Significant Influx of Tropical Warm Air Currents from the Arabian Peninsula into Armenia

According to the Hydro-meteorological and Monitoring Center, April is one of the wettest months in our country. The atmospheric circulation is dominated by cyclones penetrating from the west, southwest, and sometimes from the south, bringing abundant precipitation.

There is also an active circulation of warm and dry air currents. Especially during the first ten days of April, arctic cold air currents could penetrate our country, bringing a sharp drop in temperature and precipitation in the form of snow in mountainous and pre-mountainous areas.

The average amount of precipitation in April is 77 mm, which accounts for 12% of the annual rainfall. The maximum amount of precipitation is recorded in mountainous regions, reaching up to 100 mm, while relatively less precipitation is recorded in the Ararat Plain, ranging from 30-50 mm. Moreover, this amount is distributed evenly throughout the month, with the number of rainy days accounting for 10-15 days. In high mountain regions, precipitation is observed in the form of snow or wet snow.

The wettest Aprils have been recorded in 1963, 1978, 1984, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2020, when precipitation reached double and triple the monthly norm. Drier Aprils were noted in 1943, 1950, 1970, 1983, 2008, and 2012, when precipitation amounted to only 5-10 percent of the monthly norm in certain areas of the republic.

Regarding April 2024, starting from April 16, the atmospheric circulation in the republic has changed dramatically. Cyclonic activity has gradually weakened, while the influx of tropical warm air currents from the Arabian Peninsula has significantly increased, resulting in a temperature background approximately 6-10 degrees above the norm for this time of year and a weather pattern with minimal precipitation throughout Armenia.

From April 17-22, the maximum daytime temperatures recorded in several regions of the republic exceeded historical values ever observed. No significant changes in the meteorological situation are expected in the upcoming seven days—dry weather is anticipated, and moreover, the air temperature is expected to continue rising by an additional 4-6 degrees from April 25-29.