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The climate of Algeria
Algeria is one of the largest countries in the African continent.
There are reasonably large differences in climate. It is quite hard to
pinpoint where one climate zone ends and the other one starts. Some
parts of the country even have several climate zones. The altitude and
the location you are in as well as your location in relation to the
mountains and plains determine the climate. The northern part of the
country has a Mediterranean climate. The mountains have a mountain
climate and/or a desert climate. The north eastern part has a
subtropical climate. The south western part has a desert climate and
several regions throughout Algeria have a steppe climate. The lowest
parts of Algeria are almost 40 meters below sea level (in the north
east). The highest point can be found in the Ahagger-Massif in the
south east at 3 kilometers. The Atlas mountain range can be found in
the northern part of Algeria. This mountain range is responsible for
stopping large quantities of rain that come from the Mediterranean
Sea.
Heat
In the lower regions during the summer temperatures of 40-50 degrees
Celsius are not uncommon. Sometimes even temperatures above 50 degrees
Celsius can be recorded. In the higher regions and in the coastal
areas the climate is much more bearable. However, high temperatures
during the period from May till October are not uncommon.
Chili
Just like the neighboring country of Libia Algeria often has to deal
with sirocco winds which are called Chili in Algeria (Ghibli in
Libia). This fierce south to south westerly desert wind brings large
quantities of red Sahara sand. If the Chili blows you can hardly go
out. You can barely see and even breathing is unpleasant; especially
when temperatures rise to 40-50 degrees Celsius in a short amount of
time. After 2-4 days these winds usually die down.
Rain
Precipitation figures vary throughout the country. In the interior the
amount of precipitation is usually limited to tens of millimeters of
rain per year, some regions hardly get any rain. Along the coastline
this is a different story. The eastern part of the coast between the
capital of Algiers and the port of Skikda get more than 1000
millimeters of rain per year; most of the rain falls during the
winter.
Snow
You will have to see it to believe it, but snow does fall in Algeria.
In the higher regions snow falls on a regular basis during the winter
and subzero temperatures are not uncommon either. In some places you
can actually go on winter sports. Few people know this is a
possibility in Algeria. In some cases the area north of the Lesser
Atlas gets snow as a result of which snow can be found along the
coast. However, this is a very rare and very special sight.
Climate figures
The figures below are based on long term weather and climate
records and are an average for the capital of Algiers
(Please, note that the climate in other areas depend on location,
altitude and prevailing influences)
More climate information
Climate figures are very useful but don’t present a general impression
of the climate and the eventual weather circumstances within a certain
period. The figures don’t always reflect the chance of wintry weather,
extreme heat or hurricanes. That is why we monthly offer useful extra
climate information. The information below goes for most parts
in Algiers.
Disclaimer
The information at this site was carefully composed from climate data collected by meteorological services, meteorological offices, climate experts and other sources. “More climate info” is based on statistics, climate data and personal experience. No rights can be derived from this site. Weather has no memory and gives no guaranties. Nothing is as changeable and unpredictable as the weather. The authors of this site feel in no way responsible for any damages caused by misinterpretation or other circumstances that may influence your holiday or trip to a certain destination. We provide information, it’s up to the reader to use it to it’s benefit.
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= 0-5 mm ●
= 6-30 mm ●
= 31-60 mm ●
= 61-100 mm ●
= 101-200 mm ●
=
over 200 mm
