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Temperatures in
Armenia generally depend upon elevation. Mountain formations block the
moderating climatic influences of the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea,
creating wide seasonal variations. On the Armenian Plateau, the mean midwinter
temperature is 0° C, and the mean midsummer temperature exceeds 25° C. Average
precipitation ranges from 250 millimeters per year in the lower Arax River
valley to 800 millimeters at the highest altitudes. Despite the harshness of
winter in most parts, the fertility of the plateau's volcanic soil made Armenia
one of the world's earliest sites of agricultural activity. |
a r m e n i a |
 rainfall
Armenia receives a total average precipitation of
550 mm (21.6 inches). Ararat Valley receives the least amount of precipitation,
200-250 mm (7.9 to 10 inches). The most amount of precipitation occurs in the
upper regions, and during Spring and early Summer, with a second rainy season in
October and November.
sunshine
Armenia receives an average of 2700 sun hours of light a year. In the summer
months, the Ararat valley is perpendicular to the sun, and each sq. cm of land
receives per minute 1.46 calories of heat.
weather patterns
The weather changes according to the great variety of geographic terrain. While
it may be sunny and hot in the Ararat valley, 60 kilometers away in Sevan it may
be cold and rainy, and snowing in the upper regions of Aragats. Common July
temperatures range between Ararat Valley highs of 25-30╟ C (77-86╟ F) to middle
mountain regions summer highs of 18-20╟ C (64-68╟ F). The absolute recorded high
was 42╟ C (107.6╟ F), in Ararat Valley. Common January temperatures range
between Ararat Valley lows of -5 to -7╟ C (23 to 19╟ F), with an absolute
recorded minimum of -30╟ C (-22╟ F); to middle mountain regions common lows of
-8 to -12╟ C (16 to 12╟ F) and an absolute low of -46╟ C (-46╟ F) recorded at
Arpi. The average number of frost-free days in Armenia is 250 in Ararat Valley,
and 150-200 days in the middle mountain areas. In the upper elevations no more
than 30-50 days are considered frost-free.
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