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The summers of 1998, 2000, 2006 and 2010 were
extremely warm, indicating an increase in extremely
warm temperatures since the 1990s (MoNP 2015).
This is supported by precipitation data which shows
that the climate in Armenia has generally become
drier. Observations between 1935 and 1996 indicate
a 6 per cent reduction in precipitation, and almost
10 per cent between 1935 and 2012. This reduction
is not, however, evenly distributed throughout the
country. While the northeastern and central regions
(Ararat valley) have become more arid, precipitation
in the southern, northwest and western part of the
Lake Sevan Basin has increased over the observation
period. The number of days with heavy precipitation
and hailstorms has increased due to changes in
global atmospheric circulations (MoNP 2015).
Azerbaijan – Warmer and drier
Between 1991 and 2001, the mean annual
temperature in Azerbaijan increased by 0.4°C.
Annually, this increase is three times as high as
the temperature increase of 0.36°C that occurred
between 1961 and 1990. Precipitation has decreased
significantly throughout the country. On average,
annual precipitation has decreased by 9 per cent
over the past decade, although some areas have been
more affected than others. Compared to the period
1961–1990, precipitation declined by 17.7 per cent
in Ganja-Gazakh, 17.1 per cent in Nakhchivan,
14.3 per cent in the Kura-Ara(k)s lowland,
6.4 per cent in Shaki-Zagatala, 2.6 per cent in
Guba-Kachmaz, and 1.2 per cent in the southern
region (MoENR 2010).
Georgia – Warmer and wetter/drier
The Likhi Ridge that runs down the centre of Georgia
has given the country two distinct climates – a
humid climate in the west and a dry climate in the
east. The observed changes to the climate, therefore,
differ between east and west. Regardless of this,
temperatures throughout Georgia have increased
between 1961–1985 and 1986–2010. Temperatures
in the west warmed by 0.3°C, while mean annual
temperature increased by 0.4–0.5°C in the east.
Precipitation, on the other hand, has generally
increased in the west and decreased on the Likhi
Ridge and areas to the east. In the west, the mountain
zone of Svaneti and the mountain area of Adjara
have both seen increases of about 14 per cent in
precipitation (MoENRP 2015).
Data presented in the adaptation strategy for Upper
Svaneti indicate that the average annual temperature
at Mestia, located at an altitude of 1 441 metres above
sea level (m.a.s.l), has increased by 0.3°C between
the periods of 1961–1985 and 1986–2010. Summers
have seen the highest increases in temperature
(+0.7°C), compared to winters which have become
slightly colder (–0.1°C). Mestia receives about
918 mm of precipitation annually. A comparison
between the two periods indicates a 10 per cent
increase in precipitation, with winters becoming
substantially wetter (+30 per cent) and summers
drier (–8 per cent) (UNDP 2014a).
Blossoming peach orchard in Azerbaijan