'Handbook of Mesopotamia. Vol. I. 1918' [‎32] (41/568)

32
CLIMATE
Of these twelve stations 'Aintab, Urfeh, and Diarbekr represent the
climate of the hilly country which lies immediately to the southward
of the mountain-ranges extending from the Gulf of Iskanderun on
the west to Lake Van on the east. This region, which forms a part
of the upper basins of the Euphrates and the Tigris, lies at an altitude
of 1,500 to 3,000 feet, while many of the hills rise to greater heights.
At Aintab the observations, which relate to rainfall only, extend
over thirty-two years. At Urfeh and Diarbekr the periods are'shorter
being seven (1900-6) and two to four years (1901-5) respectively, but
the observations are more complete and include all climatic factors.
Situated on the banks of the Tigris, about 100 miles farther south
than Diarbekr and more to the eastward, is Mosul, where observations
have been made for three to four years (1908-11). This town, which
is about 900 feet above sea-level, represents the climate of the southern
part of upper Mesopotamia, where more arid conditions prevail than
in the foot-hills. At Mosul itself the winter rainfall is considerable,
but in the Jezlreh it decreases gradually as the hill-country is left
behind.
Upper Mesopotamia
Temperature (Tables I-VII, pp. 44-9)
rhe coldest month is January, while the hottest is July or August,
there being but little difference between these two months. The
mean temperature of the day (Table I) varies from about 40° F. in
January (31 F. at Diarbekr) to about 90° F. in July and August, the
increase being at the rate of about ten degrees per month from April
onwards. September sees a definite reduction of temperature after
e summer heat, and in October and November the temperature
diminishes rapidly.
The difference between the temperature at Mosul and that of the
s a ions m the hills is not very apparent in the mean temperature,
but is clearly seen in the daily and monthly extremes (Tables II-VI).
ine mean daily maximum temperature in Mosul in July is 110° F.,
u- 01 ™ ian Diarbekr, while the mean monthly maximum,
the highest temperature which may ordinarily be expected in the
men is -6 F., or 11 and 12° above that recorded at Diarbekr
and Urfeh respectively.
_ rail ^.i ow tmperatuies occur at all these stations annually, the
mean daily minimum being 264° F. at Diarbekr and 82° F. at Mosul
» anuaiy, 3ut occasionally much lower readings are recorded. The
mean monthly minimum in January is 27-1° F. at Urfeh, 19-2 0 F. at