The climate of Herat
Herat is a city located in the western part of
Afghanistan. The city's climatic conditions classify it under the Köppen climate classification as a BSk or Mid-latitude Steppe. This classification signifies mostly dry conditions interspersed with cold winters. The considerable fluctuation in monthly temperature, humidity, and rainfall totals outlines an ecological environment that necessitates adaptive living.
A yearly temperature range from 1°C (33.8°F) up to 33.3°C (91.9°F) is witnessed in Herat.
January tends to be the coldest month, with a low temperature average of 1°C (33.8°F), escalating to a peak of 33.3°C (91.9°F) in
July. Recurring trends demonstrate that temperatures consistently rise from the beginning of the year, culminating in July before descending through
December.
Relative humidity values also undulate vastly, from 16% to 51%, with the lowest percentage from
June to
August, implying drier conditions. On the other hand, the wettest months spanning from January to
March and
November to December depict higher relative humidity percentages upwards of 40%.
Rainfall in Herat follows a cyclical pattern with the start of the year experiencing frequent rains. January,
February, and March receive 25mm (0.98"), 30mm (1.18"), and 32mm (1.26") of rainfall respectively. However, a rapid decline is noted from
May to
September where virtually no rainfall occurs. Patterns of rainfall are mirrored in the snowfall schedule, where January experiences 42mm (1.65") of snow while the rest of the year records minimal to no snowfall.
The best time to visit Herat
Visiting
Herat would be most agreeable from
May to
September when temperatures are comfortably warm, ranging from 28.1°C (82.6°F) to 33.3°C (91.9°F), and humidity levels drop to their lowest. Moreover, these drier months do not experience any rainfall, with sunshine hours reaching their peak at up to 14 hours a day, ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
The worst time to visit Herat
Tourists are advised against visiting
Herat at the start of the year, from
January to
March. These months are characterized both by low temperatures, dipping to a chilly 1°C (33.8°F), and significant rainfall. In January, Herat experiences an average of 7 rainy days and 1.5 snowfall days with 42mm (1.65") snowfall.
Spring weather in Herat
Spring consumes
March through
May in
Herat. The temperature during this season sees a steady rise from 16.7°C (62.1°F) in March to 28.1°C (82.6°F) in May. Relative humidity levels decrease, starting at 44% in March and ending at a relatively low 28% in May. Rainfall decreases significantly from 32mm (1.26") in March to a mere 5mm (0.2") in May, indicating the transition into the dry summer months.
Summer weather in Herat
The summer months between
June to
August constitute the driest period in
Herat. Temperatures climb to their highest point of the year, peaking at 33.3°C (91.9°F) in
July. The heat is complemented by low relative humidity, dropping to its lowest at 16% in July and August. Virtually no rainfall occurs during this period, allowing for plenty of sunshine hours that reach up to 14.4 hours a day.
Autumn weather in Herat
From
September to
November,
Herat experiences autumn. The weather during this season starts to cool down with temperatures decreasing from 28.2°C (82.8°F) in September to 14.4°C (57.9°F) in November. Relative humidity rises slightly, and rainfall starts to occur more frequently with November receiving 11mm (0.43") of rainfall.
Winter weather in Herat
Herat's winters span from
December to
February. A significant drop in temperature is observed during this period, reaching a yearly low of 1°C (33.8°F) in December and
January. Relative humidity rises to 51% in February, presenting the wettest month of the year. Winters in Herat also bring about snowfall, with January experiencing the highest snowfall of 42mm (1.65").
Weather in January
A crisp and chilly month,
January in
Herat Afghanistan sees relatively cold conditions. Being the start of the year, the weather sets a tranquil and calm mood. Notably, maximum temperatures hover around 8.8°C (47.8°F), while the lowest can fall to 1°C (33.8°F), complemented by a modest relative humidity of 49%.
Weather in January »Weather in February
Moving into
February, temperatures in
Herat Afghanistan climb slightly, yet the weather remains cold. Sunshine increases compared to
January, signaling the transition into spring. In fact, highs reach 10.3°C (50.5°F) while lows remain around 1.9°C (35.4°F) in February, a marginal increase from the preceding month.
Weather in February »Weather in March
March announces the arrival of Spring in
Herat Afghanistan, offering a noticeable boost in temperatures. This shift ushers in a more comfortable climate, mitigating the winter chill. Significantly, temperatures fluctuate between a cozy 16.7°C (62.1°F) and a cooler 7.8°C (46°F), leaving a comfortable range for residents to enjoy.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April in
Herat Afghanistan greets residents with a warming trend, resulting in a pleasant weather experience. This month is characterized by clear skies, longer days, and increasing temperatures, providing a perfect setting for outdoor pursuits.
Weather in April » Weather in May
May announces the onset of summer in
Herat Afghanistan, boasting even higher temperatures than the preceding months. Weather patterns feature moments of heat during the day while quickly cooling off in the evenings. For instance, on hotter days, temperatures peak at 28.1°C (82.6°F), while on cooler nights, it drops to around 16.8°C (62.2°F).
Weather in May » Weather in June
June brings an intense heatwave to
Herat Afghanistan, catching the city in the height of summer. The weather during this month is defined by high temperatures, long daylight hours, and relatively little cloud cover. Amid this period, temperatures escalate to a blazing 31.8°C (89.2°F) with the dawns providing slight relief at 19.6°C (67.3°F).
Weather in June »
Weather in July
In
July,
Herat Afghanistan experiences a peak summer month, marked by the year's highest temperatures. High temperatures may be oppressive during the day, but the nights provide some degree of cooling. Specifically, highs can climb to a sweltering 33.3°C (91.9°F) while lows mildly settle around 21.2°C (70.2°F).
Weather in July »Weather in August
August in
Herat Afghanistan remains within the bounds of the summer season but starts to show signs of receding heat. Daily weather patterns indicate cooler mornings and evenings with warmer afternoons. Despite the slight reduction in temperatures with highs of 31.8°C (89.2°F) and lows around 19.3°C (66.7°F), conditions remain arid as no rainfall is recorded.
Weather in August » Weather in September
September in
Herat Afghanistan signals the onset of the fall season, introducing a balance between heat and coolness. The weather proves welcoming as the harsh summer heat gradually relents during this period. Average temperatures span between highs of 28.2°C (82.8°F) and a cooler low of 15.6°C (60.1°F), the milder climate being the highlight.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October brings cooler weather and the genuine arrival of fall to
Herat Afghanistan. Days feature pleasant temperatures, while nights start to acquire a noticeable chill. Though temperatures remain comfortable at highs of 22.2°C (72°F) and cool down to lows of 11.4°C (52.5°F), a modest 8mm (0.31") of rainfall begins to restore moisture to the climate.
Weather in October » Weather in November
In
November,
Herat Afghanistan steps further into the chilly embrace of late fall. This transitional month demonstrates noticeable temperature drops as winter approaches. Residents experience maximum temperatures of 14.4°C (57.9°F), but with minimum temperatures dropping to 5.6°C (42.1°F), the November air holds a distinct chill.
Weather in November »Weather in December
December in
Herat Afghanistan arrives with the full power of winter, introducing cold weather conditions accompanied by slight snowfall. Personal warming gears become necessary as low temperatures become dominant. During this sharp winter month, the thermometer scales between a daytime high of 10.6°C (51.1°F) and an overnight low of about 2°C (35.6°F).
Weather in December »