"ملاحظات عن الجيش الإيراني" [و‎‎١‎٠] (٧٠/١٩)

5
The principal unvarying features of this climate are :—
(t) A moderate range of temperatures, 90°F. being a maximum
rarely exceeded in summer, while frost in winter is unusual.
(n) Diminution of the rainfall from N. W. to S. E., the annual
rainfall at Resht averaging from 50 to 60 inches and at Asterabad a
little under 20 inches.
(in) Excessive humidity and heavy dews from June to mid Sep
tember due to evaporation caused by the sun’s rays, the naturally
swampy nature of the soil being intensified by the flooding of the rice
fields at this season.
The damp sticky heat is relaxing and the humidity so great that
in the past local inhabitants used to sleep on raised platforms. Living
conditions have, however, been much improved by the building of
brick houses.
Malaria is prevalent and it has been remarked that “ in the same
parallel of latitude there is not a more unhealthy strip of country in
the world ”. Horse flies abound in summer. Motor lorries usually
prefer to travel by night in the summer months.
From November to mid-April the climate is temperate.
The spring and autumn are cool but enervating.
(b) The Iranian plateau.
The main characteristics are :—
(i) A small rainfall and an intensely dry clear atmosphere which
is, on the whole, stimulating and healthy.
(ii) Regular seasons as in England but with sudden transitions
from spring to summer and from summer to autumn.
(Hi) A great range of temperature due to Iran’s inland situation.
(iv) A sun powerful at all altitudes.
The maximum and minimum temperatures are about 105°F. in
July and about 20 °F. in February. In the southern and south eastern
portions of the plateau a higher maximum, and among the high hills
of the north and north west a lower maximum is experienced. The
yearly rainfall averages about 8 inches, though in parts of the desert
and in the south east of the plateau it is as low as 2 inches. A little
rain falls in November. Snow may be expected in December,
January and February, and most of the year’s rainfall occurs in March
and April.