Istanbul weather
World cities · Türkiye · 41.01°N 28.98°E
Istanbul, in Türkiye, has its warmest weather in August, when daytime temperatures average 29.8°C, while January nights are the coldest at around 4.3°C. The city sees roughly 766mm of rain a year; January is normally the wettest month and August the driest. Figures are averaged from 2020–2024 observations.
Climate averages
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9.9° | 4.3° | 98mm | 12 |
| Feb | 10.8° | 4.3° | 74mm | 10 |
| Mar | 11.7° | 4.7° | 83mm | 13 |
| Apr | 16.6° | 8.7° | 72mm | 10 |
| May | 21° | 12.4° | 59mm | 9 |
| Jun | 25.9° | 17.8° | 61mm | 9 |
| Jul | 29.4° | 20.8° | 34mm | 4 |
| Aug | 29.8° | 21.3° | 20mm | 4 |
| Sep | 25.9° | 18° | 47mm | 7 |
| Oct | 20.8° | 13.8° | 44mm | 6 |
| Nov | 16.1° | 9.8° | 94mm | 9 |
| Dec | 12.7° | 7.4° | 80mm | 12 |
Seasons in Istanbul
Spring (March–May). Daytime highs in Istanbul climb from 11.7°C in March to 21°C by May, while nights ease from 4.7°C to 12.4°C. The season brings around 214mm of rain in total.
Summer (June–August). The warmest stretch of the year: afternoons average 28.4°C, peaking in August at 29.8°C. August is usually the driest of the summer months (20mm over ~4 rainy days). Around the June solstice, Istanbul gets roughly 15.0 hours of daylight.
Autumn (September–November). Daytime temperatures fall from 25.9°C in September to 16.1°C by November, with around 185mm of rain across the season.
Winter (December–February). Nights average 5.3°C, with January the coldest month (average low 4.3°C, daytime high 9.9°C). Expect about 34 days with measurable rain over the three months, and only around 9.0 hours of daylight in mid-December.
How Istanbul compares
| Istanbul | UK town average | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual rainfall | 766mm | 1054mm |
| Rainy days per year | 105 | 167 |
| Summer daytime high | 28.4°C | 19.7°C |
| Winter night low | 5.3°C | 3.4°C |
Istanbul is about 27% drier than the average for the 121 UK towns tracked on this site (1054mm), based on 2020–2024 monthly normals.
Istanbul weather FAQs
What is the warmest month in Istanbul?
August is typically the warmest month in Istanbul, with average daytime highs of 29.8°C. Summer afternoons (June–August) average around 28.4°C.
What is the wettest month in Istanbul?
January is usually the wettest month, with around 98mm of rain over roughly 12 rainy days. August is typically the driest (20mm).
How much does it rain in Istanbul per year?
Istanbul receives roughly 766mm of precipitation per year, spread over about 105 days with at least 1mm of rain (based on 2020–2024 observations).
How cold are winters in Istanbul?
Winter nights (December–February) in Istanbul average around 5.3°C, with January typically the coldest month (average low 4.3°C).
When is the best time to visit Istanbul for good weather?
Late spring and summer offer the most reliable weather in Istanbul. August is typically the driest of the warm months (20mm of rain), while August is the warmest, averaging 29.8°C by day — and near the June solstice there are around 15 hours of daylight to enjoy.
How does Istanbul's weather compare with the UK?
Istanbul receives 766mm of rain a year, about 27% drier than the average for the 121 UK towns tracked on this site (1054mm). Summer daytime highs average 28.4°C against a UK-town average of 19.7°C, and winter nights average 5.3°C versus 3.4°C.