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| Climate map showing climate trends in Albania |
Albania has a Mediterranean climate with dry and hot Summer, with big sunshine and in general with and wet cool Winter.
However, the relief that is quite diverse, with varying altitudes above sea level, differing orientations of hills and mountain ranges, particularly the mountain ranges, and the unequal influence of the sea and the continent, have led to significant changes in the climate across different regions of the country. From southwest to northeast, and from west to east, the summers transition from scorching heat to a pleasant mountain coolness, while winters shift from mild weather to a severe, frosty climate.
The annual average temperature ranges from 7.5°C in the north and northeast to 17.5°C along the Albanian Riviera. Inland, January temperatures range from -3°C to +2°C, often dipping to -5°C, -10°C, and even lower, reaching a minimum of approximately -26.9°C, marking the lowest temperature ever recorded in Albania. On the western side, January temperatures vary from 5°C to 10°C, rising to 10°C in the Riviera. Here, the vegetation period is almost uninterrupted, with only a few days of interruption.
In the Western Depression, the Riviera, and most parts of the country at low to medium altitudes above sea level, the average July temperature ranges from 16.8°C to 20°C, with daily maximums often exceeding 27-30°C. Like all other Mediterranean countries, Albania is known for its high number of sunny days, accounting for about 88-90% of the year's days. Throughout the year, sunshine hours range from 2046 hours (in Kukes) to 2730 hours (in Fier).
In the depression regions, especially along the coast, cloudy or rainy days during the summer are exceptionally rare. The annual average rainfall is about 1480 mm, and these substantial rainfall amounts are mainly associated with the mountainous terrain and the northwest-southeast orientation of the mountain ranges. Due to the varying elevations and the rugged relief, rainfall exhibits irregular geographical distribution. The annual average precipitation ranges from 600-700 mm to over 3100 mm in the western part of the Alps (Boge). About 60-80% of the rainfall occurs during the colder half of the year and is concentrated over a few days. This rainfall pattern is characterized by significant year-to-year fluctuations in the quantity of precipitation and variations across different months and seasons.
This irregular distribution of rainfall can lead to the development of droughts during the summer, which can also extend into other seasons, and increased moisture during the colder half of the year. Both droughts and excessive moisture can be detrimental to the economy. As a result, irrigation and drainage channels have been established, and water retention systems have been constructed. Additionally, Albania experiences snowfall, ranging from just one day of snowfall in the western part of the country to up to 100 days in high mountain regions.