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Türkiye recorded a sharp temperature contrast in March, with the coldest reading dropping to minus 21.2 degrees Celsius (-6.2°F) in eastern Van province and the highest climbing to 25.6 degrees (78.1°F) in the southern coastal district of Iskenderun in Hatay, according to official meteorological data.
Data compiled from the Turkish State Meteorological Service, which operates under the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, shows that temperatures across the country largely hovered around seasonal norms, with some localized deviations.
While areas such as Antakya and Cizre experienced temperatures below long-term averages, places including Demre, Bartin and Yalova saw slightly warmer-than-usual conditions. Elsewhere, readings stayed close to expected March levels.
The country’s average temperature for March stood at 7.5 degrees Celsius (45.5°F), just below the long-term average of 7.7 degrees (45.9°F) calculated over the 1991–2020 period, offering a clear benchmark used by meteorologists to assess climate trends.
The most striking contrast emerged between eastern and southern Türkiye. The district of Ozalp in Van recorded the lowest temperature nationwide at minus 21.2 degrees (-6.2°F), reflecting the region’s harsher continental climate.
In contrast, Iskenderun, located along the Mediterranean coast in Hatay province, registered the highest temperature at 25.6 degrees (78.1°F), highlighting the milder and more temperate conditions typical of coastal areas.
Across Türkiye’s regions, temperatures largely aligned with expectations, though local variations stood out.
In the Marmara region, conditions remained near seasonal averages, except for slightly warmer readings around Yalova. The lowest temperature in the region was minus 3.3 degrees (26.1°F) in Luleburgaz, while the highest reached 24.2 degrees (75.6°F) in Sakarya.
The Aegean region saw temperatures remain consistent with seasonal norms throughout, with Tavsanli recording the lowest at minus 7.1 degrees (19.2°F) and Nazilli the highest at 23.5 degrees (74.3°F).
In the Mediterranean region, temperatures dipped below normal around Antakya but rose above normal near Demre, while the rest of the region stayed in line with seasonal expectations. The coldest point was minus 10.3 degrees (13.5°F) in Goksun, while the warmest matched the national peak in Iskenderun.
Central Anatolia maintained typical March conditions across the region, with temperatures ranging from minus 12.6 degrees (9.3°F) in Kangal to 20 degrees (68°F) in Cicekdagi.
The Black Sea region followed a similar pattern, with Bartin slightly above seasonal norms and other areas remaining typical. Bayburt recorded the lowest temperature at minus 13.4 degrees (7.9°F), while Boyabat saw the highest at 24.7 degrees (76.5°F).
Eastern Anatolia, known for its colder climate, remained within seasonal expectations overall, despite hosting the country’s lowest temperature in Ozalp. The region’s highest reading reached 20.8 degrees (69.4°F) in Malatya.
In southeastern Türkiye, temperatures fell below normal around Cizre but otherwise tracked seasonal averages. The lowest temperature was minus 3.6 degrees (25.5°F) in Batman, while Birecik recorded a high of 23.6 degrees (74.5°F).
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