Armenia’s climate can be described as highland continental, with large variation between summer highs (Jun-Aug) and winter lows (Dec-Feb). The average annual precipitation is relatively low at 526mm. Precipitation intensity is higher in the high-altitude regions with May and June the wettest months. The mountainous regions can also experience prolonged periods of snow cover.

Temperature

• In 2018 The Ministry of Nature Protection delivered its second Biennial Report under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, this report cites an average temperature rise of 1.23°C between 1929-2016.
• This historical rise in temperatures has been linked to shrinking of glaciers in the mountain regions by an estimated 50%.
• In 2018 Armenia's capital city Yerevan experienced a new record July temperature reaching 42°C.
• Climate variability is reported as increasing in Armenia’s Third National Communication to the UNFCCC. The annual number of events designated as hazardous hydro-meteorological phenomena (HHMP) has increased (such as hurricanes, snow storms, heat waves) characterised particularly by an increase in the number of frost events.

 Precipitation

• According to Armenia’s Third National Communication to the UNFCCC, submitted in 2015, a 10% reduction in annual precipitation volume was documented over the period 1935-2012.
• The spatial distribution of precipitation changes is irregular, the northeast and central regions have become more arid, yet precipitation has increased in the southern and northwestern regions and in western region of the Lake Sevan Basin.
• The number of days in which heavy rainfall and hailstorms have been experienced has increased.