Weather in Turkey by Month
Page update - Apr 1, 2023
This page tells about the weather in the Turkish resort regions. What's the difference between the Aegean and Mediterranean resorts in Turkey? What months are the beach season there? What are the water and air temperatures during this time? When is the weather better, when is it worse? Are there storms and snow in Turkey? Read the answers.
Top question from tourists ahead of the 2023 summer season
We all remember the horrific earthquake of 6 February 2023. Now many tourists are afraid of Turkey and ask, "Is there any chance of earthquakes in Turkish resorts?"
The answer is. Of course there is a possibility. The whole area of Turkey is always under the threat of earthquakes. According to statistics for the year 2000-2023 (not including February 6, 2023, earthquake), 1,100 people died from earthquakes (there were 17) of varying magnitude in Turkey. And 2 of them were in Aegean resorts.
Draw conclusions from these statistics. In our opinion, there is clearly no need to be afraid.
The weather in Turkey's resorts is nearly the same
The Aegean resorts and Mediterranean resorts of Turkey are by far the most popular destinations, and this is where we will concentrate our attention.
The weather statistics for these regions are about the same, the difference being within statistical margins of error. So there is no point in talking about weather statistics and beach season in individual resorts.
We give the statistics for five resort regions: Antalya, Alanya, Marmaris, Fethiye, and Bodrum. As this review goes on, you will be able to see that there is almost no difference in the weather.
However, the weather differs in some aspects. First of all, the humidity is higher in the Mediterranean Sea coast and lower in the Aegean Sea coast in summer. This will be discussed in more detail below. The precipitation in winter also differs a lot from one resort to another. However, this is not a main issue for tourists, but for those who would like to move to Turkey for permanent residence. We will also discuss precipitation in more detail below.
Water temperature and beach season
In the resorts of Turkey in May, the water is already warming up to an acceptable bathing temperature. Of course, 20°C (68°F) may still feel cold to some. However, the saying goes, "To each his own".
See the water temperature statistics below °C (°F):
| Antalya | Alanya | Marmaris | Fethiye | Bodrum | |
| Jan | 18 (64.4) | 17 (62.6) | 17 (62.6) | 17 (62.6) | 18 (64.4) |
| Feb | 17 (62.6) | 16 (60.8) | 16 (60.8) | 15 (59) | 17 (62.6) |
| Mar | 17 (62.6) | 17 (62.6) | 16 (60.8) | 16 (60.8) | 17 (62.6) |
| Apr | 18 (64.4) | 18 (64.4) | 17 (62.6) | 17 (62.6) | 17 (62.6) |
| May | 21 (69.8) | 20 (68) | 20 (68) | 20 (68) | 19 (66.2) |
| Jun | 25 (77) | 24 (75.2) | 23 (73.4) | 23 (73.4) | 22 (71.6) |
| Jul | 28 (82.4) | 27 (80.6) | 25 (77) | 26 (78.8) | 24 (75.2) |
| Aug | 29 (84.2) | 28 (82.4) | 26 (78.8) | 27 (80.6) | 25 (77) |
| Sep | 27 (80.6) | 27 (80.6) | 25 (77) | 24 (75.2) | 24 (75.2) |
| Oct | 25 (77) | 24 (75.2) | 23 (73.4) | 23 (73.4) | 22 (71.6) |
| Nov | 21 (69.8) | 21 (69.8) | 21 (69.8) | 21 (69.8) | 20 (68) |
| Dec | 19 (66.2) | 19 (66.2) | 18 (64.4) | 18 (64.4) | 18 (64.4) |
The season ends at the end of October, but not because of the cold sea. Rather because of the cold air and short daylight hours.
