Features of the climate of the Crimea

It is difficult to find another place on earth where zones with different climatic conditions coexist in 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 there are 3 climatic zones on the map of Crimea, and its climate is varied, it also has common, peculiar to all regions, features that manifest themselves in several factors.

• High temperature. Crimea is a peninsula located on the southern latitudes, and this explains the fact that winters here are not particularly frosty. Although in the central part of the peninsula, winter temperatures are characterized by minus indicators, but they are not as low as at the corresponding latitude of continental Russia. Regions along the coast have a positive average 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, differs in duration and rather cool weather.
• In autumn, warm air is maintained and maintained by the sea, which has warmed up over the summer. During the winter, the sea cools down and, conversely, prevents the air from warming up on the peninsula rapidly.
• Climate aridity. This also applies to the entire Crimean territory. Average annual rates do not exceed 600 mm for precipitation, including rain and snow. The northern hillsides are some of the exceptions, they are accessible to the north winds that carry rain. But the climate is not humid here either: there is no drought here.
• Relatively similar is the atmospheric pressure.which ranges from 758 mm in the summer to 765 mm in the winter.
• Direction of the wind. It is also not very diverse for the whole Crimea and depends on the geographical location, type of landscape and nature in general.

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

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

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

• North and Central Peninsula - moderate warm climate with dry and moderately hot summers.
• Subzone of Sevastopol region and forest-steppe regions. In the summer it is not too hot here, and the drought is never severe.
• Theodosius and moderately warm steppe areas characterized by very dry and hot summer.

This zone, in turn, is divided into subzones on the vertical principle.The footsteps bear the climate features of the adjacent climatic zones - steppe or south coast.

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

In the middle belt 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 moderately warm, and in the higher highlands it is already cooler and more humid.

This climate zone is located in the subtropical 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 low, but it rains periodically. Fogs on the coast are common and frequent and common. The July average temperature is kept at + 23.25 ° C.

Consider how climate changes in the Crimea in different months of the year.

• January. The month is characterized by rather cool weather, although snow and sub-zero temperatures are very rare. Fallen snow does not lie long and immediately melts under the influence of warm air. The average temperature in the zones is as follows: on the coast is +4, in the central-steppe zone about –3 ° C, in the mountainous regions around 0
• February. Crimean February is the coldest month of winter. Snow caps appear on the mountain tops, and the slopes are covered with snow. The sea is cold and can even freeze slightly. It often storms. During the daytime, the temperature is often below 0 ° C, but does not fall below –5. In terms of average, February temperature is expressed in the following figures: on the southern coast, +3, in the mountainous zone, –1, in the steppe regions, –4 degrees Celsius.
• March. The first spring month is characterized by sudden warming, daytime temperatures can reach +20, but cold weather still holds at night. At this time, the average temperature in the southern region reaches +6, in the central-steppe belt +1, in the mountain +3 degrees. It is time to awaken 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 already +11, in the mountains and in the plains areas up to + 9 ° C.
• May. The vegetation begins to thrive. The temperature of sea water can reach the summer indicators. In the second half of May, the bathing 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 begins the active holiday season. The average monthly temperature is quite conducive to this: in the south, in the steppe region, it rises to +20, in mountainous areas to + 18 ° C.
• July. This month is considered to be the most favorable for rest: it is 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 steppes - up to + 23 ° C.
• August. The air is extremely heated and becomes heavy and thick. The 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. The heat is replaced by favorable mild weather, and the velvet season begins. The nights are getting cooler, but in the afternoon you can still swim.Average temperatures: on the seashore +20 more, in mountainous and steppe zones + 16 ° C.
• October. The earth still retains heat, but the air is getting cooler during the day. The sea is gradually cooling down, and the swimming season ends. The temperature regime is kept at around +15 on the southern coast, + 10 ° C in the steppe and in the mountains.
• November. The weather is characterized by sudden temperature changes: + 20 can be replaced by + 10 ° C. Average temperatures also fall: on the coast + 10, in the steppe +3, in mountainous areas + 6 ° C.
• December. The onset of winter is characterized by cold air currents, wet precipitation 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 varies. Its decline is observed from east to west. On the southern coast, the 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 summit plateaus the lowest temperature is from + 3.5 to +6 degrees Celsius.

