Turkey experienced its driest March in more than three decades, with nationwide rainfall averaging just 28.8 millimeters, according to data released by the Turkish State Meteorological Service.
Precipitation levels dropped 53 percent below the historical average and 59 percent compared to March 2024. The rainfall shortfall was most severe in the Aegean region, where levels were down by 79 percent relative to seasonal norms.
Several western provinces, including İzmir, Aydın, Muğla, Denizli, Manisa and parts of Antalya, saw declines exceeding 80 percent. Manisa recorded the steepest drop in the country, with precipitation 91 percent below average.
Ankara reported just 5.1 millimeters of rain — the lowest nationwide — emphasizing the widespread nature of the drought conditions. March also brought fewer rainy days, with the national average dropping to 6.4 days, compared to the 1991–2020 norm of 11.3.
While most regions saw sharp declines, a few northern districts in the eastern Anatolian provinces of Erzincan and Erzurum defied the trend, recording rainfall increases of more than 40 percent.
Regionally, the Aegean, Marmara, Central Anatolia and Black Sea areas all saw their lowest March rainfall totals since the late 1980s, raising concerns about the implications for agriculture and water supply as the country heads into the warmer months.