Lebanon Weather Radar

Lebanon climate

Lebanon's geography creates a remarkable diversity of weather within a country smaller than many metropolitan areas. The narrow coastal strip along the Mediterranean enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate with hot, humid summers and mild, rainy winters, while the Mount Lebanon range rising to over 3,000 meters just kilometers inland receives heavy snowfall that sustains ski resorts from December through April. This dramatic elevation change means it is possible to ski in the mountains and swim in the sea on the same day.

The Bekaa Valley, nestled between the Mount Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon ranges, has a semi-arid continental climate with hotter summers and colder winters than the coast. Annual rainfall varies enormously across short distances, from over 1,000mm on the western mountain slopes to less than 200mm in the northern Bekaa. Winter storms sweeping in from the Mediterranean can be intense, bringing heavy rain to the coast and deep snow to the mountains in rapid succession.

Beirut experiences warm, humid summers with temperatures around 30°C and virtually no rainfall from June through September, followed by a mild, wet winter averaging 15°C with frequent rainstorms. The Cedars region at high elevation can receive several meters of accumulated snowfall during winter. Spring and autumn are pleasant transition seasons along the coast, though the khamsin wind occasionally brings oppressive heat and dust from the interior desert, temporarily raising temperatures by 10-15°C above normal.