The weather in Mongolia is known for being extremely harsh and challenging because of its high elevation of about 1500 meters, surrounded by high mountain ranges on all sides, and distant from any seas or oceans. The weather conditions in Mongolia are characterized by four distinct seasons that are very different from one another, with high fluctuations in temperature and low precipitation levels. The summer season, which lasts from June to mid-August, is short and dry, while the winter season, which lasts from November to April, is long and cold. The spring and autumn seasons vary every year.
Weather Temperature
Regarding temperatures, the average temperature throughout the year in Mongolia ranges between +0.2C. In winter, the temperature can drop to as low as -10 to -30C, while during summertime, it can rise to +10 to +25C. However, the temperature is much colder in the mountainous regions such as Altai, Khangai, Khentii, and Khovsgol mountains, with an average temperature of -4C. In bigger river valleys, the average temperature is -6C, while it is warmer in the south gobi, with an average temperature of +6C. During winter, temperatures can drop to a minimum of -28C to -54C, while during summer, the maximum temperature can rise to +30C to +45C.
Precipitation
Despite having four seasons, Mongolia has lower precipitation levels, which vary depending on the location of the bigger mountains and their elevation. In the Khangai, Khentii, and Khovsgol mountainous areas and bigger river basins, the precipitation level ranges from 260-380mm. In the Altai mountains, it is only 80-140mm, while in the steppe areas, it drops to 175-275mm. The precipitation level decreases from north to south, with a minimum of 60-160mm in the Gobi desert areas. In the southern gobi of the Altai mountains and around the border, the precipitation level is much lower, at about 30-50mm or less.
