Last updated: January 18, 2025
The climate of Rif-Dimashq, Syrian Arab Republic, is characterized by a diverse range of Köppen-Geiger climate classes, namely Csb (Mediterranean with dry, warm summers), BWk (cold desert), Csa (Mediterranean with dry, hot summers), and BSk (semi-arid). This region experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, with a minimum of -15°C (5°F) recorded in January, yielding to an average temperature of 17°C (63°F). The summer peak hovers around a sweltering 44°C (111°F) in July, underscoring the climatic extremes that define this unique geographical area. Understanding these climate variations is crucial for addressing local agriculture, water resources, and biodiversity.
In Rif-Dimashq, Syrian Arab Republic, temperature patterns exhibit a distinct seasonal progression, transitioning from cold winter months to hot summers. January and February experience the coldest conditions, with temperatures dipping to a minimum of -15°C (5°F) and averaging around 6°C (43°F), heralding a gradual warming trend in March as averages rise to 10°C (51°F). By April, the climate shifts dramatically, showcasing a rise in temperatures that culminates in the hot summer months of June through August, where maximum temperatures consistently reach 44°C (111°F). As the year progresses into autumn, temperatures start to decline again—October marks an average of 20°C (68°F), and by December, the region cools once more, with minimum temperatures falling to -4°C (25°F). This seasonal cycle highlights the region's climate variability, underscoring both the harshness of winter and the intensity of summer heat.
Az Zabadani experiences a broad temperature range, with January lows reaching -15°C (5°F) and July highs soaring up to 37°C (99°F) as detailed in the monthly temperatures in Az Zabadani. In contrast, Malula sees slightly milder winter temperatures, with a minimum of -8°C (18°F) in February, while summer can get even hotter, peaking at 39°C (103°F) in July, as noted in the [monthly temperatures in Malula](/climate/syrian-arab-republic/rif-dimashq/ma-lula.html).
Precipitation in Rif-Dimashq, Syrian Arab Republic, exhibits a clear seasonal pattern, with the highest rainfall recorded during the winter months. January leads with 42 mm (1.7 in) over 6 days, followed closely by February at 38 mm (1.5 in) and March at 36 mm (1.4 in). As spring approaches, there is a noticeable decline in precipitation, dropping to 24 mm (0.9 in) in April, and further diminishing to a mere 11 mm (0.4 in) in May. This trend marks the transition toward the arid summer season, where precipitation sharply decreases to negligible amounts, reaching 0 mm in both July and August.
As the summer heat intensifies, the region faces very low precipitation levels, with August experiencing no recorded rainfall at all. Rain begins to return in October, bringing 11 mm (0.4 in) over just 1 day, before November sees a slight increase to 22 mm (0.9 in) across 4 days. December closes the year with 33 mm (1.3 in), again reflecting winter's wetter conditions over 6 days. Overall, the precipitation pattern in Rif-Dimashq highlights a clear distinction between a rainy winter and a dry summer, aligning with the Mediterranean climatic influences in the region.
In Rif-Dimashq, Syrian Arab Republic, sunshine duration varies significantly throughout the year, reflecting a distinct seasonal pattern. The year begins with relatively modest sunlight, with January providing 223 hours. As winter gives way to spring, a consistent upward trend emerges—February records 273 hours, followed by March with 333 hours, and April peaks at 354 hours. This steady increase in daylight hours is a precursor to the sun-drenched summer months, where sunshine reaches its zenith. May marks a vital transition with 398 hours, leading into June, July, and August, which collectively showcase the region’s highest sunshine totals, culminating in 415 hours in July.
The summer months highlight the region's abundant sunshine, a feature that significantly supports both agriculture and outdoor activities. However, as summer begins to wane, sunshine hours gradually diminish; August sees a subtle decline to 391 hours, followed by September's 349 hours. The autumn months—October, November, and December—experience further reductions, with hours falling to 321, 282, and 271 respectively. This seasonal ebb and flow of sunlight illustrates the impact of climatic conditions in Rif-Dimashq, where the transition from the sun-rich summer to the milder, shorter days of winter shapes both the environment and human activities in the region.
