The Fergana natural-geographic district

Because the valley is ringed by mountains, they hinder cold air from the north and north-east and moist air from the west. So summers are hot, dry and long (July mean +26…+27°C, hottest up to +43…+44°C), and winters are moderate but sometimes cold down to –26…–30°C. The growing season is 230–240 days and the temperature sum 4400–4500°C. Precipitation is 80–250 mm in the west and 300–400 mm in the eastern foothills and adir. In winter the Bekabad wind blows from the valley towards Mirzachol, and in spring and autumn the Kokand wind blows from Mirzachol into the valley. The largest rivers are the Naryn, Karadarya and Syrdarya: the Naryn and Karadarya join near Baliqchi to form the Syrdarya. From the Alay and Turkestan mountains in the south begin the Sokh, Isfara, Shakhimardan and Isfayramsay, whose flow is highest in July–September. Meadow and saline soils occur in the central lowland, sandy loam and sand in sandy areas, and grey soils on the adir. On saline land sora and tamarisk grow, on sand saxaul and calligonum, in floodplains willow and reed; on the adir sedge and brome bloom in spring. Among the sand live lizards, ground squirrels and jerboas, and in the tugai pheasants, geese and ducks.