Climate of Romania

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Geography of Romania
Topography

Carpathians (peaks)
Plains & Delta
Islands

Hydrography

Rivers (Danube)
Lakes
Black Sea

Climate
Flora & Fauna

Protected areas

Because of its position on the southeastern portion of the European continent, Romania has a climate that will change from temperate and continental. Climatic conditions are somewhat modified by the country's varied relief. The Carpathians serve as a barrier to Atlantic air masses, restricting their oceanic influences to the west and center of the country, where they make for milder winters and heavier rainfall. The mountains also block the continental influences of the vast plain to the north in the Ukraine, which bring frosty winters and less rain to the south and southeast. In the extreme southeast, Mediterranean influences offer a milder, maritime climate. The average annual temperature is 11°C (51.8°F) in the south and 8°C (46.4°F) in the north. In Bucharest, the temperature ranges from -29°C (-20.2°F) in January to 29°C (84.2°F) in July, with average temperatures of -3°C (26.6°F) in January and 23°C (73.4°F) in July. Rainfall, although adequate throughout the country, decreases from west to east and from mountains to plains. Some mountainous areas receive more than 1,010 millimeters (about 39.764 inches) of precipitation each year. Annual precipitation averages about 635 millimeters (25 inches) in central Transylvania, 521 millimeters (about 20.512 inches) at Iaşi in Moldavia, and only 381 millimeters (15 inches) at Constanţa on the Black Sea.

Average temperature and precipitations in Bucharest
Average temperature and precipitations in Bucharest

Owing to its distance from the open sea, Romania has a continental climate. Summers are generally very warm to hot, with average maxima in Bucharest being around 27°C (81°F), with temperatures over 35°C (95°F) not unknown in the lower-lying areas of the continent. Minima in Bucharest and other lower-lying areas are around 18°C (64°F), but at higher altitudes both maxima and minima decline considerably.

Satellite image of Romania in December, showing most of its territory under snow
Satellite image of Romania in December, showing most of its territory under snow

Winters are quite cold, with average highs even in lower-lying areas being no more than 2°C (36°F) and below -15°C (5°F) in the highest mountains, where some areas of permafrost occur on the highest peaks.

Precipitation is generally modest, averaging over 750mm (30 inches) only on the highest western mountains - much of it falling as snow which allows for an extensive skiing industry. In the delta of the Danube rainfall is very low, averaging only around 370mm (15 inches) per year, whilst in the more westerly lowland like Bucharest it is around 530mm (21 inches).

[edit] Absolute maximum and minimum Temperatures

The absolute minimum temperature was -38.5°C, registered near Braşov in 1944. The absolute maximum temperature was +45°C, recorded at Calafat in the 1950s.