The UV Index in Rif-Dimashq, Syrian Arab Republic, exhibits significant seasonal variation, reflecting the region's climatic conditions and solar exposure throughout the year. Winter months show relatively moderate levels of UV radiation, with January recording an index of 5, indicating a moderate exposure category and a recommended burn time of 30 minutes. As February approaches, the UV Index rises to 6 and becomes classified as high, which signals the beginning of increased sun intensity. The transition to spring marks a sharp increase in UV levels, peaking in March with a UV Index of 9, classified as very high. This upward trajectory culminates in April, where an index of 10 places it firmly in the very high exposure category.
As summer unfolds, extreme UV Index readings become prevalent, reaching a peak of 13 in June and remaining close with 12 in both July and August. These months see shorter burn times of just 10 minutes, emphasizing the importance of sun protection during outdoor activities. As the year winds down, September and October witness a slight decrease in the Index, with values of 10 and 8, respectively, while November and December revert to moderate exposure levels, with indices of 5 and 4 and longer burn times. This comprehensive analysis highlights the importance of awareness and appropriate sun protection during the peak UV months, particularly in the harsh summer weeks.
UV Risk Categories
In Rif-Dimashq, Syrian Arab Republic, daylight duration exhibits a clear seasonal rhythm, beginning with approximately 10 hours of daylight in both January and February. This steady amount of sunlight transitions into spring, where March sees an increase to 11 hours. As the region moves into April and May, daylight continues to expand, consistently providing 13 hours of light each day, marking the arrival of longer days that support outdoor activities and agricultural practices.
The peak of daylight occurs during the summer months of June and July, where the region enjoys 14 hours of sunlight, fostering an environment that is conducive to various daylight-dependent activities. However, as summer gives way to autumn, daylight gradually begins to decrease; August ushers in a slight reduction to 13 hours, followed by September's 12 hours. By October, daylight drops to 11 hours, continuing the decline into winter, where November sees 10 hours and December further narrows down to 9 hours. This annual cycle highlights the shifting patterns of daylight, significantly influencing agricultural cycles and lifestyle choices throughout the year.
Az Zabadani, located in the Syrian Arab Republic, experiences a varied climate with cold winters and warm summers. January temperatures can drop to -15°C (5°F), while July peaks at a maximum of 37°C (99°F). Precipitation is highest in the winter months, with January receiving 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, tapering off to almost none by mid-summer. Sunshine is abundant, especially in July with 415 hours, providing a bright summer atmosphere. For detailed climatic data, visit Az Zabadani climate.
Malula experiences a diverse climate characterized by cold winters and hot summers. January temperatures can drop as low as -7°C (19°F), while July can soar to a high of 39°C (102°F). Rainfall is most frequent from January to April, with peak precipitation in January at 32 mm (1.3 in), but very little rain falls during the summer months. The region enjoys ample sunshine with July typically receiving around 415 hours of sun. For more details, visit [Malula climate](/climate/syrian-arab-republic/rif-dimashq/ma-lula.html).
In conclusion, the climate and environmental conditions of Rif-Dimashq, Syrian Arab Republic, present a fascinating interplay of temperature, precipitation, sunshine duration, UV Index, and daylight hours throughout the year. The region's distinct seasonal changes—from cold, wet winters to sweltering, dry summers—substantially impact local agriculture, human activities, and overall quality of life. With an evident rise in temperatures and sunlight during the summer months, coupled with high UV indices, there is an increased need for awareness and protective measures against sun exposure. Simultaneously, the gradual decrease in daylight hours during the winter months brings about challenges associated with shorter days. Understanding these climatic patterns is essential for effective planning and adaptation strategies that can enhance resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.