Istanbul, Turkey Climate & Monthly Averages
The climate of Istanbul
Istanbul runs on a dry-summer rhythm: the warmest months are also the driest. August averages 20 mm (0.8 in) while the wet season peaks in January at 4.3 inches (109 mm). Highs range from 48°F (9°C) to 84°F (29°C).
Climate quick facts
- Hottest month: August - highs near 84°F (29°C)
- Coldest month: January - highs near 48°F (9°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 102°F (39°C) high · 20°F (-7°C) low
- Wettest month: January (13 rainy days) · Sunniest: July (13.5 h sun/day)
- Climate type: Mediterranean
- Annual swing: 19°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 7°C
- Snow: about 6 days a year
- Average humidity: 76%
Temperatures through the year
January sits at the other end of the year: 48°F (9°C) by day, 39°F (4°C) at night. Warmth peaks in August: highs of 84°F (29°C), lows of 71°F (22°C). The gridded 2015-2024 daily record for this location tops out at 102°F (39°C) and bottoms at 20°F (-7°C) - decade extremes, not all-time station records. Days and nights are about 7°C apart on average - narrower than about 82% of the cities we track.
Rain, sun and snow
July is the brightest month at 13.5 hours of sun a day, against an annual average of 9.4. Snow falls on roughly 6 days a year, mostly December through March.
How Istanbul compares
- Istanbul sits close to the middle of our dataset on most measures: 60°F (15°C) as an annual average, 29.6 inches (753 mm) of precipitation and 9.4 hours of sun a day.
Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Daylight | Wet-day chance | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48° | 39° | 13 | 4.3 in | 5.5 h/day | 9.5 h | 43% | 79% |
| February | 51° | 40° | 11 | 3.0 in | 6.8 h/day | 10.6 h | 38% | 79% |
| March | 54° | 42° | 11 | 3.0 in | 7.8 h/day | 11.8 h | 36% | 79% |
| April | 62° | 47° | 9 | 2.2 in | 10.2 h/day | 13.3 h | 30% | 75% |
| May | 70° | 56° | 8 | 2.2 in | 11.7 h/day | 14.5 h | 27% | 76% |
| June | 79° | 65° | 8 | 2.0 in | 12.9 h/day | 15.1 h | 28% | 76% |
| July | 84° | 69° | 5 | 1.2 in | 13.5 h/day | 14.8 h | 15% | 71% |
| August | 84° | 71° | 3 | 0.8 in | 12.6 h/day | 13.8 h | 11% | 72% |
| September | 78° | 65° | 8 | 1.9 in | 10.9 h/day | 12.4 h | 26% | 72% |
| October | 68° | 57° | 7 | 2.2 in | 8.4 h/day | 11.0 h | 24% | 78% |
| November | 61° | 50° | 9 | 3.3 in | 7.1 h/day | 9.8 h | 29% | 78% |
| December | 53° | 44° | 12 | 3.5 in | 5.5 h/day | 9.2 h | 40% | 80% |
Istanbul month by month
Average high and low for each month, with the bar showing where it sits in Istanbul's year (left is the coldest night, right is the warmest afternoon).
January
- Rain
- 13 days
- Sunshine
- 5.5 h
- Daylight
- 9.5 h
- Snow
- 3 days
February
- Rain
- 11 days
- Sunshine
- 6.8 h
- Daylight
- 10.6 h
- Snow
- 2 days
March
- Rain
- 11 days
- Sunshine
- 7.8 h
- Daylight
- 11.8 h
April
- Rain
- 9 days
- Sunshine
- 10.2 h
- Daylight
- 13.3 h
May
- Rain
- 8 days
- Sunshine
- 11.7 h
- Daylight
- 14.5 h
June
- Rain
- 8 days
- Sunshine
- 12.9 h
- Daylight
- 15.1 h
July
- Rain
- 5 days
- Sunshine
- 13.5 h
- Daylight
- 14.8 h
August
- Rain
- 3 days
- Sunshine
- 12.6 h
- Daylight
- 13.8 h
September
- Rain
- 8 days
- Sunshine
- 10.9 h
- Daylight
- 12.4 h
October
- Rain
- 7 days
- Sunshine
- 8.4 h
- Daylight
- 11.0 h
November
- Rain
- 9 days
- Sunshine
- 7.1 h
- Daylight
- 9.8 h
December
- Rain
- 12 days
- Sunshine
- 5.5 h
- Daylight
- 9.2 h
Warmer places to go, by month: January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
Seasons in Istanbul
Spring (March through May)
Through spring, Istanbul stays on the cool side of mild: 62°F (17°C) by day, 48°F (9°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 29 days across the season.
Summer (June through August)
Summer in Istanbul brings hot afternoons, with daytime highs averaging 82°F (28°C) and nights around 68°F (20°C); rain comes on about 17 days over the three months. Daylight is generous - around 13.0 hours of sun a day.
Fall (September through November)
Through fall, Istanbul brings comfortable warmth: 69°F (21°C) by day, 57°F (14°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 24 days across the season.
Winter (December through February)
Winter in Istanbul is chilly, with daytime highs averaging 51°F (10°C) and nights around 41°F (5°C); rain falls on around 37 of the 90 days, plus about 5 snowy days.
Climate questions, answered
How warm is Istanbul on average?
What should I pack for Istanbul?
How cold does Istanbul get in winter?
How much sun does Istanbul get?
Best time to visit Istanbul
April to July and September to October is the sweet spot for Istanbul - the dry season is running but the afternoons are still bearable. Expect 74°F (23°C) in the afternoon and around 8 days of rain in a typical month of it. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in April.
Pack for Istanbul with light clothing for the warm months, a warm jacket and layers for the cooler season, a compact umbrella or rain shell and moisture-wicking fabrics for the humidity. Even in August, lows of 71°F (22°C) make an extra layer worth the space.
Istanbul temperature records (2015-2024)
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ. Need the precipitation in other units? The mm-to-inches rainfall converter handles it.