Air temperature
Average upper daytime temperature peak °C (°F):
| Antalya | Alanya | Marmaris | Fethiye | Bodrum | |
| Jan | 15 (59) | 15 (59) | 15 (59) | 13 (55.4) | 15 (59) |
| Feb | 15 (59) | 16 (60.8) | 15 (59) | 13 (55.4) | 15 (59) |
| Mar | 18 (64.4) | 17 (62.6) | 18 (64.4) | 16 (60.8) | 17 (62.6) |
| Apr | 21 (69.8) | 20 (68) | 21 (69.8) | 20 (68) | 21 (69.8) |
| May | 26 (78.8) | 24 (75.2) | 26 (78.8) | 24 (75.2) | 26 (78.8) |
| Jun | 31 (87.8) | 27 (80.6) | 31 (87.8) | 29 (84.2) | 30 (86) |
| Jul | 34 (93.2) | 30 (86) | 35 (95) | 33 (91.4) | 34 (93.2) |
| Aug | 33 (91.4) | 31 (87.8) | 34 (93.2) | 33 (91.4) | 33 (91.4) |
| Sep | 31 (87.8) | 29 (84.2) | 31 (87.8) | 30 (86) | 31 (87.8) |
| Oct | 26 (78.8) | 25 (77) | 26 (78.8) | 24 (75.2) | 25 (77) |
| Nov | 20 (68) | 21 (69.8) | 20 (68) | 18 (64.4) | 19 (66.2) |
| Dec | 16 (60.8) | 17 (62.6) | 16 (60.8) | 14 (57.2) | 16 (60.8) |
Average lower temperature peak at night °C (°F):
| Antalya | Alanya | Marmaris | Fethiye | Bodrum | |
| Jan | 5 (41) | 7 (44.6) | 5 (41) | 8 (46.4) | 8 (46.4) |
| Feb | 6 (42.8) | 7 (44.6) | 5 (41) | 8 (46.4) | 8 (46.4) |
| Mar | 7 (44.6) | 9 (48.2) | 7 (44.6) | 9 (48.2) | 9 (48.2) |
| Apr | 10 (50) | 11 (51.8) | 10 (50) | 12 (53.6) | 13 (55.4) |
| May | 14 (57.2) | 15 (59) | 13 (55.4) | 16 (60.8) | 17 (62.6) |
| Jun | 18 (64.4) | 18 (64.4) | 18 (64.4) | 20 (68) | 20 (68) |
| Jul | 21 (69.8) | 21 (69.8) | 21 (69.8) | 24 (75.2) | 23 (73.4) |
| Aug | 21 (69.8) | 21 (69.8) | 20 (68) | 24 (75.2) | 22 (71.6) |
| Sep | 18 (64.4) | 19 (66.2) | 17 (62.6) | 20 (68) | 20 (68) |
| Oct | 14 (57.2) | 15 (59) | 13 (55.4) | 16 (60.8) | 16 (60.8) |
| Nov | 9 (48.2) | 12 (53.6) | 9 (48.2) | 12 (53.6) | 12 (53.6) |
| Dec | 7 (44.6) | 9 (48.2) | 7 (44.6) | 9 (48.2) | 9 (48.2) |
Please note that even during the summer months the temperature can drop to +14-15°C (57-59°F) at night. We recommend bringing a light jumper for evening and night walks and entertainment.
Can the rain spoil your vacation?
Not likely. It hardly ever rains in summer. The statistics are below, millimeters (inches) of rainfall:
| Antalya | Alanya | Marmaris | Fethiye | Bodrum | |
| Jan | 180 (7.1) | 227 (8.9) | 231 (9.1) | 114 (4.5) | 73 (2.9) |
| Feb | 130 (5.1) | 172 (6.8) | 170 (6.7) | 107 (4.2) | 70 (2.8) |
| Mar | 80 (3.1) | 106 (4.2) | 121 (4.8) | 77 (3) | 64 (2.5) |
| Apr | 80 (3.1) | 64 (2.5) | 61 (2.4) | 40 (1.6) | 30 (1.2) |
| May | 20 (0.8) | 36 (1.4) | 28 (1.1) | 29 (1.1) | 12 (0.5) |
| Jun | 10 (0.4) | 8 (0.3) | 15 (0.6) | 12 (0.5) | 14 (0.6) |
| Jul | 10 (0.4) | 3 (0.1) | 23 (0.9) | 10 (0.4) | 10 (0.4) |
| Aug | 10 (0.4) | 5 (0.2) | 8 (0.3) | 9 (0.4) | 10 (0.4) |
| Sep | 10 (0.4) | 10 (0.4) | 25 (1) | 3 (0.1) | 10 (0.4) |
| Oct | 90 (3.5) | 80 (3.2) | 81 (3.2) | 47 (1.9) | 30 (1.2) |
| Nov | 180 (7.1) | 171 (6.7) | 180 (7.1) | 118 (4.6) | 79 (3.1) |
| Dec | 210 (8.3) | 224 (8.8) | 290 (11.4) | 124 (4.9) | 108 (4.2) |
However, it can get very rainy in winter. This is especially true for the Mediterranean coast. Not surprisingly, Europeans prefer the Aegean coast, especially Bodrum, Didim, Kusadasi, and Fethiye, for residential property and permanent residence. The resort of Marmaris is considered to be the rainiest.
Do winds spoil your holiday?
Not really. The winds blow at a speed of 3-4 meters per second (6-8 knots) along the Turkish coast during the summer. A wind like this is refreshing in the heat. The pleasant winds are rather a big advantage of the Turkish resorts.
Humidity and the feeling of temperature
Humidity varies greatly between the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts during the summer months. The statistics below (percentages of relative humidity):
| Antalya | Alanya | Marmaris | Fethiye | Bodrum | |
| Jan | 80 | 56 | 70 | 71 | 73 |
| Feb | 82 | 57 | 70 | 71 | 69 |
| Mar | 81 | 62 | 68 | 69 | 70 |
| Apr | 78 | 64 | 66 | 66 | 67 |
| May | 72 | 67 | 65 | 64 | 61 |
| Jun | 65 | 66 | 56 | 56 | 52 |
| Jul | 66 | 65 | 57 | 57 | 45 |
| Aug | 71 | 65 | 59 | 59 | 48 |
| Sep | 77 | 57 | 61 | 61 | 52 |
| Oct | 78 | 54 | 68 | 68 | 62 |
| Nov | 80 | 59 | 72 | 71 | 71 |
| Dec | 80 | 60 | 71 | 71 | 74 |
In June, July, August, the relative humidity on the Mediterranean coast is very high, at 65% and above, especially in Antalya, Kemer, Belek. With such high humidity, the heat is harder to endure. Some tourists say the resort is turning into one big sauna. Some even like it, some do not.
