Uzbekistan’s geology, minerals and climate

Uzbekistan’s climate is continental: clear skies, little precipitation, high evaporation, a long scorching summer, a winter cold for this latitude, and big yearly and daily temperature ranges. Climate is set by solar radiation, atmospheric circulation and relief: on 22 June the Sun stands about 71° above the horizon at Nukus, 72° at Tashkent and 76° at Termez, so the Sun shines 3000–3100 hours a year in the south and 2500–2800 hours in the north. Because the north and north-west are open, cold air enters in winter, while the south is ringed by mountains that stop warm tropical air. The annual mean temperature is about +11°C at Nukus, +13–14°C at Tashkent and +17–18°C at Termez; the July mean is +26 to +30°C on the plains and +31 to +32°C in the south, and the January mean is about –10°C on the Ustyurt but above 0°C in the south. Precipitation is about 100 mm a year on the Ustyurt, Lower Amudarya and Kyzylkum, 300–550 mm on the foothills, and 800–900 mm or more on mountain slopes facing moist air; most falls in spring and winter. Local winds are the mountain-valley winds, the strong Bekabad wind blowing from Fergana towards Mirzachul, the Kokand wind in spring and autumn, and the dusty Afghan wind in Surkhandarya.