Comparison of
Turkey - Slovakia
Climates
By
Eysan Tugce Ozkan
It would be more correct to answer the question of "what is the climate" before moving
on to the climate types and characteristics seen in Turkey and Slovakia.
What is Climate?
Climate is a general name given to the change of coldness and temperature, which affects
human life, nature and natural balance. The reason for the changing temperatures in autumn,
winter, spring and summer is due to the seasonal changes in climate.
Climate In Turkey
Turkey is located between the temperate zone and the subtropical zone. The fact that Turkey is
surrounded by seas on three sides, the length of the mountains and the diversity of landforms
have led to the emergence of different climate types. In the coastal regions of our country,
temperate climate characteristics are seen due to the effect of the seas. The North Anatolian
Mountains and the Taurus Mountains prevent the effects of the sea from entering the interior.
Therefore, continental climate characteristics are seen in the inner parts of our country. Based on
the criteria used in climate classifications made worldwide, the following climate types can be
distinguished in our country:
1. Continental Climate
Terrestrial Climate, which is one of the three climate types seen in Turkey, is seen in Central
Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia and Southeastern Anatolia Regions and Central Western Anatolia
regions of our country. The characteristics of this climate type are as follows;
•
Summer months are hot and dry.
•
In the Central Anatolia region, the most precipitation falls in the spring, and the least
precipitation falls in the summer months.
•
The average precipitation rate in the Central Anatolia region is 300-400 mm.
•
In the Central Anatolia region, the average temperature seen in winter is 1-2°C, and the
average temperature seen in summer is around 22-23°C.
•
In the inner-west Anatolian part of the Aegean region, precipitation is less than in the
coastal part.
•
The annual average temperature in the Northeastern parts of the Eastern Anatolia region
is 4-6°C.
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•
In the Northeastern Anatolia region, the average temperature in winter is -7, -10°C, and
the average temperature in summer is 119°C.
•
Annual precipitation is 500-600 mm.
•
The average rainfall in the Southeastern Anatolia region is between 400-700 mm.
•
In the Southeastern Anatolia region, the winter months are not very frosty, and the
summer months are extremely dry.
•
In the Southeastern Anatolia region, the annual average temperature is 15-16°C, the
winter temperature is 3-4°C, and the summer temperature is 30-35°C.
2. Mediterranean Climate
The climate in the Mediterranean region is rainy and warm in winter, and hot and dry in summer.
While this temperature balance depends on the falling angle of the sun's rays, drought changes
depending on the descending air movements. In the Mediterranean, the average of the hottest
month is 28-30 °C, and the average of the coldest month is 8-10 °C. The annual average
temperature in this region is 18 degrees.
One of the greatest features of the Mediterranean climate is the absence of snowfall and frost in
winter. Annual precipitation is highest in winter and least in summer. Rainfall in the
Mediterranean climate in winter is of frontal origin. Although the annual precipitation rate in the
Mediterranean varies according to the altitudes, it is seen between 600-1000 mm on average. In
the Mediterranean, where the vegetation is maquis, the precipitation regime is irregular. The
characteristic of the maquis vegetation; It is resistant to summer drought and has a vegetation
consisting of short dwarf trees such as myrtle, laurel, arbutus, olive, oleander and carob.
3. Blacksea Climate
The most important feature of the Black Sea climate is that precipitation can be seen at all times
of the year. On the other hand, maximum precipitation occurs in autumn and minimum
precipitation occurs in spring.
The general common features of the Black Sea climate are as follows;
•
The annual average temperature is between 13-15°C.
•
The average temperature in January is 67°C.
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•
The average temperature in July is 21-23°C.
•
The annual temperature difference is 13-15°C.
•
The natural vegetation is forest.
•
Alpine meadows are seen in high areas.
Climate in Slovakia
Slovakia has a mild climate due to its location in the northern moderate climatic zone.
Slovakia's climate is influenced by its location in continental Europe, wind circulation from the
west, and height. There are climatic differences from region to region in the country, these
differences can be seen in Bratislava, Košice, Poprad and Spiš settlements. The temperature in
Slovakia's lowlands is warmer than the climate in the mountains due to topographical
differences, and height has a comparable effect on climatic seasons. Danubian Lowland and
Eastern Slovak Lowland are the hottest parts in Slovakia. The average annual temperature in the
lowlands is approximately 10°C. As you climb higher in height, the temperature drops and the
volume of precipitation increases. The coldest temperatures are found on mountain summits,
where yearly temperatures average around -3°C in the summer, -4°C in the winter, and -10°C in
the summer. Throughout the year, the weather and precipitation patterns, as well as the duration
of the day and night, alter dramatically.
Slovakia's precipitation map depicts the country's climate as a typical continental climate
affected by ocean currents. Slovakia's landscape is what causes atmospheric precipitation to be
dispersed in different quantities. Because they are open to prevailing western and north-western
winds and moisture from the Atlantic, mountain ranges play a crucial function known as
precipitation shading, leaving the windward sides of the mountains damp and windy. Nitra is one
of Slovakia's windy towns. The leeward flanks of the mountains, on the other hand, receive
relatively little precipitation. The district of Spiš, which lies in the shadow of the Tatras, is a
good example of this phenomena. The High Tatras get a lot of precipitation, notably in the form
of snow.
The average yearly temperature in Slovakia is 10 degrees Celsius (51 degrees
Fahrenheit). With an average temperature of -3 degrees Celsius (26 degrees Fahrenheit), January
is the coldest month of the year. In the months of July and August, the maximum average
temperature is 26 degrees Celsius (78 degrees Fahrenheit). Slovakia receives roughly 649 mm of
rain each year (25 in). The wettest month is July, with an average rainfall of 73mm (2.87in) over
11 rainy days.
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Conclusions
There are differences between the climates of Slovakia and Turkey because their
geographical locations and terrestrial features are different from each other. The biggest reason
for this difference may be that Turkey is surrounded by seas on 3 sides and Slovakia is in Central
Europe.
Although continental climate is encountered in both, differences can be observed from
region to region.
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