CLIMATE
The territory of the Republic of Macedonia is characteristic of three different climates:
- Changed Mediterranean
- Mountainous
- Mildly Continental
The changed Mediterranean climate is represented in the Gevgelija-Valandovo ravine, the Dojran and the Strumica-Radoviš ravines. It can also go as north as Skopje following the flow of the Vardar river.
This climate is characterized with long and dry summers and mild and rainy winters. The spring and the fall are not very noticeable. The fall is longer and warmer and the spring is shorter and colder. The average temperature in the hottest month - July, is about 25 degrees Celsius. Demir Kapija is the hottest town in the country with a summer temperature that can get up to 40 degrees Celsius. The average temperature in the coldest month - January, is relatively high with about 3 degrees Celsius.
The average yearly rainfall in the areas with changed Mediterranean climate is fairly low. The average yearly rainfall by the Vardar river is less than 500 mm., and it is one of the driest regions in the country. In the other areas of the changed Mediterranean climate the average rainfall is 600-750 mm. Snowfall is very rare for these areas.
The mountainous climate, as its name suggests, is found in the high mountainous regions of the country. It is characterized with long and snowy winters and short and cold summers. The spring is colder than the fall.
The temperature in the mountainous climate decreases with the increase of the elevation. That is why the lowest temperatures are found in the highest parts of the mountains. The Šar Mountain, for example, has negative average temperatures in four months of the year, and it is also similar with the other high mountains.
The coldest months are January and February, and the warmest July and August. However, even in the warm months there can be big weather changes and even snowfalls.
As for the precipitation, the regions from the mountainous climate have the highest yearly precipitation in the country with as much rain and snowfall as 1,000 mm. The precipitation decreases as you go east and in the Eastern part of the country it is 600-700 mm. The average period that the snow stays on the mountains is from November to April, but in the higher mountains the snow can stay until the end of May.
The mildly continental climate is the most characteristic for Republic of Macedonia, since it covers the biggest area of the country. It is characterized with relatively cold and humid winters and warm and dry summers. The spring is colder than the fall.
There are differences in the average temperatures in the regions of the mildly continental climate. This is because of the differences in the regions' geographic latitude, elevation, etc. The average July temperature is highest in the Ovčepole, Kočani, and Skopje ravines. The average January temperature is lowest in the Maleševo ravine.
The yearly precipitation also differs, ranging from 490 mm., in the Ovčepole ravine, to 760 mm., in the Prespa ravine. Apart from rain and snow, there is also hail-fall in these regions..
