Darvaza gas crater
The Darvaza gas crater in the Ahal Region of Turkmenistan is a natural gas field and explosion crater with persistent natural fires that began in 1971. Sitting at an elevation of 137 meters, it ranks as the most looked-up sight in the country on English Wikipedia.
Planning a visit
Spring and autumn bring moderate temperatures to the Ahal Region. March sees daily highs of 14 °C and lows of 3 °C with 26 mm of rain, while April reaches 22 °C with lows of 10 °C. Summer months are considerably hotter, with July daily highs peaking at 37 °C and lows of 25 °C alongside minimal rainfall. Winter brings colder conditions, dropping to a low of -4 °C in January alongside highs of 4 °C.
The nearest airport is Dashoguz International Airport, located 205 km away. From the capital city of Ashgabat, the site is 256 km away.
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 37 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 4 | 7 | 14 | 22 | 29 | 35 | 37 | 35 | 28 | 20 | 12 | 6 |
| Average low, °C | -3 | -2 | 3 | 10 | 17 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 16 | 9 | 3 | -2 |
| Rainfall, mm | 8 | 15 | 26 | 19 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 9 |
| Rainy days | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
