Features of the climate of Crimea

It is difficult to find another place on earth where zones with different climatic conditions coexist on a limited area, as in the Crimea. The geographical position and nature of the landscape make the climate of the peninsula unique and unique.

Although 3 climatic zones can be distinguished on the map of Crimea, and its climate is diverse, it also has common features common to all regions, features that manifest themselves in several factors.

• High temperature. Crimea is a peninsula located in the southern latitudes, and this explains the fact that winters here are not particularly frosty. Winter temperatures in the central part of the peninsula are characterized by minus indicators, but they are not as low as at the corresponding latitude of continental Russia. Regions along the coast have positive average values ​​in winter.
• Seasonal deviation. This is manifested in the fact that the weather conditions of spring and autumn do not meet recognized standards. Crimean autumn is characterized by warm weather and does not last long. Spring, on the contrary, is distinguished by its duration and rather cool weather.
• In the autumn, warm air is maintained and maintained by the sea, which has warmed over the summer. During the winter, the sea cools and, conversely, prevents the rapid heating of air on the peninsula.
• Aridity of the climate. This also applies to the entire Crimean territory. Annual average values ​​are not higher than 600 mm for precipitation, including rain and snow. The northern mountain slopes are some exceptions; they are accessible to the northerly winds that carry rains.But the climate here does not differ in humidity: there is only no drought.
• Relatively the same is atmospheric pressure.which ranges from 758 mm in summer to 765 mm in winter.
• Direction of the wind. It is also not very diverse for the whole of Crimea and depends on the geographical location, type of landscape and nature as a whole.

Crimean climatic zones and zones are located in accordance with the nature and characteristics of the territory, and are not related to the geographical location of a particular region. The climate of the peninsula can be represented by three climatic zones.

Steppe lowland regions are in the zone of temperate continental climate. A hot summer with a small amount of precipitation is a distinctive feature for this region. Summer rains are very rare. All precipitation for the year is extremely small - in the range of 300-400 mm. In the summer, there is a rather high positive temperature, in July it can average + 21.23 ° C.

The climate of the steppe zone is divided into 3 subzones, slightly different from each other.

• The northern and central territories of the peninsula - moderately warm climate with arid and moderately hot summers.
• Subzone of the Sevastopol region and forest-steppe regions. It is not too hot in summer, and drought is not severe.
• Feodosia and moderately warm steppe regions characterized by a very arid and sultry summers.

This zone, in turn, is divided into subzones according to the vertical principle. The foothills bear the features of the climate of the adjacent climatic zones - steppe or south-coastal.

The zone at an altitude of 400-500 m above sea level is the lower forest mountain zone, where the climate prevails with mild or very warm winters. Humidity is very high, heavy rains are quite frequent, and in the spring and autumn months the rains are regular.

In the middle zone, at an altitude of 500 to 700 m, the mountain-forest climate is characterized by insufficient humidity and mild or moderately mild winters. In the upper part of the mountains above 700 m, the climate is humid and moderately warm, and in the higher highlands it is already cooler and wetter.

This climatic zone is located in the subtropic zone, the climate here is Mediterranean, in some areas it is subtropical, which allows many plants of the tropics and subtropics to grow.

Summer is hot, especially August, the humidity is not high, but it rains periodically. Fogs on the coast are common, frequent and common. July average temperature is around + 23.25 ° C.

Let us consider how the climatic indicators in the Crimea change in different months of the year.

