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 The location of Armenia in subtropical
zone between the ridges of central part of Caucasus Minor and the fact, that
more than 90% of its territory at a height of more than 1000 km above the sea
level determine the basic characteristic of the climate of Armenia. It is
formed here by air masses of midlatitudes. In summer tropical continental air
masses encroach from the South. In winter the air above Armenian Plateau is
strongly cooled and the area of high air-pressure sets here.
The geographical location of Armenia and its unique topography creates as much
weather contrasts as the country itself. The climate is unusually varied
according to altitude and runs to extremes, but, as a whole, is defined as
continental. Armenia is protected from the harsh North Winter by the Caucasus
Ridge, and consequently receives much of its weather from the Middle East
Plains.
The average number of frost-free days in Armenia is 250 in Ararat Valley and
150-200 in the middle mountain areas.
Rainfall: Armenia
receives a total average precipitation of 550 mm (21.6 inches) with the least
(200-250 mm=8-10 inches) in Ararat Valley. The most occurs in the highlands,
during April - May, with a second rainy season in October and November. In
winter months, snow does not last in Ararat Valley, as the temperatures often
vary between freezing and just above. In the middle mountain areas, the snow
will keep for long periods of time, and commonly reaches up to 100 cm (40
inches).
Sunshine: Armenia
receives an average of 2700 sun hours of light a year (333 days). It is hard to
say when the best time to visit Armenia is. Each season offers its own menu of
sensations. The following may be of use for you in choosing the proper time for
your trip.
Winters are long and
moderate. In winter it is extremely cold and snowy in the mountains,
but in the valleys the weather is mild (0-5 below 0C). People taste the Summer
and Fall supplies, long evenings have a special magnetism when people visit
their friends and neighbors and warm themselves at an open fireplace - a
foreign guest will earn a special hospitality. The secret of Winter evenings
lies in the fact that there is no shorter way to understand Armenian sole as to
sit at a leisurely winter meal with locals and listen to the stories of old-age
past. For a winter camper, the terrain is easy to travel, and if you are
experienced and well equipped you'll be the winner. White background stresses
the density of colours and you'll get quite a new appreciation for nature.
Winter tourists visit the most favorite resorts like Tsakhkadzor, Dilijan and
Aghveran as frequently in winter as they do in summer for sport and relaxation,
picturesque scenery and pure air.
The cultural season is at its height during the last decade of December and the
first fortnight of January. Winter is the season of gourmets, music and theatre
lovers. They will find abundant entertainment for a merry social round.
Overcrowded bazaars, filled to overflowing with oriental fruit, sujukh (string
of walnuts covered by dried, thick grape juice), alani (dried apricot filled
with nuts and sugar powder) and other dainties of the times immemorial sharply
indicate approach of the New Year. Winter is the time for winter tales, time to
wish and to hope.
Springs are brief and
gay. You have to see the spring in Armenia yourself to absorb the
delicate fineness of its colours. The green is the triumphant, and mild
temperatures (12-20C) make the very air joyful. Springtime begins with Geezh
Mart (Crazy March), a month notorious for its unpredictable weather. By April
the delights of the season gradually steal in from the South, surmount the
passes creeping to the sheltered sunny Ararat Valley, advance up the rocky
valleys and descend gently upon the hills and plains of the North. This is the
time of the year when Armenians themselves love to set out across country, to
walk up a mountainside and pick snowdrops on the first patches of emerald green
showing through the faded whiteness of melting snows. Grass and trees seem to
grow at once. The verdant hills and meadows become alive with pilgrims anxious
to historic sites and naturalists gathering wild herbs and spices. Air is
electrified from the spring rains and the fragrance coming from orchards ablaze
with blossom. Spring festivals bring people out at large. Everyone takes to the
streets for a friendly chat with neighbors and if one could count the smiles
during the year, springtime would be at the top of the list.
Summers are hot and
arid. The weather gets very hot and dry in Ararat Valley and the
lowlands. In the highlands summers are mild and pleasant and springtime wild
flowers still bud and bloom in July, when the snowcaps begin to fall. The first
summer month is enjoyed for its mild warmth, but in second decade of July the
sun turns the bright spring colours of Ararat Valley to its pale shades. It is
the time of Navasard - pagan Armenian New Year and apricot harvest. Exquisite
taste of Armenian fruit is explained by mountain sources' irrigation (dating
back to VIII BC) and, of course, by intense summer heat (30-35 C). In Yerevan
guesting is shifted to the evening hours, and people promenade in the streets
and boulevards after sundown. Music is heard from cozy sidewalk cafes,
fountains relieve the weary passers-by, enormous markets are resplendent and
attract with summer richness, the traditional stalls are weighed down with
local pastries and vessels filled with "tan" - a traditional
refreshing yogurt drink. Summer is excellent for mountaineering, trekking etc.
People escape the burning heat at Lake Sevan, Tsakhkadzor, Dilijan, Jermuk and
numerous other resorts for sport and relaxation and lovely scenery. There
woodlands are brilliantly hued in green, swift-flowing rivers and streams are
teeming with fish, the air is fresh and invigorating. Hikers enjoy breathtaking
sunrises and sunsets in the mountains and crystal-clear view of snowy peaks,
discover the country's hidden pearls.
Autumns are cool and
refreshing. The autumn in Armenia needs innumerable adjectives to be
described. Splendid weather (20-25C), plenty of festivals, dates and happenings
make Golden Autumn, as Armenians call it "velvet season", the most
attractive time for visitors. After the mid-September break in the hot weather,
"Indian Summer" comes and lasts throughout October. For Armenians
this season is really one of fulfillment and repletion. It is the harvest-time
and the time of vineyard festivals when the Catholicos (Supreme Patriarch of
the Armenian Church) blesses the grape harvest. The variety of grapes grown in
Armenia is astonishing and you will even see grapevines lovingly raised high on
the balconies along the streets and avenues of Yerevan.
The wheat harvest is in full swing, and village women shake huge baskets of
wheat to separate kernels from the chaff. Tonirs, national Armenian ovens,
blaze as they bake lavash, national bread of the country, only about the
thickness of one or two sheets of newspaper used for wrapping the food in it,
making a sort of sandwich. Morning ground mists lie nostalgically in the
valleys, filled in the evenings with jollity, games and laughter. Town streets
draw people as a light attracts moths, and the cultural season begins, with
Opera, music, theatre and dance venues holding their first premieres of the
year. It is also the wedding season and on Saturdays blaring cacophony
indicates the routes of "just-married" escorts.
Each province has something to be proud of: Ararat Valley and Yeghegnadzor area
are renowned for delightful wines, Ashtarak is famous for its walnuts, Meghri
for figs, and each region is jealous for fame of its apples and apricots.
Indeed autumn in Armenia is the crown of the year and a favorite visiting time.
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