The climate of Afghanistan

Afghanistan is an arid and dry country with a pronounced continental climate. The climate varies a lot with the location of the place.

Afghanistan is a mountainous country and a network of mountains extends throughout its territory. Therefore, the climate of a particular area depends very much on its elevation and location. Kabul, the capital, for example, located at an altitude of 6,000 feet, has a very cold winter and a hot summer. Jallalabad, by comparison, located in the eastern plains, has cool winters and very hot summers with temperatures often reaching 110 F (43 C). Kandahar to the southeast, located at an elevation of about 4,000 feet, has a climate that is midway between Kabul and Jallalabad. The winters are less severe than those of Kabul and the summers, although hot, are moderated by the altitude.

Precipitation, everywhere in Afghanistan, is very scarce. In the hills it is mainly found in the form of snow. Kabul receives snowfall in winter due to Western Disturbances, an additional tropical depression that crosses Afghanistan from January to March. Winter precipitation accounts for more than 80% of Afghanistan’s precipitation.

In short, the climate of Afghanistan is an extreme form of continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. If you want to visit Afghanistan, you should avoid these stations. A good approach would be to visit this country during spring and autumn, when temperatures are within tolerable limits and the weather is sunny and dry.