• January. The month is characterized by rather cool weather, although snow and freezing temperatures are very rare. The snow that has fallen does not lie for long and melts immediately under the influence of warm air. The average temperature in the zones looks like this: on the coast +4, in the central-steppe zone about –3 ° C, in the mountainous regions about 0.
• February. Crimean February is the coldest month of winter. Snow caps appear on the tops of the mountains, and the slopes are covered with snow. The sea has cooled and may even freeze slightly. It often storms.In the afternoon, the temperature is often below 0 ° C, but does not fall below –5. According to average indicators, the February temperature is expressed in the following numbers: on the southern coast +3, in the mountain zone –1, in the steppe regions –4 degrees Celsius.
• March. The first spring month is characterized by sudden warming, daytime air temperature can reach +20, but the weather is still cold at night. At this time, the average temperature in the southern region reaches +6, in the central steppe zone +1, in the mountains +3 degrees. It is time for the awakening of nature.
• April. Under the influence of sea breezes, nature is actively reviving. The warm sun warms the earth well, and the average temperature rises. In the south, in April it is already +11, in the mountains and in the plains up to + 9 ° C.
• May. Vegetation begins to bloom violently. Sea water temperature can reach summer temperatures. In the second half of May, the swimming season is often open. The temperature regime on the coast and in the central zone reaches an average of +16, and in the mountains + 14 ° C.
• June. In the first summer month, the active holiday season begins. The average monthly temperature contributes to this quite well: in the south, in the steppe region, it rises to +20, in the mountains to + 18 ° C.
• July. This month is rightly considered the most favorable for relaxation: it’s quite warm, but there is no scorching heat. Average temperatures are expressed in numbers: on the coast up to +24, in the mountains +21, in the steppes - up to + 23 ° C.
• August. The air is extremely hot and becomes heavy and dense. Daytime temperature rises to +35, and the heat does not subside even at night. The average temperature at this time: in the south +24, in the steppes +22, in the mountains + 20 ° C.
• September. Favorable mild weather replaces the heat, and the velvet season begins. The nights are getting cooler, but you can still swim during the day. Average temperatures: on the seashore +20 more, in the mountain and steppe zones + 16 ° C.
• October. The earth still retains heat, but the air becomes cooler during the day. The sea gradually cools, and the swimming season ends. The temperature regime is kept within +15 on the south coast, + 10 ° C in the steppe and in the mountains.
• November. The weather is characterized by sudden changes in temperature: + 20 can change by + 10 ° C. Average temperatures are also lowering: on the coast +10, in the steppe +3, in the mountains + 6 ° C.
• December. The onset of winter is characterized by cold air currents, wet rainfall in the form of rain and snow. At this time, the temperature drops to +7 in the south, +1 in the mountains and + 2 ° C in the steppes.

The average annual temperature in different climatic zones is not the same. Its decrease is observed from east to west. On the southern coast, average annual rates can range from +12.14, in the central steppe zone +9.7.11, in the lower mountain subzone +8.10, and on the top plateaus the lowest temperature is from +3.5 to +6 degrees Celsius.

Water on the Black Sea coast of Crimea warms up unevenly. Faster this process occurs in those places where there is less depth. On the Crimean coast, this corresponds to the northwestern and northeastern regions. Here, the water temperature can reach + 17 ° C by mid-May.

Off the southern coast of Crimea, sea water cools much more slowly. therefore almost until mid-October, the water temperature allows you to swim.

Seasonal changes affect the temperature of sea water. Its averages for different cities are represented by different numbers.

• In January in Alupka and Miskhor it is + 9.6 ° C, in Alushta + 9.4 ° C in Sudak + 9.3 ° C, in Yalta 9.5 ° C, in Kerch 5.9 ° C, in Yevpatoria +8 ° C.
• In February it decreases: near Alupka, Miskhor and Yalta to + 8.6 ° C, near Alushta to + 8.4 ° C, Kerch to + 5.4 ° C, in Sudak + 8.3 ° C, in Yevpatoria to +7 , 3 ° C.
• In March-April a gradual increase in temperature occurs: near Alupka, Alushta, Miskhor and Yalta from + 8.6 ° C in March to + 10.4 ° C in April, near Kerch from + 5.9 ° C to + 10.4 ° C, Evpatoria from 7.6 ° C to + 10 ° C, respectively.
• In May water warms up already to + 16.4 ° C near Alushta, Sudak and Yalta, and in Alupka to + 10.3 ° C, in Kerch to + 17 ° C, near Miskhor to + 16.3 ° C, in Yevpatoria to + 16.1 ° C.
• In June the mass bathing season begins, as the water warms up to + 18.22 ° C. In Alushta, Miskhor, Sudak and Yalta, water reaches + 21.8 ° C, in Alupka + 21.7 ° C, in Kerch + 22.6 ° C, in Yevpatoria + 21.3 ° C.
• July August - the time when the water warms as much as possible. Near Alupka, Miskhor and Sudak it is warmed up to + 24.6 ° C, in Alushta and Yalta to + 24.7 ° C, in Kerch + 25.5 ° C, in Yevpatoria + 24 ° C.
• In August in all cities the temperature exceeds + 25 ° C. On some days, it can rise to + 26.28 ° C.
• In September during the velvet season, the water is still quite warm - within + 22.22.6 ° C in almost all cities. The lowest water temperature near Kerch - it reaches + 22 ° C.
• In October the sea begins to cool gradually. Near Alupka and Miskhor it is already + 18 ° C, near Alushta and Sudak + 18.1 ° C, near Kerch + 16.3 ° C, and Yevpatoriya + 17.7 ° C.
• In November and December water cooling continues: from + 14 ° C near Alupka, Miskhor and Sudak (in November) to + 11.1 ° C (in December), near Alushta from + 14.2 ° C to + 11.2 ° C, in Kerch from + 11.1 ° C to + 7.8 ° C, in Yalta from + 14.1 ° C to + 11.2 ° C and in Yevpatoriya from + 13.3 ° C to + 10.1 ° C.