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

At 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 seawater temperature. Its averages for different cities are represented by different numbers.

• In January it is in Alupka and Miskhor + 9.6 ° C, in Alushta + 9.4 ° C in Sudak + 9.3 ° C, in Yalta 9.5 ° C, in Kerch 5.9 ° C, in Yevpatoriya +8 ° C
• In February it decreases: near Alupka, Mishor and Yalta to + 8.6 ° C, near Alushta to + 8.4 ° C, Kerch to + 5.4 ° C, in Sudak + 8.3 ° C, in Yevpatoriya to +7 ; 3 ° C.
• March-April there is a gradual increase in temperature: near Alupka, Alushta, Mishor 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 the water is already warming up to + 16.4 ° C near Alushta, Sudak and Yalta, and in Alupka up to + 10.3 ° C, in Kerch up to + 17 ° C, near Mishkhor up to + 16.3 ° C, in Evpatoria up to + 16.1 ° C.
• In June there is a massive bathing season, 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, Kerch + 22.6 ° C, in Yevpatoria + 21.3 ° C.
• July August - time when water is warmed as much as possible. Near Alupka, Miskhor and Sudak it is heated to + 24.6 ° C, in Alushta and Yalta to + 24.7 ° C, in Kerch + 25.5 ° C, in Yevpatoriya + 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 is near Kerch - it reaches + 22 ° C.
• In October the sea begins to cool gradually. Near Alupka and Miskhor it is already + 18 ° C, in Alushta and Sudak + 18.1 ° C, near Kerch + 16.3 ° C, and Yevpatoriya + 17.7 ° C.
• In November and December the cooling of the water 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 Yevpatoria from + 13.3 ° C to + 10.1 ° C.

Humidity is an integral component of the water balance of the atmosphere. It directly affects the formation of clouds and precipitation. The atmosphere is enriched with moisture due to the evaporation of sea and ocean water.

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

Another important factor in climate is precipitation. The Crimean territory is distinguished by a complex and unique structure of the landscape and a feature of the circulation of air masses. Therefore, precipitation is unevenly distributed, and their volume can vary within the following limits: in the steppe areas - 250 mm, in the mountainous areas - 1000 mm per year.

Insufficient humidity affects the bulk 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 figure in different years may vary. In the steppe areas, 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 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 figures: the average annual level is 430-550 mm, the minimum is 160-180 mm, the maximum is up to 1030 mm per year.

As well as uneven rainfall at different times of the year. The maximum amount of precipitation 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 of the coastal sediments are somewhat uniform throughout the year.

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

Snow cover in winter is also unevenly distributed. There is no permanent snow cover on the main territory. It is sustainable only in the highlands.

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 summer and 765 mm of mercury in winter.

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

In the spring, the northeast and northwest wind prevails in the steppe areas, and the southerly wind on the seashore. The climate of the Crimea is characterized by different types of winds.

• Storms. They occur most often in the high plateaus - up to 80-85 days, and least likely in the steppe areas - 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: in the daytime 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 a month.
• Hair dryer - a view of the mountain wind that forms mainly in the winter and spring months. This dry wind often lowers air humidity 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 the Crimea in the best way combines all these factors.

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

For people coming to the Crimea for recovery, the best time for rest 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 therapeutic effects is sea bathing, affecting various mechanisms of regulation of the body and increasing the overall tone.

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

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

The best for life is the climate in Evpatoria. The average annual temperature reaches + 11.7 ° C. The climate here is moderately warm, with enough precipitation. It is Evpatoria recommended for families with children.

The warmest city is Miskhor, followed by Alupka. 246 days a year the sun shines in it, and autumn is warm and favorable. Winter temperatures do not fall below + 4 ° C.

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

On the features of the climate in the Crimea, see below.