The Scorching Secrets Of Afghanistan's Climate

Afghanistan is a landlocked Central Asian country with a continental climate. It is located in the subtropics of the northern hemisphere, with the northern part of the country belonging to the temperate climate zone. The country experiences considerable variation in temperature and precipitation between seasons, with cold winters and very hot summers. The temperature differences between day and night can sometimes exceed 30 degrees. The northern mountainous regions can experience annual temperatures well below zero, while the southern arid regions regularly have temperatures over 35ºC. The hottest month in Kabul, the capital city, is July, with an average high of 93°F (33.9°C) and a low of 67°F (19.4°C).

Afghanistan's average yearly temperature

Afghanistan has an arid continental climate with significant temperature variation throughout the year. The annual mean temperature in Kabul, Afghanistan is 12°C (53.6°F), with a range of 27.3°C (49.1°F). The hottest month is July, with an average high of 34°C (93°F) and a low of 20°C (67°F). During the hot season, which lasts for 3.9 months from May to September, the average daily high temperature exceeds 28°C (83°F).

In contrast, the coldest month is January, with an average low of -4°C (25°F) and a high of 7°C (44°F). The cold season, lasting for 3 months from December to March, sees average daily highs below 11°C (53°F). Temperatures can dip as low as 14°F (-10°C).

The temperature also varies across the country, with mountainous regions experiencing annual temperatures below zero and southern arid regions regularly exceeding 35°C. The northeastern mountain range receives more than 1,000 mm of precipitation each year, while the southwestern arid region typically gets less than 150 mm.

Seasonal temperature variation

Afghanistan has an arid continental climate with considerable seasonal variation in temperature and precipitation. The country is located in the subtropics of the northern hemisphere, while the northern part of the country is in the temperate climate zone. The landlocked Central Asian country has a continental climate due to its altitude and distance from the sea.

Winters in Afghanistan are generally cold, and summers are very hot, with temperature differences sometimes exceeding 30 degrees Celsius between day and night. The northeastern part of the country, including the Hindu Kush mountains, experiences cold winters with average temperatures ranging from -4 to 1 degree Celsius. Summers in this region are mild, with average temperatures between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius. However, temperatures drop progressively at higher altitudes, and extreme temperatures below -50 degrees Celsius have been recorded in the high mountains.

In Kabul, the summers are hot, dry, and clear, with temperatures often reaching as high as 35 degrees Celsius. The hot season typically lasts from May to September, with July being the hottest month. On the other hand, winters in Kabul are very cold, snowy, and partly cloudy, with temperatures frequently dropping well below zero. The coldest month is usually January, with average temperatures ranging from 25 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit.

As you move further south, the country becomes flatter, and temperatures rise significantly. The Kandahar region has a distinct desert climate, with cold nights and extremely hot days during the winter and summer, respectively. Humidity decreases significantly in this region, and precipitation is rare.

The amount and type of precipitation vary across Afghanistan. Most moisture comes during winter and spring, brought by westerly winds from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The northern mountains cool the air masses, leading to higher precipitation in the mountainous regions compared to the dry south. From June onwards, precipitation decreases drastically, resulting in very dry conditions. The Nimroz region in the southwest is the driest area in Afghanistan, receiving less than 100 mm of precipitation annually.

The hottest parts of Afghanistan

Afghanistan is characterised by dry, hot summers and severe winters. The country is landlocked and has a continental climate due to its altitude and distance from the sea. The further south you go in Afghanistan, the flatter the country becomes and the hotter it gets.

The city of Jalalabad is among the hottest places in Afghanistan, recording a maximum temperature of 49°C in July. The average summer temperature in Kabul, which is at a higher altitude, is 90°F. In Kandahar, a distinct desert climate can be found, with temperatures dropping to 5°C at night in winter and ranging from 30 to 40°C during the day in summer.

The hottest temperature recorded in Afghanistan in the last 47 years was reported by the Kandahar Airport weather station. In August 2009, a record temperature of 44.2°C was reported.

The coldest parts of Afghanistan

Afghanistan experienced its coldest winter in 15 years in 2023, with temperatures dipping as low as -34°C (-29.2°F). This extreme cold snap began on January 10, 2023, and led to the deaths of at least 160 people, making it the deadliest weather event of that year until Cyclone Freddy. The cold snap also caused the deaths of around 77,000 livestock and damaged over 50 homes across the country.

The cold weather directly or indirectly caused these fatalities in various provinces, with 84 deaths occurring in the last week of the cold snap. The snow and freezing temperatures also made it difficult for humanitarian relief efforts to reach those in need, especially in the mountainous regions. The snowfall reached up to 30 centimetres (12 inches) in these higher altitudes.

The combination of the cold snap and the ongoing famine in Afghanistan created a dire situation for the country's residents. The famine was already affecting more than half of the population, and the extreme cold made it even more challenging for people to access basic necessities like food, water, and heating fuel. The economic crisis and the Taliban's restrictions on female NGO workers further complicated relief efforts, as many aid groups had to partially suspend their operations.

The impact of the cold weather was felt across Afghanistan, but the mountainous regions were particularly affected. These higher altitudes experienced heavier snowfall and more extreme temperatures, exacerbating the challenges of accessing and delivering aid to those regions. The specific provinces or geographic areas within Afghanistan that experienced the lowest temperatures during this cold snap are not readily available, but it is safe to assume that the mountainous regions, with their higher altitudes, were among the coldest parts of the country during this period.

The climate in Kandahar

Kandahar, Afghanistan, is known for its extreme temperatures. The city has a subtropical steppe climate or a mid-latitude steppe climate, with a yearly mean temperature of 18.5°C or 18.6°C. However, temperatures can vary by as much as 26.8°C throughout the year.

Summers in Kandahar are oppressively hot and dry, with an average high of 39.6°C in July, the hottest month. The temperature can reach as high as 40°C, and the constant sunshine causes skin to burn quickly and increases the risk of heat-related illnesses.

Winters, on the other hand, are relatively mild, with average highs in the mid-50s°F (around 10-13°C) and lows in the low 30s°F (around 0-4°C). Winter is the most humid time of year, and most of the province's precipitation falls between late December and early April.

Spring and autumn bring more moderate temperatures. In April, for example, daytime highs are in the mid-80s°F (around 26-29°C) and nightly lows in the 50s°F (around 10-15°C). May sees temperatures rise further, with highs in the 90s°F (32-37°C) and lows in the 50s and 60s°F (10-15°C).

Kandahar experiences a substantial diurnal temperature range, with daytime highs and overnight lows differing by 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This is due to the lack of cloud cover, which allows heat to escape quickly at night and the land to warm up rapidly in the mornings.

The city receives very little rainfall, with an annual precipitation of around 7-8 inches, and around 22 rainy days per year. As a result, the region enjoys an exceptional amount of sunshine, far more than most places on Earth.

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