Humidity is an integral component of the water balance of the atmosphere. It directly affects cloud formation and rainfall. Enrichment of the atmosphere with moisture is carried out due to the evaporation of sea and ocean water.

In winter and summer, humidity varies markedly. Summer is characterized by the lowest relative humidity, and winter is the highest. Wet days are considered when relative humidity reaches 80% at noon, and at a rate of 30%, days are considered very dry. In winter, on the peninsula, humidity can vary from 60% in the foothill zone to 65-76% in the whole other territory.

Another important climate factor is atmospheric precipitation. The Crimean territory is distinguished by a complex and peculiar landscape structure and the peculiarity of air mass circulation. Therefore, precipitation is not evenly distributed, and their volume can fluctuate within such limits: in the steppe regions - 250 mm, in the mountainous regions - 1000 mm per year.

Insufficient humidity affects the main part of the territory of Crimea. The coast is characterized by a seasonal decrease in precipitation, which occurs in the spring-summer period.

In Crimea, precipitation is characterized not only by uneven distribution, but also by their varying amounts from year to year. The total annual indicator in different years may vary. In the steppe regions, this fluctuation can be as follows: from a minimum of 110-250 mm to a maximum of 485-720 mm, although their average is 340-425 mm per year.

In the lower mountain subzone, these figures vary with an average annual rate of 450-490 mm from a minimum of 190-340 mm to a maximum of 715-870 mm. The southern coast is characterized by such numbers: the average annual level is 430-550 mm, the minimum is 160-180 mm, and the maximum is up to 1030 mm per year.

As well as uneven rainfall at different times of the year. The maximum rainfall in the steppe regions and in the Crimean foothills occurs in June-July, on the southern coast the wettest month is January or December. Only in the east and west coasts of the precipitation are somewhat uniform throughout the year.

Rains are the main type of rainfall and make up from 80 to 85% of the total annual indicator. Snow and hail account for only about 10%, and the proportion of mixed precipitation is even less - from 5 to 8%. In the mountain In Crimea, the amount of rain varies from height: the higher, the less rainfall.

Snow cover in winter is also unevenly distributed. There is no permanent snow cover in the main territory. It is stable only in high mountain regions.

Air pressure is the only indicator that is the same for the entire peninsula.It varies depending on the season and amounts to 758 mm in the summer and 765 mm of mercury in the winter.

Winds also affect climatic conditions. Mountains have a great influence on their speed and frequency. The prevailing wind directions on the peninsula are northeast, northwest and southwest. In winter, northeast (45%), less often southwest (25%) and south (20%) winds blow most often.

In the spring, northeast and northwest wind prevail in the steppe regions, and south on the seashore. The climate of Crimea is characterized by different types of winds.

• Storm They occur most often in high plateaus - up to 80-85 days, and least often in the steppe regions - 12-28 days per year.
• Hurricane winds usually accompanied by storms from the northeast.
• Breezes - winds that change their direction depending on the time of day: during the day they blow from the sea to the coast, and at night in the opposite direction. July-August is the time when breezes occur most often - up to 18 days per month.
• Hair dryer - a type of mountain wind that forms mainly in the winter and spring months. This dry wind often lowers air humidity by up to 8%.

For human health, such weather conditions as solar radiation and air temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, and air saturation with ions and ozone are important. The unique climate of Crimea combines all these factors in the best way.

Sunbathing should be dosed, gradually increasing the duration of exposure to the sun. Excessive sun exposure can lead to sunstroke and heat stroke, exacerbation of existing diseases and skin burns.

For people who come to Crimea for recovery, the best time to relax is the velvet period in October or May-June. At this time, it is already quite warm to take sun and air baths, but there is no sweltering heat.

Another factor with a therapeutic effect is sea bathing, which affect various mechanisms of regulation of the body and increase overall tone.

The healing Crimean climate is quite suitable not only for rest or improvement, but also for permanent residence, although January and February bring some inconvenience to local residents.

Since the Crimean climate is very diverse, some districts and cities have some differences in weather conditions.

The best climate for living is considered to be in Evpatoria. The average annual temperature reaches + 11.7 ° C. The climate is moderately warm, there is enough rainfall. That Evpatoria is recommended for families with children.

The warmest city is Miskhor, followed by Alupka. In it, the sun shines 246 days a year, and autumn is warm and favorable. Winter temperatures are not lower than + 4 ° C.

Yalta has the driest air. It is protected by high mountains from the penetration of cold air masses. Evergreen subtropical vegetation and warm marine fumes weaken the heat, fill the air with useful healing components.

About the climate in the Crimea, see below.