Weather

Turkey  is in a temperate climatic zone but has large temperature variations due to its diverse landscape which ranges from low-lying plains to towering peaks and mountain ranges running parallel to the coast. 

The Mediterranean region has hot, dry summers and short, mild winters.  The climate of the Aegean is similar though with lower temperatures.  The climate of the Marmara Sea and Istanbul, influenced by the Balkan Peninsula has warm, humid summers followed by cool, rainy winters but not much snow.  The Northern Black Sea mountains have rain year-round and are known for the resulting luxuriant green vegetation.   The summers of the Central Anatolian plateau are hot and dry and the winters cold but fairly dry. Further east, the altitude increases and harsh winters with heavy snow between October and May are followed by very hot summers. In the Southeast, a Middle Eastern influence exerts itself with cool dry winters and hot dry summers.