Weather in Libya is marked by Saharan and Mediterranean influence. The weather in Libya is characterized by arid summers with high temperatures and cyclonic storms and frequent spells of rain. The hot summers are a result of the Saharan influence, while the westerly winds bring down the temperature. The westerly winds also account for the distributed precipitation in Libya.
The location of Libya accounts for its peculiar weather conditions. Located in the north of Africa, Libya is situated between Egypt and Tunisia. The large and arid southern desert contributes to the increasing summer temperature. The country is also bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. Libya has warm and dry summers, followed by cold winters. The absence of mountain range accounts for the scanty rains. The presence of a number of highlands and Tibesti Massif accounts for dry desert winds like ghibli in Libya.
Temperature zones in Libya:
Libya has five different climatic zones. However, the chief climatic influences are Mediterranean and Saharan. The coastal lowlands of Libya experience a typically Mediterranean climate. The weather is dry with small distribution of rainfall. The highlands on the other hand, enjoy cooler climate. Frosts are a regular phenomenon. Weather in the desert regions of Libya is characterized by diurnal range of temperature. There is huge difference between day and night temperatures.
Temperature in Libya:
The temperature in Libya is usually high in the summer months. The presence of the Saharan desert contributes to the rising arid conditions in summer. July and August are the hottest months in Libya. The average monthly temperature in Banghazi ranges between 22° to 29° C. The average monthly temperature in Tripoli is cooler, because of the Mediterranean influence. The average summer temperature is 17° to 30° C. Al-'Aziziyah situated on the Al-Jifarah Plain records the highest temperature in Libya with 58° C. Droughts are a regular phenomenon in Libya, during summers.
The winters in Libya are cooler. The winter temperature in Libya ranges between 8° to 16° C. January and February is the coolest winter months. During these months, temperature may drop to as low as 1º-2ºC.
Rainfall in Libya:
Rainfall in Libya is pretty low. Much of the rain occurs in winters. The average annual precipitation is less than 100 mm. Jabal al Akhdar located in the Cyrenaica region records the maximum rainfall of 250 mm.
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