Despite being at the same latitude as Naples, Istanbul does not offer the same climate. In fact, the presence of the Bosphorus, the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara create an exceptionally unique microclimate that is often unpredictable.
From late May to August, temperatures range from 18° to 28°C but are decidedly humid and sultry with extremely high humidity that is often unbearable. This results in heat haze enveloping the Bosphorus in the morning and violent thunderstorms in the late afternoon.
From April to June and from September to October, in spring and autumn, average temperatures are mild, between 16° and 25°C and humidity is not oppressive. These are considered the best months to visit the city.
The winter season, meanwhile, from November to March, surprises travellers with its melancholic and romantic character: few tourists, more intense rainfall (80–100 mm per month), cool days and nights, and temperatures between 2° and 10°C. A mild climate compared to the rest of Europe, with light and colours that enchant with their retro charm.
The hottest months of the year in Istanbul are June, July and August, when the monthly average temperature reaches 28 °C, while the coldest months of January and February the thermometer drops up to 3 °C.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max °C | 8 | 8 | 11 | 16 | 20 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 25 | 19 | 14 | 10 |
| Min °C | 4 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 6 |
In Istanbul rainiest months of the year are February, January, November and December during which monthly rainfall average reaches 100 mm. On the other side, driest months are June, July and August when the average rainfall is reduced to 20 mm per month.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mm | 100 | 70 | 50 | 60 | 40 | 30 | 30 | 20 | 50 | 60 | 100 | 100 |
| Days | 14 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 17 |
June, August and July are sunniest months of the year. During that months, from sunrise to sunset there are 12 total sunshine hours in Istanbul. In February, November, January and December sunshine hours are reduced to 3.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hours | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
Months of the year when sea water is warmer are July, September and August, average temperature is around 22 °C.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| °C | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 16 | 14 |
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