The height of the sun continues to increase in April, resulting in longer daylight hours. However, the temperature during this period is cooler than what is typically observed in April, due to the coolness of the atmospheric layers. The average monthly temperature in April is +4.7°C in the republic, but in the mountains at an altitude of 2000 meters, it is 0°C, marking the end of winter. In some warm regions, the daily average temperature reaches 10°C in the first decade of April.

There are significant temperature differences in the first decade of April across different regions. In the mountainous regions of Gegharkunik, Kotayk, Shirak, and Aragatsotn, the average temperature ranges from +2.5°C to +3.0°C. In Lori and Tavush, it reaches +7…+8°C, and in Ararat Field and the Syunik plateau, it reaches +10…+12°C. The average temperature in the third decade is +6.6°C.

The highest average temperatures are recorded in Shirak (+17…+20°C), Lori (+20…+24°C), Tavush (+20…+25°C), Gegharkunik (+13…+17°C), Ararat Field (+25…+26°C), and Syunik (+23…+29°C).

In the high mountainous regions, the temperature can drop to -15…-20°C. Although the average temperature in the third decade is +1.5…+2.0°C higher than in the first decade, in the mountainous regions, the temperature can still reach as low as -15…-20°C. The highest registered temperatures in April were +35…+36°C in Shirak, +33…+35°C in Ararat Field, and +29…+30°C in Tavush.

Negative temperatures in the first decade of April pose a serious threat to agriculture, especially in high-altitude regions, as they hinder the growth and development of plants. In years with abnormal temperatures, the lowest recorded temperatures in April were lower than usual in 1943, 1950, 1970, 1983, 2008, and 2012. On the contrary, in April 2004, the lowest temperatures were higher than usual due to abnormal positive deviations.

The number of precipitation days in the first decade of April is 77, which accounts for 12% of the annual precipitation. The maximum number of precipitation days is recorded in high mountainous regions, with 100 days in Amberd, Garni, and Semionovka, and 60-80 days in Aragatsotn, Kotayk, and Syunik highlands. Ararat Field has 30-50 days of precipitation, and the number of sunny days is 10-15.

In high mountainous regions above 2000 meters, snow or traces of snow can still be observed. The last snowy landscapes were recorded in 1963, 1978, 1984, 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2011, while there were no snow coverings recorded in 1943, 1950, 1970, 1983, 2008, and 2012.

In the past three decades, precipitation in April has increased by an average of 2-3 degrees from the norms, and the number of precipitation days is close to the norm. Atmospheric humidity in April is 60-75% overall, and 55-60% in Ararat Field. The month is characterized by active cloudiness and occasional fogs, with an average of 3-5 foggy days.

The monthly average temperature forecast for April is 2-3 degrees higher than normal, and the number of precipitation days is close to normal.

This article was originally published in Armenian news – NEWS.am.