On the Aegean coast, the relative humidity in the summer months does not exceed 60%. The heat is much easier to endure there.
We cannot give any universal advice. Everybody has different tastes. If you don't like high humidity, go to the Aegean coast. If you like it, go to the Mediterranean coast.
How long can you sunbathe?
Here we'll talk about the average number of sunshine hours per day.
Note that this is NOT the length of a sunny day, but the number of sunny hours. The sky may be overcast, the sun may not be visible. See the statistics below (hours per day, average):
| Antalya | Alanya | Marmaris | Fethiye | Bodrum | |
| Jan | 5 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 |
| Feb | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| Mar | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
| Apr | 9 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 7 |
| May | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
| Jun | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 |
| Jul | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 |
| Aug | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 11 |
| Sep | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 |
| Oct | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Nov | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Dec | 5 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 4 |
Again, there is not much difference between the resort regions. In either month of the beach season, there will be more than enough sun for sunbathing.
CONCLUSIONS AND HIGHLIGHTS
1. The weather in Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean resorts is almost the same. The air and water temperature, rainfall, and number of sunny hours are about the same.
2. The only difference is the humidity. In the Mediterranean, the relative humidity in the summer months is 65% and higher. In the Aegean Sea it is no more than 60%. Take your pick based on your own preferences.
3. The beach season starts at the end of April and ends at the end of October in all Turkish resorts.
Are there storms and hurricanes in Turkey?
They are, and almost every year. Fortunately, severe hurricanes are rare.
The last big hurricane hit the province of Antalya in late January 2019. The hurricane swept through the resorts of Antalya, Kemer, and Demre. The casualties are 2 people killed, 12 seriously injured, 1 missed. Total losses are 315 buildings damaged, estimated at about 100 million Turkish liras. For the current exchange rates, see our review "Money in Turkey".
The houses looked terrible after the storm, see the photo near and click on the photo to enlarge. President Erdogan promised to do everything possible to rebuild the province.
The winters of 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 fortunately passed without major hurricanes and storms. Or rather, there were Hurricanes Eve, Barbara, Hannelore, but they didn't cause very much damage.
However, hurricanes and storms only happen during the winter months. In summer they usually don't happen, tourists don't have to worry much.
Does it snow in Turkey?
It does, and it is a regular event in the northern part of the country, with at least one snowfall every year. Most of the time, the snow does not stay on the ground long, but stays longer on the roofs of houses. See photos from Istanbul.
Snow is very rare in the resorts. In Antalya, the last time snow fell was in December 2016, February 2021, January 2022. Many children in Antalya have seen snow for the first time in their lives, as there had only been snowfall before in 1993. Antalya residents took selfies in front of the snow with great pleasure. However, the snowfall was not heavy. The snow cover on the Tahtali mountain was a record 30 centimeters (11.8 inches). As it looked, see the photo near, click on the photo to enlarge.
For Antalya, even a little snow was a real disaster. The roads there are mountainous and winding. Turks don't know how to drive in snowy conditions. We had to stop the traffic.
This is interesting
Most Europeans think of Turkey as a very hot country. But in reality, it is not that hot. For example, banana trees in Turkey can grow and give fruits, but the fruits do not ripen, because it is too cold. Bananas can ripen only in a few regions, for example in the resort of Kaş (Kash). However, the Turks grow a lot of bananas in greenhouses.
Date palms grow in Turkey, but they do not give sweet fruits. The Turks also grow dates in greenhouses (rare case).
Everybody has heard about the famous Turkish coffee. However, coffee does not grow anywhere in Turkey, even in the hottest provinces. The reason for that is simple - the climate is too cold. And the phrase "Turkish coffee" refers not to the type of coffee, but to the way it is brewed.
The central Anatolian plateau (the center of the country) is surrounded by mountains on all sides. The climate is temperate, somewhat like that of Central Europe. Winter temperatures can be as low as -30°C (-22°F) and snow may fall for up to 120 days a year in some central areas.
The temperature record in Antalya is +45.4°C (113.7°F), set recently on 3 July 2017.
More important to know
- Some resorts in Turkey are referred to in advertisements as 'year-round'. It is true in some way. In winter, hotels are open for golf lovers, spa and thalassotherapy visitors, and tourists on excursion vacation. But there are no beach resorts in Turkey that are all year round;
- If you go sightseeing in winter, get ready for an unpleasant surprise. All reconstructions and repairs at the sights are done by Turks in winter;
- We have a detailed description of what to pack for each time of year in our in-depth review "What to take to Turkey";
- Those wishing to warm up in winter or in the evenings with alcohol will be disappointed. This method is very expensive in Turkey. Read more in our detailed review "Alcohol in Turkey - prices and rules".
Have a great holiday in the Turkish resorts and read our interesting pages about Turkey (find the pages list below).
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