Herāt's Climate
Herāt lies in western Afghanistan on a high plateau beside the Hari Rud river valley, around 920m above sea level near the Iranian border. The city has a cold semi-arid continental climate with a wide seasonal temperature swing and little rainfall. Summers (June–August) are hot, dry and sunny, usually 34–38°C, and famous for the strong, hot, dust-laden 'wind of 120 days,' while winters (December–February) are cold, with nights often below freezing and occasional snow. Rain is scarce and concentrated in winter and early spring. Spring and autumn are brief, mild transitions.