Last updated: January 18, 2025
The climate of Shaki, Azerbaijan, is classified under the Köppen-Geiger system as Dfb, characterized by a temperate continental climate. This region experiences a significant temperature range, with winter lows plunging to a minimum of -16°C (4°F) in February, while summer peaks can soar to an impressive 37°C (98°F) in July. The average annual temperature hovers around 12°C (53°F), reflecting the distinct seasonal variations typical of this climate zone. This combination of cold winters and warm summers creates a dynamic environment conducive to a variety of ecological and agricultural practices.
Shaki, Azerbaijan experiences distinct temperature patterns throughout the year, characterized by cold winters and warm summers. January starts off with minimum temperatures around -12°C (11°F), gradually moderating to -16°C (4°F) in February, marking the coldest point of the year. As the seasons transition into spring, temperatures begin to rise, with March seeing an average of 5°C (41°F) and reaching 10°C (51°F) by April. The warmth intensifies through May and into the summer months, peaking in July, when maximum values soar to 37°C (98°F). August maintains warm conditions, followed by a gradual cooling in September as temperatures decrease to an average of 19°C (66°F). The onset of autumn brings a further decline, with November dipping back into low averages of 6°C (43°F), before winter returns in December with temperatures averaging 2°C (36°F). Overall, Shaki's climate uniquely reflects the contrasts between chilly winters and hot summers, creating a dynamic seasonal experience.
Bas Goynuk experiences a significant temperature range throughout the year, with a minimum of -16°C (4°F) in February and a maximum of 37°C (98°F) in July. This climate variation highlights the extreme seasonal differences that can be encountered in the region, as detailed further in the provided link: monthly temperatures in Bas Goynuk.
In Shaki, Azerbaijan, precipitation follows a seasonal pattern, with the wettest months occurring in spring. March and April see significant rainfall, measuring 68 mm (2.7 in) and 72 mm (2.8 in), respectively, alongside an increase in rainy days, peaking at 11 days in March. As the spring progresses into May, the precipitation reaches its peak at 82 mm (3.2 in) over approximately 12 days. This pattern suggests that the region experiences a pronounced wet season during this time, which is crucial for supporting local agriculture and vegetation.
Contrastingly, the winter months exhibit much lower precipitation levels, beginning with 20 mm (0.8 in) in January and increasing slightly to 34 mm (1.4 in) in February. The summer months of June and July bring moderate rainfall, totaling 38 mm (1.5 in) and 47 mm (1.9 in), with fewer rainy days, affordably balanced by warmer temperatures. Overall, August sees a drop in precipitation to 33 mm (1.3 in), followed by a slight rise in the fall months. This seasonal cycle highlights the region's diverse climate, emphasizing the importance of seasonal rainfall for its ecosystem.
Shaki, Azerbaijan, reveals a distinctive seasonal trend in sunshine duration, showcasing a gradual increase from the winter months to the peak of summer. In January, Shaki experiences about 210 hours of sunshine, which gradually ascends to 263 hours in February. By March, the daylight hours expand significantly to 318 hours, culminating in spring with April reaching 337 hours. As the city transitions into the warmer months, May follows suit, amping up the sunshine hours to 394 hours, paving the way for a vibrant summer.
The sunniest months in Shaki are June and July, with impressive totals of 404 hours and 413 hours, respectively, making these peak times for solar exposure. While August still enjoys a healthy 393 hours, the duration begins to decline, settling into 333 hours in September. As autumn sets in, October brings 305 hours, and the trend continues downwards, with November and December registering 254 hours and 249 hours respectively. This pattern highlights the stark contrast between the longer, sunlit days of summer and the shorter, dimmer days of winter, illustrating a clear relationship between seasonal transitions and sunshine availability in this region.
The UV Index in Shaki, Azerbaijan exhibits notable seasonal variation, reflecting a clear increase in sun exposure as the year progresses. During the winter months, the index remains relatively low; January starts at a UV Index of 3, categorized as moderate, with an estimated burn time of 30 minutes. February sees a slight uptick to 4, still within the moderate range, but as spring arrives in March, the index escalates to 6, indicating high exposure risk and a reduced burn time of 25 minutes. This trend continues into the following months, as April and May present very high UV levels of 8 and 9, respectively, shortening the safe exposure time to 15 minutes.
The summer months of June and July reach the pinnacle of UV intensity, with a maximum index of 10, requiring vigilance due to extreme exposure risks, again with a burn time of only 15 minutes. The UV Index remains high through August and September, slowly tapering to 8 in September before returning to a high-of 6 in October. As the year draws to a close, November and December see a decline, with indices of 3 and 2, categorized as moderate and low, respectively, and extending burn times to 30 minutes and 45 minutes. This annual cycle underscores the importance of sun protection during the peak UV months while allowing for safer exposure during the winter.
UV Risk Categories
Daylight duration in Shaki, Azerbaijan reveals a significant variation throughout the year, characterized by a gradual increase from winter to summer, followed by an equally steady decline into winter. In January, the daylight lasts approximately 9 hours, which remains consistent through November, reflecting the shorter days typical of this season. As February arrives, the duration extends to 10 hours, and by March, daylight increases to 11 hours, hinting at the approaching spring and brighter days ahead.
The most striking increase occurs from April to June, with daylight peaking at 15 hours in June, providing ample opportunity for outdoor activities and natural light. The months of July and August see a slight decrease, with daylight durations of 14 hours and 13 hours, before tapering down to 12 hours in September. As autumn sets in, the trend continues to decline, bringing daylight back down to 11 hours in October, and returning to 9 hours by December. This cyclical pattern emphasizes Shaki's transition from winter to summer and back, illustrating the dynamic nature of daylight in this region.
The climate in Bas Goynuk, Azerbaijan, features a significant temperature range throughout the year, with January experiencing a minimum of -12°C (11°F) and July a maximum of 37°C (98°F). Precipitation is highest in spring, peaking at 82 mm (3.2 in) in May, while summer months are relatively drier. Sunshine hours are abundant, especially in summer, with July boasting 413 hours of sunlight. This combination of warm temperatures and ample sunshine makes Bas Goynuk a unique climate. For more details, visit Bas Goynuk climate.
In conclusion, Shaki, Azerbaijan, exhibits a dynamic climate characterized by distinct seasonal variations in temperature, precipitation, UV Index, sunshine duration, and daylight. The region experiences cold winters that give way to warm summers, with notable peaks in both temperature and sunshine during the summer months. Conversely, the winter months are marked by lower temperatures and shorter daylight hours. The UV Index fluctuates significantly throughout the year, highlighting the importance of sun safety, especially during the summer when UV exposure is at its highest. Overall, understanding these climatic patterns is essential for residents and visitors alike, as it informs agricultural practices, outdoor activities, and health precautions, thus enhancing the overall experience of this beautiful Azerbaijani region.