, with July receiving over 416 hours. For more details, visit Yangi Qal'ah climate.
In conclusion, Takhar, Afghanistan, is characterized by a diverse climate that exhibits marked seasonal variations in temperature, precipitation, UV index, sunshine duration, and daylight hours. The region experiences cold winters and hot summers, with significant sunlight during peak months and extreme UV exposure in spring and summer, emphasizing the need for sun safety measures. Additionally, the varied precipitation patterns highlight a distinct wet season, fostering ecological diversity while presenting challenges for residents. Understanding these climatic elements is essential for effective planning in agriculture, health, and daily life, as they play a crucial role in shaping the livelihoods and well-being of Takhar's inhabitants throughout the year.