Konya is on the high Anatolian plateau, more than 1,000 metres above sea level, and the climate is harsh: hot dry summers, cold snowy winters, very little rain at any time of year.
Spring (April–early June) and autumn (September–October) are by far the best seasons. Daytime temperatures are pleasant, the surrounding plains are green in spring with wildflowers, and the skies are typically clear. Summer is dry and very hot — over 35°C is common in July and August — though the lack of humidity makes it more bearable than the coast. Winter brings real cold and occasional heavy snow; the city looks beautiful under it but moving around is slower.
The single biggest event is the Şeb-i Arus (Wedding Night) festival in mid-December, marking the anniversary of Rumi's death. The city fills with Sufis from across the Islamic world, the Mevlana Cultural Centre runs sema performances every night for a week, and hotel prices roughly double. Booking ahead is essential.
Ramadan, whenever it falls in the calendar, changes the rhythm of the city. Restaurants are closed during daylight hours and open with great cheer at sunset; the streets are quiet by day and packed in the evening. Konya is more observant than coastal cities, and visiting during Ramadan is an experience worth having for the iftar (breaking-of-the-fast) atmosphere on Mevlana Square.