'Military report on Tehran and adjacent Provinces of North-West Persia (including the Caspian Littoral)' [‎88v] (181/610)

144
Owing to its situation between latitudes 38° and 35° it comes
under the category of subtropical, but actually, owing to the
altitude, it is for the most part cooler than this classification
would imply.
Its general characteristics resemble the climate of Quetta
and are:—
1. A small rainfall and intensely dry, clear atmosphere,
which is on the whole stimulating and healthy.
2. Regular seasons as in England but with sudden transi
tions from spring to summer and frdm summer to
autumn.
3. A great range of temperature due to its inland (con
tinental) position.
4. A Southern sun powerful at all altitudes.
These general characteristics prevail throughout and the cli
mate differs only in detail and degree according to the altitude.
Tehran occupies a central position at 3,800' and is th eonly
place for which meteorological observations are available.
It is lower lying than, most of the plateau section but the
climate of other places may be judged roughly by reference to
it, allowing on an* average a decrease of 5* in temperature per
increase of 1,000' in altitude, and vice versa a corresponding
increase in temperature down to 2,000'. Below 2,000', i.e., in the
Kizil Uzun and Shahrud valleys, there is no further increase.
The meteorological observations given in section (/) below
show that from May to October, inclusive, the rainfall is practi
cally nil.
July and August are the hottest months, - but owing to the
intense dryness the average maximum temperature of 105° is
much less trying than the average maximum of 90° in the
Caspian provinces. The average minimum temperature does
not exceed 73-4 in July and the cool nights are most refreshing.
The dust and glare of the bare sunbaked hills and plains’
and the flies bred in the filth of the towns and villages are the
worst features of a summer on the plateau.
The proximity of the mountain ranges affords a choice of
summer resorts, and the plateau climate at this season may be
* Proximity to the Elburz and the cool IV. W. wind blowing across it makes
the North East of this area cooler than the North West. Local variations are
numerous, e.g., Tehran’s sheltered position makes the winter much milder than
at Kazvin, while Robat Karim which is 25 miles distant from Tehran and about
the same elevation but exposed, is very cold.
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