Climate

It is important to understand what kind of climate you will meet in Mongolia.  The mean elevation of Mongolia is about 1400 meters above sea level (5000 ft), which enhances the sharp continental climate. Mongolia has the highest atmospheric pressure in the World and the pronounced elevation – and the distance from the moderating effects of the oceans – makes Ulaanbaatar the coldest capital city on Earth. This fact does not rule out extreme heat waves in the middle of the summer. Heat waves have in the last two years, during specifically hot days in the end of June and early July also carried with it large quantities of flies and horse flies in forested areas. Due to warmer previous winter, this enhances survival conditions for such insects.

In Mongolia the Central Asian desert zones meet with the Siberian taiga, hence, Mongolia is a transition zone with climatic extremes.  Most of the year it is very cold, especially at night.  Precipitation is low and skies are usually clear during the wintertime.

Summers, however, are very pleasant just as in the US and Europe. There is a short rainy season in July and August during which most of the annual rain will fall.  Around 70 percent of all precipitation falls during these three summer months.  When raining it tend be heavier and shorter, if extended it may cause floods locally. Occasional strong winds can come and go quickly.

Spring and fall pass very quickly. Even if this sounds like a lot, precipitation during the summertime it is just about the same as in Europe at the equivalent time.

Mongolia is known as the Land of the Blue Sky and throughout the year, there are 278 sunny days and 9-23 cloudy days.
All in all, the weather pattern is very variable over short periods of time.