It Doesn’t Snow in Aydın, Here Are the Reasons!
Aydin in recent days has seen snowfall for the first time since 2017 which the pictures here illustrate.
Aydin is one of the hottest cities in Turkey, which does not see snowfall in the summer months. Temperatures rarely drop below freezing at night, but the expected snow never falls in the city center. So, what conditions need to come together for snowfall? Is snowfall guaranteed when the air temperature drops below zero? Here are the answers to these questions…
Aydin city saw snow for the first time in 48 years in 2017 however, since then snowfall has become quite rare. Although snowfall is rare in Aydın’s low altitude regions due to climate conditions, this natural event can occur surprisingly in high altitudes and with sudden cold waves. According to evaluations made in previous years, the frequency of snowfall in Aydın remains quite low due to the warm climate of the region. Here are the reasons and details for the lack of snowfall in Aydın.
1. Climatic Characteristics:
Aydin is under the influence of the Mediterranean climate where:
The winters are mild and rainy,
It has a structure where summers are hot and dry.
During the winter months, temperatures generally range between 5-15°C. This temperature range does not fall below the 0°C required for snowfall.
2. Geographical Location and Marine Influence
Aydin is located in a region close to the sea. The sea has a warming effect in the winter months. This makes it difficult for the temperature in the region to drop below zero.
High humidity causes precipitation to fall as rain rather than snow.
3. Low Altitude
A large part of Aydın has low altitude plains close to sea level.
In order to experience snowfall in Aydın, one generally has to go to higher altitudes, such as Madran Mountain.
4. Temperature and Humidity Balance
Low temperatures alone are not enough for snowfall; there must also be enough moisture in the atmosphere, and this moisture must crystallize at the appropriate temperature and turn into snowflakes.
Since the temperature in Aydin does not drop sufficiently, humidity falls to the surface in the form of rain or sleet.
5. The Effect of Cold Air Masses is Limited
The Siberian cold that affects eastern Turkey or the cold air masses coming from the Balkans usually weaken when they reach Aydın. Therefore, the region is only slightly affected by these cold air waves.
When was the last time it snowed in Aydin?
Snowfall is a very rare natural event in Aydin. The last comprehensive snowfall in the city center was recorded in April 2017, after a 48-year break.
This situation was especially effective in high altitudes such as Efeler, Nazilli, Köşk, Bozdoğan and Karacasu. The last time a similar snowfall was seen in Aydın was in April 1969. Such precipitation usually occurs due to sudden temperature drops and causes postcard views.
In coastal districts such as Didim, the last snowfall was recorded for a short time in 2021. This also occurred after a 9-year interval.
Aydın Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu made a snow gesture with trucks to children, many of whom had never seen snow before. The children, who had seen snow on the high mountains of Aydın and heard about it from their elders played joyfully in it.
Why doesn’t it snow in Aydin? Temperature Conditions
For snowfall, the air temperature must be below 0°C.
However, not only the atmospheric temperature, but also the ground temperature must be close to or below this level. If the ground temperature is high, the snowflakes melt as they fall to the ground and accumulation does not occur.
Humidity Rate:
There must be sufficient moisture in the atmosphere.
Humidity is the basic component that provides water vapor in the formation of snowflakes.
Air Movements:
Rising air movements cause water vapor to condense into snow crystals.
This is especially common in mountainous regions, on front lines where warm and cold air masses meet, and in low pressure systems.
Atmospheric Dynamics:
Low pressure systems or frontal movements create suitable conditions for snowfall.
For example, cold air masses such as the Siberian high can increase snowfall.
Does It Snow When The Temperature Is Below 0°C?
When the temperature drops below zero, snowfall is not a sure thing. This is due to:
Insufficient Humidity: If there is not enough moisture in the atmosphere, snow cannot form and the air experiences a condition called dry cold.
Lack of Weather Systems: When there are no systems that provide upward air movement, snowfall will not occur.
Temperature Layers: If the lower atmosphere is warm, snowflakes melt before they hit the ground.
Which Regions See Snow More Frequently?
High Altitude Regions: Snowfall is more common in mountainous areas because the temperature is lower.
Humid Areas: Areas close to the sea receive snow more often because the humidity is high. Source: https://yenisokegazetesi.com/
