Erzincan has a continental climate: very cold winters with reliable snow, hot dry summers, and short brilliant springs and autumns. The town's elevation of around 1,200 metres softens the summer heat — average highs in July hover near 30°C but nights cool sharply.
The best windows are May to early June, when the plain is green and the wildflowers are at their peak, and September to mid-October, when the apricot harvest is in and the air is clear. July and August are good for outdoor activities including whitewater rafting on the Karasu. Winter (December-February) is for skiers and ice climbers; the Ergan Dağı resort south of town runs from December to early April when conditions cooperate.